Overview
Calumet County is located in Wisconsin with a population of approximately 53,602. The Calumet County Circuit Court (specifically the Register in Probate) handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Wisconsin probate is governed by Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 851-882. The process often begins with filing a Petition for Administration (Form PR-1801) to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Domiciliary Letters for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Simplified Procedures: Wisconsin offers a Transfer by Affidavit procedure for estates valued at $50,000 or less. This allows heirs to collect assets without full court supervision.
Fees: Wisconsin has a statutory filing fee based on the value of the estate (0.2% of the inventory value).
This guide provides an informational overview of the Calumet County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Calumet County Courthouse
Probate matters in Calumet County are handled at the Calumet County Courthouse.
Address: 206 Court St, Chilton, WI 53014
Phone: (920) 849-1455 (Register in Probate)
Toll-Free: (833) 620-2730
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Register in Probate office is located within the courthouse and assists with the administrative aspects of estate proceedings.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available near the courthouse in Chilton. Visitors pass through security screening upon entry.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Transfer by Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $50,000 or less, you may be able to use the Transfer by Affidavit (Form PR-1831) to collect assets without opening a court case.
- Survivorship/Beneficiary Designations: Assets with named beneficiaries (POD/TOD) or held in joint tenancy pass directly to the survivor.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal or informal administration is needed, file a Petition for Administration (Form PR-1801) with the Calumet County Register in Probate. Include:
- Original Will and codicils (if any)
- Certified death certificate
- Order for Hearing and Notice (if formal)
- Filing fee (based on estate value)
E-filing: Wisconsin Circuit Courts require mandatory e-filing for attorneys and offer it for self-represented litigants.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Calumet County (such as the Tri-County News) for three successive weeks if required by the court.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
For formal probate, the court will schedule a hearing. For informal probate, the Register in Probate may approve the petition without a hearing if all waivers are signed. Upon approval, the court issues Domiciliary Letters.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Publish notice to creditors (setting a 3-4 month claim deadline)
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets and file the Inventory with the court (filing fee of 0.2% is due at this time)
- Pay valid creditor claims and taxes
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate (Form PR-1816) or petition for final judgment
Local Requirements
Calumet County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for attorneys; encouraged for pro se litigants via the Wisconsin Circuit Court eFiling system.
- Inventory Fee: A filing fee of 0.2% of the net value of the property subject to administration is due when the Inventory is filed.
- Publication: Notice is typically published in the Tri-County News or Appleton Post-Crescent.
- Bond: The court may require a surety bond unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries agree to waive it.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Calumet County)
- Petition for Administration: $20 (if estate ≤ $10,000) or 0.2% of value (if > $10,000)
- Inventory Fee: 0.2% of the value of property subject to administration
- Certified copies: $3.00 certification fee + $1.00 per page
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$300 depending on the newspaper
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, and credit/debit cards (convenience fees apply).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates: 6-12 months
- Average estates: 9-15 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
Wisconsin law generally requires estates to be closed within 18 months unless an extension is granted.
Local Resources
Calumet County Court Resources
- Court Website: Calumet County Register in Probate
- Probate Self-Help: Wisconsin Court System Self-Help
- Wisconsin Probate Forms: Circuit Court Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral: wisbar.org
- Legal Action of Wisconsin: (855) 947-2529 — Civil legal aid for low-income residents
Publication
- Tri-County News: (920) 898-6621 — Local legal notices
- Appleton Post-Crescent: (920) 993-1000 — Regional circulation