Wisconsin: Enforcing or Disputing an Oral Agreement to Divide Wrongful-Death Proceeds
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For guidance about your specific situation, consult a Wisconsin attorney. Detailed Answer When a wrongful-death recovery exists in Wisconsin, the decedent’s personal representative normally brings the action and controls settlement and distribution of proceeds on behalf of the estate and statutory beneficiaries. […]
Read article →How to Apply to Serve as Administrator (Personal Representative) of a Parent’s Estate — Wisconsin
Can I apply to serve as administrator (personal representative) of my mother’s estate in Wisconsin when she died without a will? Short answer: Yes — if your mother died intestate (without a will) you can ask the probate court to appoint you as the estate’s personal representative (often called an administrator). The court will follow […]
Read article →Do I Have to Post a Bond to Serve as Administrator in Wisconsin?
Do I Have to Post a Bond to Serve as Administrator in Wisconsin? Short answer: Under Wisconsin law a personal representative (administrator or executor) will generally need to file a bond unless the requirement is waived by the decedent’s will or by the interested persons and the court approves the waiver. The court can still […]
Read article →Wisconsin: Selling an Estate Home Facing Foreclosure When a Co‑Administrator Refuses to Sign
What to do when an estate home is facing foreclosure and a co-administrator refuses to sign Not legal advice. This article explains options under Wisconsin law to help you understand next steps and whether you should consult a probate or real estate attorney quickly. Detailed answer — how the sale process works and options when […]
Read article →How to Get Court Approval to Release Estate Funds During a Dispute — Wisconsin
FAQ: Getting Court Approval to Release Estate Funds When Parties Disagree (Wisconsin) Short answer: If beneficiaries or claimants dispute how estate money should be split, the personal representative (executor) should seek the probate court’s direction—either by asking for interim distributions of uncontested funds, filing a petition for instructions or approval of proposed distributions, or depositing […]
Read article →Wisconsin — Who Gets Leftover Proceeds After a Parent’s Home Is Sold?
Detailed Answer Short answer: Usually, yes — once a deceased person’s debts, taxes, and administration costs are paid, any remaining money from the sale of a home becomes part of that person’s estate and is distributed according to the will (or by Wisconsin’s intestacy rules if there is no valid will). However, several common exceptions […]
Read article →Wisconsin: Can I Reimburse Myself for Paying a Decedent's Vehicle Lien?
Detailed Answer Short answer: Often yes — you can seek reimbursement from the decedent's estate if you personally paid a vehicle lien to protect an asset that belongs to the estate, but whether and how you get paid depends on (1) whether the vehicle is a probate asset, (2) whether you are the personal representative […]
Read article →Wisconsin: How Remaining Estate Funds Are Distributed to a Decedent’s Children
Detailed Answer — How distribution to children works in Wisconsin This guide explains, in plain language, the common steps a personal representative (executor or administrator) follows to distribute the remaining estate funds to the decedent’s children after taxes, creditor claims, and administration expenses are paid. It describes typical timelines, paperwork, what the court usually requires, […]
Read article →Wisconsin: Do Administrators Need to Post a Bond for an Intestate Estate?
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Wisconsin, the court generally requires a personal representative (an administrator for an intestate estate) to post a bond or other security before taking control of estate assets. The court can reduce, increase, or waive that bond in certain circumstances, but a waiver is not automatic. This article explains when a […]
Read article →Wisconsin: Factors Courts Consider When Appointing an Estate Administrator
How Wisconsin courts decide who will administer an estate Short answer: Wisconsin courts consider statutory priority (who has the legal right to serve), any valid nominations in a will, the proposed administrator’s fitness and availability, conflicts of interest, and whether the person will provide required bond and documentation. The court’s goal is to appoint a […]
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