Mortgage Payments and Utility Bills During Probate in Wisconsin
Detailed Answer When a person dies in Wisconsin and their estate enters probate, mortgage payments and utility bills do not automatically stop. Responsibility depends on who holds title to the property, whether a personal representative (the person appointed by the court to administer the estate) has been appointed, and whether estate funds are available to […]
Read article →Wisconsin: How to Decide Which Assets to List on a Small-Estates Affidavit
How to Decide Which Assets to List on a Wisconsin Small-Estates Affidavit Quick summary: A small-estates affidavit lets someone collect certain property of a person who died without formal probate when the estate is small. Decide what to list by looking at ownership, beneficiary designations, title language, and what the receiving institution will accept. Disclaimer […]
Read article →Finding a Missing Parent During Probate in Wisconsin
Step-by-step guidance for locating a missing parent when you are next of kin in Wisconsin This guide explains practical steps and Wisconsin-specific resources to find a parent who cannot be located while you are involved in a probate matter. It assumes no prior legal knowledge and focuses on actions a family member or potential heir […]
Read article →Wisconsin: Do Survivorship Assets Need to Be Included on a Probate Inventory?
Detailed Answer Short answer: in most cases under Wisconsin practice, assets that pass automatically to another person by right of survivorship (for example, joint bank accounts titled in the decedent and another person as joint tenants with right of survivorship, certain joint real estate titles, or assets with a named beneficiary or payable-on-death designation) are […]
Read article →Wisconsin: How to Confirm a Bank Account Is Under $20,000 for the Small-Estates Process
Understanding Whether an Account Qualifies for Wisconsin Small-Estates Procedures Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article provides general information about Wisconsin procedures and is not legal advice. For legal advice about a specific situation, contact a Wisconsin attorney. Detailed answer — how to determine if an account is under the $20,000 small-estate threshold In […]
Read article →Using a Small Estate Affidavit in Wisconsin to Claim a Deceased Parent’s Bank Account
Detailed Answer Important: This explanation covers Wisconsin law. This is general information only and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney or your local probate court for advice about your situation. What a small estate affidavit is and when it helps A small estate affidavit (sometimes called an affidavit for collection of personal property) […]
Read article →Wisconsin: Do I Need to File a Federal Tax Return for the Estate?
Federal tax filing for an estate under Wisconsin law: what to check Detailed answer: which federal estate or fiduciary returns might be required There are two different kinds of federal returns commonly called "estate" returns. Which one (if any) you must file depends on what type of tax obligation exists, not on whether assets were […]
Read article →How to Transfer Brokerage Assets Into an Estate Checking Account in Wisconsin
Detailed Answer This article explains, in plain language, how assets held at a broker-dealer are collected into the estate’s bank account after a Wisconsin resident dies. It covers who must act, what documents brokers and banks typically require, special cases (joint accounts, transfer-on-death, retirement accounts), and practical steps a personal representative can follow. This is […]
Read article →Wisconsin — Finding Out Where Proceeds from a Deceased Parent’s Home Sale Will Go
Detailed Answer If a house owned by your father has been sold (or is about to be sold), you likely want to know who is entitled to the sale proceeds and in what order creditors and heirs get paid. Under Wisconsin practice, the answer depends on who actually owned the house at the time of […]
Read article →Wisconsin: Can a Prenuptial Agreement Change a Life Estate or Your Inheritance — and What to Do If the Executor Won’t Share It
Overview This FAQ explains how a premarital (prenuptial) agreement can affect life estate provisions or an heir’s expected share under Wisconsin law, and the steps you can take if the estate’s executor refuses to provide a copy of the agreement. This is educational information only and not legal advice. If you need formal legal help, […]
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