Wisconsin: What Happens to Joint Bank Accounts and Jointly Held Property When Someone Dies Without a Will
Detailed answer Short answer: In Wisconsin, whether jointly held bank accounts and property pass automatically to a surviving co-owner or become part of the decedent’s probate estate depends on how the asset is titled and what legal transfer language was used. Joint accounts or property that are owned with a clear right of survivorship typically […]
Read article →Wisconsin — How to Be Appointed Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator
How to petition the Wisconsin probate court to serve as an estate administrator or co-administrator Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. Consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney for advice about a specific situation. Detailed Answer — Step-by-step guide under Wisconsin law Below are the common steps […]
Read article →Avoiding Probate in Wisconsin: Using Wills, Beneficiary Designations, and Other Tools
How to keep assets out of probate in Wisconsin using wills, beneficiary designations, and other tools Disclaimer: This is educational information only and not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a Wisconsin attorney who practices estate planning. Detailed answer — what wills and beneficiary designations do (and don’t) do in Wisconsin Short […]
Read article →How to Submit an Original Will to a Wisconsin Probate Court When You Live Out of State
Submitting an Original Will to a Wisconsin Probate Court When You Live Out of State Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article provides general information about Wisconsin probate process and is not legal advice. Contact a Wisconsin probate attorney or the county circuit court clerk for guidance specific to your situation. Detailed Answer — […]
Read article →Buying Out Siblings’ Interests in an Inherited Property — Wisconsin Guide
Keeping the Family Home in Wisconsin: A Practical FAQ on Buying Out Co-Owners Overview. This article explains how one heir can buy out siblings’ ownership interests in real property located in Wisconsin rather than forcing a sale. It covers how ownership is determined, valuation and negotiation, financing options, required documents, the deed and recording steps, […]
Read article →Buying Out Siblings’ Shares in a Parent’s House — Wisconsin Guide
Can I buy out my siblings’ shares in a parent’s house in Wisconsin instead of selling it through probate? Short answer: Often yes — but the exact steps depend on how title to the house was held, whether the estate must go through probate, and whether other heirs or creditors object. This article explains how […]
Read article →Can an Estate Recover Money Withdrawn by an Heir After a Parent’s Death? — Wisconsin FAQ
Detailed Answer Short answer: If a person withdraws money from a decedent’s bank account or uses credit cards after the owner died, the estate (through the personal representative) can often seek to recover those funds. Recovery depends on who legally owned the money after death (joint owners or named beneficiaries versus probate-only assets), whether the […]
Read article →Wisconsin — Can the Court Appoint a Guardian ad Litem for Minor Heirs Before Selling Inherited Land?
Can the Court Appoint a Guardian ad Litem for Minor Heirs Before Selling Inherited Land? Short answer: Yes — in Wisconsin probate or related court proceedings you can ask the court to appoint someone to protect the legal interests of minor heirs before real property is sold. The court will decide whether to appoint a […]
Read article →Selling an Inherited Home with Minor Co-Owners — Wisconsin: Court Approval Steps
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. Consult a Wisconsin attorney for advice about your situation. Overview If a decedent’s home is owned by multiple heirs and one or more heirs are minors, a court usually must approve any sale that affects the minor’s share. The court’s […]
Read article →Filing a One-Year Allowance Petition in Wisconsin: What to Include
Detailed Answer This FAQ explains the typical documents, facts, and steps people include when they file a petition for a one-year ("year's") allowance out of a decedent's estate in Wisconsin probate court. A year's allowance is a short-term support payment for a surviving spouse (and sometimes minor children) taken from the estate to cover living […]
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