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...
Category: Inheritance
Wisconsin Estate Planning: How do you protect biological heirs in a blended family in Wisconsin?
Protecting biological heirs in a Wisconsin blended family is less about “cutting out” a spouse and more about balancing two competing goals: providing for the surviving spouse and ensuring children from prior relationships ultimately receive their intended inheritance. Without careful planning, Wisconsin’s default rules and common estate tools can unintentionally favor one...
Wisconsin Probate: When can an Estate be Closed in Wisconsin?
An estate in Wisconsin can be closed once the personal representative has finished the core tasks the probate court expects: identify all probate assets, complete the inventory, run the creditor process, pay valid debts and expenses, handle all required tax filings, locate beneficiaries, make distributions, and prepare closing papers for the court....
The Family Meeting and Estate Planning
For some people, the term family meeting may not bring to mind a pleasant gathering where everyone shares fond memories and warm feelings. When someone says, “We need to talk,” it often implies that something is wrong or that tough decisions need to be made or discussed.
However, in...
Citizenship and Estate Planning
Noncitizen spouses are treated differently than US citizen spouses for estate and gift tax purposes.[1]
They do not get the unlimited marital deduction. Married US citizen spouses can generally transfer unlimited amounts of money between each other during life or upon death in various qualifying ways without...
Foster Children and Estate Planning
A foster child may come into your life through the court system, an agency, or your own extended family. However it begins, the relationship can grow into something deeply personal, with the unshakable feeling that this child is yours.
However, the law does not always see the relationship that...
How to Leave Assets to Minor Children
You love your children and want to ensure that they are always taken care of. The desire to provide for them may also be shared by their grandparents, aunts, and uncles. However, when leaving money and property to minor children, even the best intentions can lead to big problems. Common mistakes can...
Treating Children Fairly Does Not Necessarily Mean Equally in Estate Planning
Parents generally try to treat all their children fairly. We often assume that fairness means leaving an equal inheritance to each child. However, “fair” does not always mean “equal.” A thoughtful estate plan considers each child’s unique circumstances to create distributions that truly support their needs.
Here are some...
How to Make An Inheritance Last
Receiving an inheritance, whether large or small, often comes with a wide range of emotions, from the grief of losing a loved one to the hope and excitement about the possibilities the inheritance may create. According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress study, over half (57 percent) of Americans who expect...
Treating Your Children Fairly May Mean Unequal Inheritances
When thinking through their estate plan and how they want their assets(money and property) managed after they pass away, most parents wish to treat their children equally, often out of a sense of fairness. However, sometimes being fair or doing what is right by your children may mean giving unequal inheritances.