Overview
Dunn County is located in Wisconsin with a population of approximately 46,135. The Dunn County Circuit Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Wisconsin probate is governed by Chapter 851 et seq. of the Wisconsin Statutes. The process begins with filing a Petition for Administration (Form PR-1801) to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Transfer by Affidavit is available for estates valued at $50,000 or less. This simplified procedure allows heirs to collect assets without full court supervision after a 30-day waiting period.
Statutory Fees: Wisconsin charges a "probate filing fee" of 0.2% of the net value of the estate, typically paid when the inventory is filed.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Dunn 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
Dunn County Judicial Center
Probate matters in Dunn County are handled at the Dunn County Judicial Center.
Address: 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1500, Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: (715) 232-6782 (Register in Probate)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Register in Probate office is located in the Judicial Center. It is recommended to call ahead to schedule an appointment for filing new probate matters.
Parking and Access
There is a public parking lot available at the Judicial Center. The upper parking lot provides the most direct access to the courthouse entrance. Security screening is required 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 this simplified form to transfer assets without opening a court case.
- Survivorship/Beneficiary Designations: Assets with named beneficiaries (POD/TOD) or held in joint tenancy pass outside of probate.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Administration (Form PR-1801) with the Dunn County Register in Probate. Include:
- Original Will (if applicable)
- Certified Death Certificate
- Order for Hearing and Notice (Form PR-1803)
- Filing fee (typically $20 to open, with the 0.2% inventory fee due later)
Electronic filing (eFiling) is mandatory for attorneys and optional for self-represented litigants in Wisconsin circuit courts.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties at least 20 days before the hearing.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Dunn County (such as The Colfax Messenger or The Dunn County News) for three successive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the petition. At the hearing, the judge or probate registrar reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Letters Testamentary (or Letters of Administration).
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors by publication (creditors typically have 3-4 months to file claims).
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets and file the Inventory with the court within 4 months.
- Pay the probate filing fee (0.2% of estate value) based on the inventory.
- Pay valid creditor claims and taxes.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a final accounting and Estate Receipt to close the estate.
Local Requirements
Dunn County-Specific Procedures
- eFiling: Wisconsin utilizes a mandatory eFiling system for attorneys. Self-represented parties may opt in to eFile or file paper documents.
- Inventory Fee: The statutory fee of 0.2% of the estate's net value is strictly enforced and must be paid before the estate can be closed.
- Publication: The Colfax Messenger is the official newspaper for legal notices in Dunn County, though The Dunn County News is also commonly used.
- Appointment: The Register in Probate often requests that you call (715) 232-6782 to schedule an appointment before coming in to open a new estate.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Dunn County)
- Petition for Administration: $20.00 (if estate > $10,000, the 0.2% fee applies later)
- Inventory Filing Fee: 0.2% of the net value of the property subject to administration
- Certified copies of Letters: $3.00 for certification + $1.00 per page
- Claims against the estate: $3.00 filing fee
- Publication costs: Approximately $150-$300 depending on the newspaper
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (service fees apply for cards).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates: 6-12 months
- Creditor Claim Period: 3-4 months from date of order/publication
- Inventory Deadline: 4 months from appointment
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2 years
Local Resources
Dunn County Court Resources
- Court Website: dunncountywi.gov
- Probate Self-Help: Wisconsin Court System Self-Help
- Wisconsin Probate Forms: wicourts.gov Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral: wisbar.org
- Judicare Legal Aid: (800) 472-1638 — Serving northern Wisconsin residents
Publication
- The Colfax Messenger: (715) 962-3535 — Official Newspaper
- The Dunn County News: (715) 235-3131