Executor Duties in Wisconsin

Main duties and deadlines for a Wisconsin personal representative: receive domiciliary letters after appointment; when administration is opened, the court or probate registrar sets a deadline for creditor claims that is not less than 3 nor more than 4 months from the date of the order, and claims not filed by then are generally barred; within a reasonable time but no later than 6 months after appointment (unless the court changes the time), file an inventory of all property owned by the decedent, showing date-of-death values, which property is marital property, and any obligations; pay claims, expenses and taxes; and close the estate, for example by filing a final account and, in informal administration, a closing statement or petition for final settlement.

Wisconsin calls them 'domiciliary letters.' Probate is handled by the circuit court through the county Register in Probate. In informal administration, the applicant files an Application for Informal Administration (PR-1801); the probate registrar may then admit the will to informal probate and appoint the personal representative nominated by the will or requested by the applicant, and issue letters. Formal administration is by petition to the court. The personal representative must qualify, including by posting any bond required. Wisconsin DMV accepts the Personal Representative Papers (Domiciliary Letter) for vehicle transfers.

When administration is opened, the court (or probate registrar) sets a deadline for filing claims that is not less than 3 nor more than 4 months from the date of the order. Claims not filed by then are barred against the estate, the personal representative and the heirs and beneficiaries, with exceptions (for example, tort claims, certain tax and state benefit-recovery claims, funeral and administration expenses, and known creditors who did not receive required notice at least 30 days before the deadline).