Short answer — the basic path

When someone dies, ownership of their property moves in one of two main ways: (1) by the terms of a valid will or trust, or (2) by operation of law if there is no valid will (called intestate succession). Financial accounts and some titled assets can also pass outside probate if they have a named beneficiary or are jointly owned. In Wisconsin, the court supervises probate and appoints a personal representative to administer the estate when needed. See Wisconsin’s intestate succession statutes for the rules that apply when there is no valid will: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/852/01.

Detailed answer — practical steps to find the rightful heirs and owners

1. Check whether there is a will or trust

Start by asking close family members, the grandparent’s attorney (if known), friends, and the bank about a will or trust. People sometimes leave a copy with a lawyer or keep it in a safe-deposit box. If a will has been filed for probate, you can search Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) for probate case filings in the county where the grandparent lived: https://wcca.wicourts.gov/.

2. Get a death certificate

Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate from the local vital records office or the funeral home. Many institutions (banks, title companies, government agencies) require a certified copy to release information or transfer assets.

3. Determine how each asset is titled

Different assets transfer in different ways. Typical examples:

• Real estate: ownership depends on the deed. Check the county Register of Deeds for the deed and any recorded interests (mortgages, liens) in the county where the property sits.
• Bank and brokerage accounts: check for payable-on-death (POD), transfer-on-death (TOD), or beneficiary designations. Accounts with named beneficiaries usually pass directly to the beneficiary.
• Life insurance and retirement accounts: these pass to named beneficiaries and generally avoid probate.
• Jointly owned property: if the grandparent held property jointly with right of survivorship, the surviving joint owner often takes full ownership automatically.

4. If there is a will — open a probate case

If you find a will, it must be presented to the circuit court in the county where the decedent lived to start probate proceedings (unless the estate qualifies for a simplified or small-estate procedure). The court will appoint the person named as personal representative (executor) if the will is valid. The personal representative locates assets, notifies creditors and heirs, pays valid debts and taxes, and distributes property according to the will.

5. If there is no will — intestate succession

When there is no valid will, Wisconsin law determines who inherits. The court appoints an administrator and the estate is distributed according to intestacy rules. These rules identify heirs in a priority order (spouse and descendants are primary; if none, then parents, siblings, and so on). For the statutory framework, see Wisconsin’s intestate succession statutes: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/852/01.

6. Do a title search and check recorded documents

To confirm who owns real estate, search recorded documents at the county Register of Deeds. Look for deeds, mortgages, liens, and any documents that convey property interests. A title company, abstractor, or attorney can run a full title search and reveal hidden encumbrances or transfers.

7. Find missing or unknown heirs

If you need to locate heirs, methods include: checking vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates), obituaries, social media, genealogical records, voter registration, and public records. In contested or complicated cases, courts sometimes require notice by publication or appointment of a curator/guardian ad litem to represent missing heirs.

8. When the estate is small — simplified procedures

Wisconsin provides simplified or small-estate procedures in some situations so that full probate is not required. Whether a simplified process applies depends on the asset types and values. The county circuit court clerk or a probate attorney can advise whether you qualify.

9. Resolving disputes over ownership

If more than one person claims ownership or the title is unclear, parties may need to file a quiet-title action or a claim in probate court. These are legal actions that ask the court to declare who owns the property.

10. When to consult an attorney

Talk to a Wisconsin probate attorney if you encounter any of these problems: unclear or missing heirs, a contested will, out-of-state property, complex assets (business interests, retirement accounts with special rules), or substantial creditor claims. An attorney can explain statutory deadlines, filings, and your role as an heir or personal representative.

Helpful Hints

• Search the county where the grandparent last lived for a probate case using WCCA: https://wcca.wicourts.gov/.
• Visit the county Register of Deeds to pull deeds and recorded documents for the property’s parcel.
• Collect several certified death certificates early — you will need them to access many records and accounts.
• Check safe-deposit boxes, home files, and old mail for estate planning documents or beneficiary forms.
• Look for account statements, tax returns, and insurance policies to identify asset locations and beneficiaries.
• Keep a clear paper trail: record who you contact, what records you pull, and dates of actions taken.
• If you represent the estate in probate, file timely notices so you preserve rights and limit creditor claims; courts have deadlines.
• When a title search or unresolved dispute is involved, consider hiring a title company or attorney to avoid future problems.
• Use official resources for forms and self-help guides: Wisconsin Courts self-help pages: https://www.wicourts.gov/public/selfhelp/.