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Wisconsin Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

Wisconsin PROBATE COURT FINDER:
- Probate Court for Washington County: Key information about your local probate court (Circuit Court in Wisconsin) for Washington County.
How Probate Works in Wisconsin: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Washington County's probate court.
- Here are links to:
  - Wisconsin Probate Forms and the
  - Wisconsin State Probate Court Website.
Small Estates Procedures in Wisconsin: Learn how to use Wisconsin's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.
- In Wisconsin, you can use an Affidavit if the decedent's solely owned property owned in Wisconsin is worth $50,000 or less.
  
  Wis. Stat. Ann. 867.03.
  
  There's a summary procedure available if the value of the estate, less mortgages and encumbrances, is $50,000 or less and decedent is survived by spouse, domestic partner, or minor children. Also available if value of the estate, less mortgages and encumbrances, does not exceed costs, expenses, allowances, and claims.
  
  Wis. Stat. Ann. 867.01.
Wisconsin Estate Taxes:
- Wisconsin, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.
Avoiding Probate in Wisconsin. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
- Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

Bankruptcy & Debt

MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
- for Washington County, Wisconsin (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
Wisconsin BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Wisconsin law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy.
- Federal Exemptions available in Wisconsin?:
  - Yes. Federal exemptions are available.
- Wisconsin Homestead Exemption
  - Property you occupy or intend to occupy to $75,000; sale proceeds exempt for 2 years if you intend to purchase another home (husband & wife's exemption may double)
- Wisconsin Vehicle Exemption
  - Motor vehicles to $5,000 (husband & wife may double; unused portion of $12,000 personal property exemption may be added)
Wisconsin BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
Wisconsin is divided into 2 federal districts with main cities in
- Milwaukee, (Eastern District)
- Eau Claire, Madison (Western District)
FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits

Benefit Amounts in Wisconsin: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
- Minimum:
  - $54 per week
- Maximum:
  - $370 per week
- Duration:
  - In Wisconsin, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law.
Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
  - 414-435-7069
Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.
Wisconsin Wage & Hour Law
- Wisconsin Minimum Wage:
  - The minimum wage in Wisconsin is the same as the federal minimum wage: $7.25 an hour.
- Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Wisconsin and whether they apply to you.
- Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Wisconsin.
- Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Wisconsin.
  - In Wisconsin, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $2.33 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.