Quick answer: Wisconsin is one of the simpler and cheaper states for probate. Costs are a 2% PR fee, a 0.2% filing fee, attorney fees if used, and no state estate or inheritance tax. On a $500,000 estate that's about $10,000 (PR) + $1,000 (filing) + any attorney fee. Get your own figure with the Wisconsin probate cost calculator.
The costs, line by line
1. Personal representative fee — 2% by statute
Under Wis. Stat. § 857.05(2), the PR fee is 2% of the inventory value (less mortgages and liens, plus net principal gains), subject to court approval. Parties can agree to a different rate in writing.
Family-member PRs often waive the fee, since it is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
2. Attorney fees — just and reasonable
No statutory percentage (Wis. Stat. § 851.40). Informal estates often use no attorney; formal administration requires one. See Wisconsin probate attorney fees.
3. Court filing fee — 0.2%, no cap
Under Wis. Stat. § 814.66, the filing fee is $20 on estates of $10,000 or less, and 0.2% of the inventory value above that, with no cap. Details in our Wisconsin filing fees guide.
Worked examples by estate size
Assumes the 2% PR fee, informal administration with a modest attorney fee, and the 0.2% filing fee:
| Estate value | PR fee (2%) | Filing (0.2%) | Attorney (informal) | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $2,000 | $200 | $1,500 | ≈ $3,950 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 | ≈ $14,250 |
| $1,000,000 | $20,000 | $2,000 | $4,500 | ≈ $26,750 |
Includes $100 publication + $150 misc. If the PR waives the fee or you use no attorney (informal), subtract those. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
How to reduce Wisconsin probate costs
- Use Transfer by Affidavit for solely owned probate property up to $50,000 (Wis. Stat. § 867.03) — no attorney, no waiting period.
- Use informal administration — no attorney required.
- PR waives the 2% fee if a family member and heir.
- A living trust or marital property agreement avoids probate entirely.