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Calumet County, WI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Calumet County details |
|---|---|
| Court | The Circuit Court for Calumet County |
| Filing office | Calumet County Register in Probate |
| Courthouse address | 206 Court Street, Chilton, WI 53014-1198 |
| Mailing address | 206 Court Street, Chilton, WI 53014-1198 |
| Phone | (920) 849-1455 |
| Toll-free phone | (883) 620-2730 |
| Fax | No fax number is published for the Register in Probate office. |
| No email address is published for the Register in Probate office. | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Estate fee | Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate 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, payable when the inventory is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, § 814.66(1)(a)3). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500 effective November 1, 2026; the 0.2 percent rate does not change. |
| Local forms | Calumet County publishes a local guide for opening an informal administration and uses the statewide PR probate forms. |
| E-filing | Attorneys and high-volume filing agents must e-file. Self-represented filers may opt in or use paper filing. The e-filing fee is $35 per party per case (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)). |
| Case search | Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| Remote appearance | No Calumet County probate remote-appearance procedure is published on the Register in Probate page. Ask the office when a hearing is scheduled. |
| Website | https://www.calumetcounty.org/555/Register-in-ProbateJuvenile-Clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Wisconsin probate path, make a working list of assets, debts, title status and beneficiary designations. In Calumet County, that list affects whether you are preparing the local informal-administration packet, asking about a court hearing, or using a non-administration route for particular property.
Sunset's estate settlement process can help you look for accounts across more than 2,300 financial institutions before you file an inventory or tell the Register in Probate what the estate appears to include.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Circuit Court for Calumet County and the Calumet County Register in Probate serve estates for decedents domiciled in Calumet County. The courthouse community is Chilton.
Wisconsin places administration of a decedent's estate in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was not domiciled in Wisconsin, administration 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
- Choose the local opening packet. For informal administration in Calumet County, the Register in Probate's guide lists PR-1801 Application for Informal Administration, PR-1806 Proof of Heirship, PR-1803 Waiver and Consent, PR-1804 Notice to Creditors or PR-1805 if waivers are not filed, PR-1807 Consent to Serve, PR-1808 Statement of Informal Administration and PR-1810 Domiciliary Letters. File the original will and codicils if there are any.
- File with the Calumet County Register in Probate. Use the office at 206 Court Street in Chilton. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use Wisconsin circuit court e-filing. A self-represented filer may opt in to e-filing or file by traditional paper methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a), § 801.18(3)(b), § 801.18(3)(c)).
- Plan for the estate fee at inventory, not at opening. Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate fee is $20 at $10,000 or less in property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges, and 0.2 percent when that value is more, payable when the inventory is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, § 814.66(1)(a)3). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500 effective November 1, 2026.
- Handle notice and claims. The court, 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 the order (Wis. Stat. § 859.01). Notice of the deadline is published, and the first insertion must be made within 15 days of the order (Wis. Stat. § 859.07(1)).
- Watch for agency notice. If the decedent or spouse received specified medical assistance, long-term care benefits or other listed public benefits, the personal representative may have certified or registered mail notice duties to the appropriate agency and the county clerk before the claims deadline (Wis. Stat. § 859.07(2)).
- Attend any scheduled hearing. The Calumet County guide says a hearing date follows the opening materials. If travel is difficult, ask the Register in Probate whether the court has authorized a remote appearance for that specific hearing.
- Receive authority to act. After appointment and qualification, the authority document is PR-1810, Domiciliary Letters, for both informal administration and formal administration.
- File the inventory and administer the estate. Calumet County's guide lists PR-1811 Inventory as the second step and states it is due no later than six months after Domiciliary Letters issue. The personal representative then pays allowed claims, handles estate property and keeps accounting records.
- Close the estate. Calumet County's guide lists PR-1814 Estate Account, PR-1815 Estate Receipt and PR-1816 Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate for the informal closing sequence. It also states that estates are to be closed 12 months after the application is filed, with an extension available after the required documents are filed and reviewed.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Calumet County
Calumet County's Register in Probate publishes a local guide called "How to Open an Informal Probate." The guide is not a separate county form set. It organizes the statewide Wisconsin PR forms into a local sequence for opening, inventory, final account and closing.
| Stage | Forms and local notes |
|---|---|
| Opening | PR-1801, PR-1806, PR-1803, PR-1804 or PR-1805, PR-1807, PR-1808 and PR-1810, plus the original will and codicils if they exist. |
| Inventory | PR-1811 Inventory. Calumet County's guide states this is due no later than six months after Domiciliary Letters issue. |
| Final account | PR-1814 Estate Account with schedules, plus PR-1817 for mailing. |
| Closing | PR-1815 Estate Receipt and PR-1816 Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate. |
| Trust created by a will | PR-1930 Consent to Serve as Trustee may be relevant if the will establishes a trust. |
The statewide probate form index is the Wisconsin circuit court probate forms category, Category 26. Use the Calumet County guide for the local informal-administration sequence, and call the Register in Probate if you are unsure which statewide PR form fits your estate settlement step.
Timeline
- Opening materials. Calumet County's informal-administration guide starts with the application, proof of heirship, waivers or notice, consent to serve, statement of informal administration and Domiciliary Letters forms.
- Hearing date. The guide states that a hearing date follows the opening materials. It does not publish a regular probate calendar.
- Inventory. The guide states that PR-1811 Inventory is due no later than six months after Domiciliary Letters issue.
- Closing target. The guide states that estates are to be closed 12 months after the application is filed, with an extension available after the appropriate documents are filed and reviewed.
