Real estate is often one of the most important—and slowest—parts of a Wisconsin probate because title to land must be legally transferred, usually with court authority unless a non‑probate mechanism applies. The first question is whether the property even goes through probate. Real estate may pass automatically if it is held in...
Category: Property
Wisconsin Probate: How do you Prepare an Inventory of Assets in a Probate in Wisconsin?
In a Wisconsin probate, the Inventory of Assets is a required filing that lists everything the deceased owned at death that is subject to probate. It’s one of the most important early steps because it establishes the estate’s value, guides how debts get paid, informs beneficiaries, and sets the foundation for distributions....
Wisconsin Estate Planning: Should You Ever Use Your Home as Collateral for Your Child’s Debt?
It is the kind of phone call that keeps parents awake at night. Your daughter is on the line saying, “I need some help.”
She is not hurt. It is not a brush with the law. She is in financial trouble and needs backup.
The business...
Why Title of Real Estate Matters in Madison, Wisconsin
Real estate can be owned in several different ways. The form of ownership, or how your property is titled, can determine how much control you have over it, how vulnerable your property is to creditor claims and lawsuits, and what will happen to it at your death.
Individual Ownership
How to Own Your Real Estate in Madison, Wisconsin
Your real estate encompasses not only your primary residence but also any vacation homes, rental properties, or even vacant land you may own. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of property and your individual circumstances.
Your Primary Residence
How you own your...
International Inheritance Laws: What US Residents Need to Know
Estate planning can be complicated enough when all your assets (accounts and property) and loved ones are located within one country. But for US residents with international connections, whether through property, citizenship, residency, business interests, or loved ones living abroad, it can become significantly more complex.
Different countries have...
Homestead Exemptions and Estate Planning in Madison, WI
The term homestead may seem like a throwback to pioneer days, but homestead exemption laws are directly relevant to today’s estate planning and can play a valuable role in a modern plan.
Almost every state has some form of homestead exemption law primarily focused on reducing property taxes and...
Madison WI Residents: Stress Test Your Estate Plan
Creating an estate plan is a huge accomplishment. However, your work is not done when the documents have been signed. You must still ensure that the chosen strategy gives you peace of mind and protects the legacy you have worked so hard to build.
An estate plan is not...
If I Leave Someone My Home in Madison, WI … What Do They Really Get?
Your home is likely one of the most valuable assets you own, if not the most valuable.
Calling it an asset can sound cold. A home is far more than an assortment of materials and possessions. It is also a place to live, gather, create life stories, and share...
Madison, WI Parental Warning: If You Own Your Property This Way, You May Accidentally Disinherit Your Own Children
Do you own your home, other property, or a financial account with someone else, such as a spouse or an adult child? If so, you might be surprised to learn that a common way of owning property could cause problems for your loved ones in the future.
While there...