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Adams County, WI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Adams County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court for Adams County, with probate filings handled by the Adams County Register in Probate |
| Courthouse address | Adams County Courthouse, 401 Adams Street, Suite 14, Friendship, WI 53934 |
| Mailing address | Use the same courthouse address unless the office gives a different mailing instruction |
| Phone | 608-339-4213 |
| Fax | 608-339-4596 |
| Hours | The Register in Probate page does not list separate public hours. Call before visiting Suite 14. |
| Statewide estate fee | In force through October 31, 2026: $20 when the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges, is $10,000 or less, and 0.2 percent of that value when it is more, payable when the inventory is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, (1)(a)3). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes those figures to $36 and $18,500; the 0.2 percent rate does not change. |
| Local forms | Adams County's Register in Probate page links to probate forms but does not list a separate Adams County probate form. Use the statewide PR forms unless the office gives a different instruction. |
| E-filing | As of August 2026, attorneys and high-volume filing agents must e-file in Wisconsin probate cases. Self-represented filers may opt in or use traditional filing methods. A separate $35 e-filing fee applies per party per case when electronically filed (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)). |
| Case search | Wisconsin Circuit Court Access at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| Remote appearance | The Register in Probate page does not list a probate remote appearance procedure. Call before planning to appear remotely. |
| Website | https://www.co.adams.wi.us/departments/register-in-probate |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Adams County, list the decedent's assets, debts, beneficiary designations, co-owned property and any real estate. Wisconsin's estate fee is based on property subject to administration after encumbrances, liens or charges, so the first estate settlement task is understanding what actually needs court authority.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families find accounts before they choose forms or ask the Adams County Register in Probate for next steps. That asset picture also helps you decide whether the filing belongs in Suite 14, whether a statewide non-administration route may fit, and whether a Wisconsin probate attorney should review the plan.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Adams County probate matters are filed at the Adams County Courthouse in Friendship through the Adams County Register in Probate. Adams County is not one of Wisconsin's two-county circuit arrangements and has its own county Register in Probate office.
Wisconsin jurisdiction for a decedent's estate is based on the county where a Wisconsin domiciliary was domiciled at death. If the decedent was not domiciled in Wisconsin, the proceeding may be in a Wisconsin county where the decedent's property is located, and the court that first exercises jurisdiction has exclusive jurisdiction under that subsection (Wis. Stat. § 856.01).
The jurisdiction process
- Confirm that Adams County is the correct Wisconsin county. Use Adams County if the decedent was domiciled there at death, or if a nonresident decedent left property in Adams County and no other Wisconsin county has first exercised jurisdiction (Wis. Stat. § 856.01).
- Decide whether the estate will proceed through informal administration, formal administration or a statewide non-administration route. Informal administration is handled administratively by the probate registrar under Wis. Stat. ch. 865. Formal administration is a court proceeding, and the Wisconsin Court System's self-help guide says formal administration requires the assistance of an attorney.
- Prepare the statewide PR forms for the path you are using. If you have custody of the original will, Wisconsin requires the will to be filed with the proper court within 30 days after you know of the death and know you have custody or are named to act as personal representative (Wis. Stat. § 856.05).
- File with the Adams County Register in Probate at the Adams County Courthouse, 401 Adams Street, Suite 14, Friendship. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use Wisconsin e-filing; self-represented filers may opt in or use traditional filing methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)).
- Plan for the statewide estate fee at the inventory stage, not as a courthouse counter charge at opening. Through October 31, 2026, the fee is $20 when the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges, is $10,000 or less, and 0.2 percent of that value when it is more (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, (1)(a)3). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes those figures to $36 and $18,500; the 0.2 percent rate does not change. As of August 2026, a separate $35 e-filing fee applies per party per case when electronically filed (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)).
- Follow the notice instructions in the order and the forms. In Wisconsin, the court in a formal administration, or the probate registrar in an informal administration, sets the claim filing deadline by order at a date not less than three nor more than four months from the date of that order (Wis. Stat. § 859.01). Published notice is required under Wis. Stat. § 859.07.
- Attend any hearing the court schedules. The Adams County Register in Probate page does not list a probate remote appearance procedure, so call Suite 14 before assuming you can appear remotely.
- After appointment, use Domiciliary Letters, PR-1810, as the personal representative's authority document. File the inventory within a reasonable time and no later than 6 months after appointment unless the court changes the time (Wis. Stat. § 858.01), administer assets, pay allowed claims and expenses, make distributions, and close the estate using the applicable statewide PR forms.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Adams County
Wisconsin publishes statewide probate forms in the PR series through the Wisconsin Court System. Adams County's Register in Probate page links to probate forms but does not list a separate Adams County probate form, so families should start with the statewide Category 26 probate form index and call Suite 14 if the office asks for anything local.
