Quick answer: Wisconsin's probate filing fee is 0.2% of the inventory value (two dollars per $1,000), with no cap — or a flat $20 on estates of $10,000 or less — under Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a). On a $500,000 estate that's $1,000; on $1,000,000, $2,000.
How the Wisconsin filing fee works
Wisconsin probate is filed with the Register in Probate of the Circuit Court in the county where the person lived. Unlike states with a flat fee, Wisconsin charges a percentage of the estate's inventory value — and, unusually, there is no statutory maximum, so the fee keeps rising with the estate. The rate is set statewide, so Milwaukee, Dane (Madison), Waukesha and Brown (Green Bay) all use the same 0.2%.
| Inventory value | Filing fee (0.2%) |
|---|---|
| $10,000 or less | $20 (flat) |
| $100,000 | $200 |
| $250,000 | $500 |
| $500,000 | $1,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $4,000 (no cap) |
0.2% of inventory value, no cap, under Wis. Stat. § 814.66. Confirm with the county Register in Probate before filing.
Other court-related costs
- Notice to creditors — publication in a local newspaper; roughly $60–$120. First publication within 15 days of the claims-deadline order; creditors then have 3–4 months.
- Certified copies — Domiciliary Letters and certified copies for banks and title; a few dollars each.
- Surety bond — discretionary with the court in Wisconsin (a will's request is not binding); premium ~0.5% of the estate per year if required.
- Transfer by Affidavit — for estates of $50,000 or less, a far cheaper route with a nominal or no court fee.
Where the fee sits in the total
At 0.2%, the filing fee is smaller than the 2% PR fee, but because it has no cap it grows with large estates. See the whole picture in the Wisconsin probate cost breakdown, learn about attorney fees, or estimate your total with the Wisconsin probate cost calculator.