- Informal appointment termination. In an informal administration, if no proceeding challenging the closing statement or otherwise involving the personal representative is pending six months after the statement is filed, the appointment terminates (Wis. Stat. § 865.16(2)).
Local nuance
Calumet County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Local informal guide | The Register in Probate publishes a four-step informal-administration guide, so Calumet County filers should read that guide together with the statewide PR forms. |
| Direct office phone | Call the Calumet County Register in Probate at (920) 849-1455 for probate filing questions. The office also publishes toll-free number (883) 620-2730. |
| No published office email or fax | The Register in Probate page publishes phone contact and courthouse address, but not a probate office email or fax number. |
| Trust language caution | If a will creates a trust, Calumet County's guide points to PR-1930 Consent to Serve as Trustee. Wisconsin law treats trustee authority separately from the personal representative's Domiciliary Letters (Wis. Stat. § 856.29; Wis. Stat. § 865.08(6)). |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Calumet County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and whether it is marital property or survivorship property. Some property may be cleared outside a full estate administration, but any court filing for a Calumet County decedent goes through the Calumet County Register in Probate. | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize title and beneficiary information and prepare an estate settlement plan before you ask the Register in Probate about the right paperwork. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the decedent left property subject to administration in Wisconsin that does not exceed $50,000 in gross value, transfer by affidavit may be available without opening an estate (Wis. Stat. § 867.03). If a court process is needed, call the Calumet County Register in Probate about paper filing, e-filing opt-in and any hearing. | Sunset helps look for financial accounts, assemble documents and connect you with a local attorney if travel or court appearance issues make the case harder. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home is in the child's name and authority is needed to sell it, the personal representative may need Domiciliary Letters from the Calumet County case before signing estate documents. A formal administration may be appropriate if court supervision, a dispute or a sale issue requires it. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, generate a probate packet and connect the family with a vetted probate attorney for the sale and court steps. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it gives | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Calumet County Register in Probate/Juvenile Clerk | Local office contact information and the downloadable "How to Open an Informal Probate" guide. | https://www.calumetcounty.org/555/Register-in-ProbateJuvenile-Clerk |
| A Personal Representative's Guide to Informal Estate Administration in Wisconsin | Statewide self-help guide for informal administration. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/docs/probateguide.pdf |
| Wisconsin Court System self-help law center, probate | Statewide probate self-help hub. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/probate.htm |
| Circuit court probate forms | Statewide PR probate form set. | https://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit/ccform.jsp?Category=26&SubCat=All |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Access | Statewide circuit court case search. | 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, Calumet County legal resources | County legal resources index. | https://wilawlibrary.gov/topics/county.php?c=Calumet&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 self-help guide prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association says formal administration requires the assistance of an attorney and informal administration may be granted without an attorney's assistance. Summary settlement and summary assignment carry their own express right to appear in person (Wis. Stat. § 867.01(5), § 867.02(5)). Sunset connects families to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other estate property. That asset discovery can make the Calumet County inventory and estate settlement plan more complete.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset helps turn the family's information into an organized probate packet using the Wisconsin PR form framework and the local Calumet County filing sequence. You can review the packet before filing with the Register in Probate or before speaking with counsel.
Find a local probate attorney
If the estate needs formal administration, a sale of real property, a contested issue or court appearances, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families
Sunset's estate settlement tools are free for families. The goal is to help you understand what exists, what paperwork is next and when local legal help makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Calumet County?
File estate papers with the Calumet County Register in Probate at 206 Court Street in Chilton. Wisconsin estate jurisdiction is based on the decedent's county of domicile at death, or for a nonresident decedent, a Wisconsin county where the decedent's property is located (Wis. Stat. § 856.01).
What phone number should I use for the Calumet County Register in Probate?
Call (920) 849-1455. The office also publishes toll-free number (883) 620-2730.
Can I e-file a Calumet County probate case?
Yes. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents must e-file in Wisconsin circuit court. Self-represented filers may choose to opt in to e-filing or file by traditional paper methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a), § 801.18(3)(b), § 801.18(3)(c)). The e-filing fee is $35 per party per case (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)).
Does Calumet County publish local probate forms?
Calumet County publishes a local "How to Open an Informal Probate" guide. The forms themselves are the statewide Wisconsin PR probate forms, including PR-1801, PR-1806, PR-1803, PR-1804 or PR-1805, PR-1807, PR-1808, PR-1810, PR-1811, PR-1814, PR-1815 and PR-1816 for the informal sequence described in the guide.
What estate fee does the Calumet County Register in Probate collect?
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, § 814.66(1)(a)3). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500 effective November 1, 2026.
How long does informal probate take in Calumet County?
Calumet County's guide states that the inventory is due no later than six months after Domiciliary Letters issue and that estates are to be closed 12 months after the application is filed, with an extension available after the appropriate documents are filed and reviewed. The actual claims deadline is a date set by order at not less than three nor more than four months from the date of that order (Wis. Stat. § 859.01).
Can I appear remotely for a Calumet County probate hearing?
No Calumet County probate remote-appearance procedure is published on the Register in Probate page. If a hearing is scheduled, ask the Register in Probate whether the court has authorized a remote appearance for that hearing.
Can I look up a Calumet County probate case online?
Wisconsin circuit court cases, including probate case types, are searchable through Wisconsin Circuit Court Access at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. Use WCCA for case lookup, but do not assume every estate document can be viewed there.
Do I have to travel to Chilton if I live outside Wisconsin?
Not always. Self-represented filers may use paper filing by traditional methods or opt in to e-filing, and attorneys must e-file. If the court schedules a hearing, ask the Calumet County Register in Probate whether a remote appearance is available for that specific hearing.
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.