What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Wisconsin?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Wisconsin. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal property in Wisconsin is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap); § 856.25 (bond, solely discretionary with court; will requests not binding); § 857.05(2) (2% PR commission on inventory less liens + net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing); § 859.01 (3-4 month creditor claims set by court); § 859.07 (publication, first insertion within 15 days of order); Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar); § 867.03(1g) ($50K small estate, no CPI), § 867.03(1h) (sole-named PR cannot receive real property via affidavit), § 867.03(1j) (30-day hold for sole-named PRs only) — verified against docs.legis.wisconsin.gov 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.
Yes. Wisconsin probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap); § 856.25 (bond, solely discretionary with court; will requests not binding); § 857.05(2) (2% PR commission on inventory less liens + net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing); § 859.01 (3-4 month creditor claims set by court); § 859.07 (publication, first insertion within 15 days of order); Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar); § 867.03(1g) ($50K small estate, no CPI), § 867.03(1h) (sole-named PR cannot receive real property via affidavit), § 867.03(1j) (30-day hold for sole-named PRs only) — verified against docs.legis.wisconsin.gov 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Wisconsin probate calculator to estimate total costs.
Estates with personal property under $50,000 in Wisconsin may qualify for simplified probate, which avoids full probate.Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap); § 856.25 (bond, solely discretionary with court; will requests not binding); § 857.05(2) (2% PR commission on inventory less liens + net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing); § 859.01 (3-4 month creditor claims set by court); § 859.07 (publication, first insertion within 15 days of order); Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar); § 867.03(1g) ($50K small estate, no CPI), § 867.03(1h) (sole-named PR cannot receive real property via affidavit), § 867.03(1j) (30-day hold for sole-named PRs only) — verified against docs.legis.wisconsin.gov 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Wisconsin probate need checker.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Wisconsin probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2. (filing fees: $20 ≤$10K, 0.2% over $10K, no statutory cap); § 856.25 (bond, solely discretionary with court; will requests not binding); § 857.05(2) (2% PR commission on inventory less liens + net principal gains; parties may agree to different rate in writing); § 859.01 (3-4 month creditor claims set by court); § 859.07 (publication, first insertion within 15 days of order); Ch. 865 (informal administration by probate registrar); § 867.03(1g) ($50K small estate, no CPI), § 867.03(1h) (sole-named PR cannot receive real property via affidavit), § 867.03(1j) (30-day hold for sole-named PRs only) — verified against docs.legis.wisconsin.gov 2026-05-27Verified May 27, 2026
Total probate costs in Wisconsin include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Wisconsin probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.
Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin probate need checker determines which assets require probate.
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Wisconsin Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Wisconsin probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