| Use | Common statewide form |
|---|---|
| Informal administration | PR-1801, Application for Informal Administration |
| Proof of family relationships | PR-1806, Proof of Heirship |
| Authority for the personal representative | PR-1810, Domiciliary Letters |
| Inventory | PR-1811, Inventory |
| Informal closing | PR-1816, Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate |
| Formal administration | PR-1901, Petition for Formal Administration |
| Transfer by affidavit | PR-1831, Transfer by Affidavit under Wis. Stat. § 867.03 |
| Summary settlement | PR-1835 to PR-1837 under Wis. Stat. § 867.01 |
| Summary assignment | PR-1840 to PR-1844 under Wis. Stat. § 867.02 |
Local nuance
Adams County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Use Suite 14 for the Register in Probate | The Adams County Register in Probate is listed at 401 Adams Street, Suite 14, Friendship, with direct phone 608-339-4213 and fax 608-339-4596. |
| Real estate recording is nearby | The Adams County Register of Deeds is in the same courthouse building at 401 Adams Street, Suite 12. Its posted hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Recording may matter when an estate settlement involves Adams County real estate. |
| Call before visiting | The Register in Probate page does not list separate public hours for the probate counter, so call before bringing filings to Suite 14. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking how the Adams County home is titled. Some Wisconsin survivorship or termination filings may be handled through the court or recorded with the Adams County Register of Deeds, while assets that require administration are handled through the Adams County Register in Probate in Suite 14. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and real estate details so the spouse can see whether the estate settlement needs a probate filing, a recording step, or both. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Call the Adams County Register in Probate before mailing paperwork. Depending on the assets, a statewide transfer by affidavit under Wis. Stat. § 867.03, summary settlement under Wis. Stat. § 867.01, or summary assignment under Wis. Stat. § 867.02 may be simpler than full administration. | Sunset organizes asset information, generates a probate packet for the chosen path, and helps the child decide when a local attorney should review the filing. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate when a home must be sold | If the home is in Adams County and must be sold from the estate, contact the Register in Probate about opening the proper administration and the Register of Deeds about recording any required real estate document after the court step. | Sunset helps gather account and property information for the personal representative and can connect the family with a vetted Wisconsin probate attorney for sale-related questions. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Adams County Register in Probate | Local filing counter for Adams County probate matters, Suite 14 at the courthouse in Friendship | https://www.co.adams.wi.us/departments/register-in-probate |
| Wisconsin Court System self-help law center, probate | Statewide probate overview and links to forms and the informal administration guide | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/probate.htm |
| A Personal Representative's Guide to Informal Estate Administration in Wisconsin | Court hosted self-help guide prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/docs/probateguide.pdf |
| Circuit court probate forms, Category 26 | Statewide PR probate forms used in Wisconsin circuit courts | https://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit/ccform.jsp?Category=26&SubCat=All |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Access | Statewide public circuit court case search for case information | https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin | Free civil legal aid intake for eligible Wisconsin residents, statewide intake 855-947-2529 | https://legalaction.org/ |
| Wisconsin State Law Library, Adams County legal resources | County legal resource page maintained by the state law library | https://wilawlibrary.gov/topics/county.php?c=Adams&a=a&l=l&f=f&r=r |
When to hire an attorney
In a Wisconsin court proceeding, a personal representative appears by attorney (Wis. Stat. § 879.15(2)). The Wisconsin Court System's self-help guide, prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association, says informal administration may be granted without an attorney's assistance, summary settlement does not require an attorney's assistance, and formal administration requires the assistance of an attorney. Counsel is especially useful if an Adams County estate has disputes, real estate to sell, unclear marital property issues, creditor problems, or a demand for formal proceedings. Sunset connects families to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions so families can build a clearer asset list before they contact the Adams County Register in Probate or choose a Wisconsin estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset uses the information you provide to assemble the forms and supporting details for the applicable Wisconsin probate path, then helps you understand what to bring or send to Suite 14.
Find a local probate attorney. If formal administration, a home sale, creditor issues or family disagreement makes legal help important, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Wisconsin probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, find assets, prepare for filings and connect with legal help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Adams County?
File Adams County probate papers with the Adams County Register in Probate at the Adams County Courthouse, 401 Adams Street, Suite 14, Friendship, WI 53934. Call 608-339-4213 before visiting because the office page does not list separate public hours for the probate counter.
Does Adams County have its own probate forms?
Adams County's Register in Probate page links to probate forms but does not list a separate Adams County probate form. Start with the Wisconsin Court System's statewide Category 26 PR forms and ask the Register in Probate if Suite 14 wants anything additional for your filing.
Can I e-file an Adams County probate case?
Yes, Wisconsin probate cases are part of the statewide e-filing system. As of August 2026, attorneys and high-volume filing agents must e-file, while self-represented filers may opt in or use traditional filing methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)). A separate $35 e-filing fee applies per party per case when electronically filed (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)).
How do I look up an Adams County probate case?
Use Wisconsin Circuit Court Access at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. Wisconsin probate case types include formal probate and informal probate case codes, but you should not assume that every document in the case can be viewed online.
What does it cost to open an estate in Adams County?
The estate fee is statewide. Through October 31, 2026, it is $20 when the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges, is $10,000 or less, and 0.2 percent of that value when it is more, payable when the inventory is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, (1)(a)3). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes those figures to $36 and $18,500; the 0.2 percent rate does not change.
Do I have to travel to Friendship for probate?
Not always. Attorneys and participating e-filers submit through the statewide system, and self-represented filers should call the Adams County Register in Probate about acceptable traditional filing methods before traveling. If the court schedules a hearing, ask Suite 14 whether any remote appearance option is available for that specific date.
Who sets the creditor deadline in an Adams County estate?
In Wisconsin, the court in a formal administration, or the probate registrar in an informal administration, sets the claim filing deadline by order at a date not less than three nor more than four months from the date of that order (Wis. Stat. § 859.01). The date appears in the order and published notice.
Do I need an attorney for Adams County probate?
In a Wisconsin court proceeding, a personal representative appears by attorney (Wis. Stat. § 879.15(2)). The Wisconsin Court System's self-help guide says informal administration may be granted without an attorney's assistance, summary settlement does not require an attorney's assistance, and formal administration requires the assistance of an attorney.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.