How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a small estate case (WI)
Detailed Answer: How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a small estate case in Wisconsin This FAQ-style guide explains, in plain language, how someone in Wisconsin can prepare and submit an affidavit to collect or account for a decedent’s personal property in a small estate situation. This is an educational overview only […]
Read article →What records are needed to show asset transfers under small estate procedures in Wisconsin (WI)
Detailed Answer Short answer: Under Wisconsin small‑estate procedures you will need records that prove the decedent’s death, identify the heirs or beneficiaries, show the existence and value of the property being claimed, and demonstrate your legal authority to collect or transfer those assets. Typical records include a certified death certificate, the decedent’s will (if any), […]
Read article →WI: What are the legal requirements and process for transferring a decedent’s firearms during probate?
How to Transfer a Decedent’s Firearms During Probate in Wisconsin Detailed Answer When someone dies in Wisconsin, their firearms are part of the decedent’s personal property and must be handled through the estate administration process. The personal representative (executor or administrator) has the authority—and the responsibility—to inventory, secure, and distribute estate property in accordance with […]
Read article →What documentation is needed to prove ownership when filing a surplus funds claim in WI?
Detailed Answer Short answer: To prove ownership when filing a surplus funds claim in Wisconsin you generally need: a government photo ID for the claimant, a recorded deed or other recorded title document showing ownership (or certified copies), and, if claiming as someone other than the recorded owner, additional documents showing your authority (probate letters, […]
Read article →How to protect life insurance proceeds when there is no named beneficiary from creditor claims in WI
What to do in Wisconsin if a life insurance policy has no named beneficiary and you want to protect proceeds from creditor claims Detailed answer — how Wisconsin treats life insurance with no beneficiary and practical protection steps When a decedent dies and a life insurance policy has no living named beneficiary (for example, there […]
Read article →What should I do if an heir refuses to return estate property while the estate is still open (WI)
What to do if an heir refuses to return estate property while the estate is still open Short answer: Act promptly. Notify the personal representative, document the property and refusal, send a written demand, and—if needed—ask the probate court to order turnover or authorize a civil action (replevin/Conversion). Consider mediation and criminal reporting in extreme […]
Read article →What options do heirs have when an estate administrator becomes unresponsive or refuses to distribute assets? (WI)
Detailed Answer — What can heirs do if an estate administrator in Wisconsin becomes unresponsive or refuses to distribute assets? When an estate administrator (also called a personal representative) stops communicating or refuses to distribute assets, heirs and beneficiaries have several court-based and practical options under Wisconsin law. This FAQ explains typical next steps, the […]
Read article →How do I apply to be appointed as the personal representative of a deceased relative’s estate in WI?
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation differs. Consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney before making legal decisions. Detailed Answer — How to apply to be appointed personal representative in Wisconsin In Wisconsin the person who handles a deceased person's estate for probate is called the personal representative. If you […]
Read article →How Can Heirs Petition to Reopen a Closed Estate in Wisconsin to Claim Unclaimed Assets?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney for guidance on your specific circumstances. Detailed Answer Under Wisconsin law, heirs may petition the circuit court to reopen a closed probate estate when previously undiscovered assets or errors arise. The governing statute is Wis. Stat. […]
Read article →What is the process for inventorying and distributing estate assets among multiple heirs in Wisconsin?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer 1. Appointment of a Personal Representative After a person dies, the court appoints a personal representative (PR). The PR often appears in the decedent’s will. If the will names no PR or if there is no will, heirs may petition […]
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