It can be tempting to name all of your adult children to serve together, but that isn’t always the best way to keep your plan running smoothly. A practical alternative is to list them in order of who you think will do the best job so that only one steps in at...
Category: Estate Planning
Wisconsin Probate: How do I find missing assets during an Estate Administration in Wisconsin?
Finding missing or undisclosed assets during a Wisconsin estate administration often requires a combination of document review, probate procedures, and, if necessary, court intervention.
Start with the Personal Representative’s Inventory. In Wisconsin probate, the personal representative must identify and inventory probate assets. Review the Inventory filed with the probate...
Wisconsin Estate Planning FAQ’s: Common Mistakes with Living Trusts
A well‑prepared and fully funded living trust can spare your family court interference at incapacity and death, but several recurring mistakes keep trusts from working as intended. Here are five to watch for, plus practical ways to avoid them.
Using a poorly prepared document....Wisconsin Probate: How do I challenge a Will or the appointment of a Personal Representative in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, challenging a will and challenging the appointment of a personal representative are related but distinct actions. Because the process, deadlines, and evidence are critical, acting promptly is important. A properly executed will is presumed valid, so a successful challenge typically requires evidence supporting one or more recognized grounds.
Wisconsin Estate Planning FAQ’s: Understanding Corporate Trustees
A corporate trustee is a bank trust department or trust company that can help you build, manage, and protect wealth inside a trust. Corporate trustees manage trusts daily, understand tax and estate planning strategies, and know the legal responsibilities of a trustee. They can buy and sell assets, pay bills, file tax...
Wisconsin Probate: How do I legally replace the Personal Representative of a Will during Probate in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, replacing a personal representative (executor) during probate is possible, but the procedure depends on why you want the person replaced and what your relationship is to the estate.
A probate court can remove a personal representative for several reasons: failure to perform required duties; mismanagement of estate...
Wisconsin Estate Planning FAQ’s: How to Choose a Successor Trustee for Your Living Trust
Selecting a successor trustee is one of the most important decisions in your living trust plan because this person or institution steps in to manage the trust if you become incapacitated or after you die. A strong choice keeps your plan running smoothly, while a poor choice can create delays, conflicts, and...
Wisconsin Probate: How do I handle a Probate as an out-of-state Personal Representative in Wisconsin?
Handling a Wisconsin probate as an out-of-state Personal Representative (PR) is common, but it does add logistical and procedural friction. Wisconsin law allows non‑residents to serve, and the process works best when you understand both the court requirements and the practical challenges of remote administration.
First, confirm you are...
Wisconsin Estate Planning: How do I shield an Inheritance from divorce, debt, and lawsuits in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, an inheritance is generally treated as separate property, which gives it strong protection by default. Whether it stays protected, however, depends largely on what you do after you receive it. The law typically treats inheritances and third‑party gifts as individual property rather than marital property, but they can lose that...
Wisconsin Estate Planning FAQ’s: Setting up a Trust and Selecting a Trustee
Trusts are not just for the wealthy. They serve many purposes and solve specific problems that may have little to do with wealth, focusing more on family dynamics. As you think about your estate plan and passing your assets on to your loved ones, consider the following questions: