What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Wisconsin?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Wisconsin estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Wisconsin is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Wisconsin requires a court-appointed appraiser to value estate propertyWis. Stat. §§ 858.01, 858.13, 858.15, 858.17Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
No. An executor in Wisconsin can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Wisconsin, the executor files the estate inventory within 180 daysWis. Stat. §§ 858.01, 858.13, 858.15, 858.17Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Wisconsin requires a supplemental inventory for assets discovered laterWis. Stat. §§ 858.01, 858.13, 858.15, 858.17Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Wisconsin, estates valued at $50,000small estate: § 867.03Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Transfer by Affidavitsmall estate: § 867.03Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. An inventory at fair market value is what decides whether the estate falls under the line.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Wisconsin requires a court-appointed appraiser to value estate propertyWis. Stat. §§ 858.01, 858.13, 858.15, 858.17Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Wisconsin
Free forms for settling an estate in Wisconsin: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Notice to Creditors
In Wisconsin, the notice to creditors is published for 3Wis. Stat. §§ 859.01, 859.02, 859.07, 859.25 (Verified 2026-10-19)Verified Oct 19, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsWis. Stat. § 859.01 (3-4 month deadline set by court)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Wisconsin, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areWis. Stat. §§ 706.05, 706.06, 706.09(1)(i); WisDOT Form MV2300Verified Sep 24, 2026View source.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Wisconsin, the Transfer by Affidavitsmall estate: § 867.03Verified Sep 9, 2026View source covers estates valued at $50,000small estate: § 867.03Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
In Wisconsin, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysWis. Stat. §§ 858.01, 858.13, 858.15, 858.17Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Wisconsin, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsWis. Stat. §§ 865.16(2), 865.18, 863.47Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Wisconsin
Free tools for settling an estate in Wisconsin: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Wisconsin sets executor compensation by statute — about $10,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.0%Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2) (subject to court approval, a 2% commission on inventory value less mortgages/liens plus net principal gains; decedent or the majority-interest takers and the personal representative may agree to a different rate in writing; court may allow further sums for unusual difficulty or extraordinary services, and may reduce or deny compensation for dereliction of duty)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
Can I Self-File Probate?
Wisconsin has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableWis. Stat. Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Wisconsin, the Circuit Court appoints the personal representative and the Probate registrar issues Domiciliary Letters; an informal (registrar) track is availableWis. Stat. Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Wisconsin, creditors have 4 monthsWis. Stat. § 859.01 (3-4 month deadline set by court)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Wisconsin pays the claims in 8Wis. Stat. § 859.25Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with administration expenses.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Wisconsin costs an estimated $22,090Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys — estate value may not be the controlling factor)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.8%Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys — estate value may not be the controlling factor)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 2.9%Wis. Stat. § 851.40(1) (just and reasonable compensation for services under chs. 851-879, incl. ch. 865 informal administration; no statutory percentage for attorneys — estate value may not be the controlling factor)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Wisconsin Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Wisconsin probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.