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Door County, WI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Door County information |
|---|---|
| Court | The Circuit Court for Door County. Estate filings go through the Door County Register in Probate. |
| Probate filing office | Door County Register in Probate, Door County Justice Center, 1207 S. Duluth Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. |
| Mailing address | Door County does not publish a separate mailing address for the Register in Probate. Use the Justice Center address unless the office instructs otherwise. |
| Phone | 920-746-5616 |
| [email protected] | |
| Fax | No office fax number is published for the Door County Register in Probate. |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office strongly recommends an appointment to be sure someone can assist you. |
| Court fee | Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate proceeding 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)). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes those figures to $36 and $18,500 effective November 1, 2026. The separate electronic filing charge is $35 per party per case under Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m) and § 801.18(7). |
| Local forms | Door County does not publish a Door County-specific probate form or local probate checklist. Use Wisconsin's statewide PR forms. |
| Electronic filing | Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use Wisconsin circuit court electronic filing. Self-represented parties may opt in, or may use traditional paper filing methods under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3). |
| Case search | Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. Probate cases use PR for formal probate and IN for informal probate. |
| Remote appearance | Door County does not publish a probate-specific remote appearance practice. Ask the Register in Probate before any scheduled hearing. |
| Website | https://www.co.door.wi.gov/186/Register-in-Probate |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before choosing a Door County probate path, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, debts, beneficiary designations, jointly held property, and any trust assets. Wisconsin's court fee is based on property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges, so sorting probate and nonprobate assets early helps avoid the wrong estate settlement path.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery can help families locate accounts and identify what may need to be reported before they contact the Door County Register in Probate or a Wisconsin probate attorney.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File a Door County estate with the Door County Register in Probate at the Door County Justice Center in Sturgeon Bay. Wisconsin places an estate proceeding for a Wisconsin domiciliary in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death; if the decedent had no Wisconsin domicile, the case may be filed in a Wisconsin county where the decedent's property is located, and the first court to exercise jurisdiction has exclusive jurisdiction (Wis. Stat. § 856.01).
Door County is served locally in Sturgeon Bay. Door County is not one of Wisconsin's shared two-county circuit arrangements, so a Door County estate is not routed to another county's Register in Probate.
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the assets, debts, will, interested persons, and whether any Door County real estate is involved. If someone has custody of the will, Wisconsin has a 30-day duty to file it with the proper court or deliver it to the person named to act as personal representative (Wis. Stat. § 856.05).
- Choose the Wisconsin path that fits the estate. Informal administration starts with the probate registrar under Wis. Stat. ch. 865. Formal administration uses a petition before the circuit court. Smaller or title-clearing matters may use transfer by affidavit, summary settlement, summary assignment, summary confirmation of interest in property, termination of joint tenancy or life estate, or determination of descent when the statewide requirements fit.
- Use the statewide Wisconsin PR forms. Door County does not publish its own probate packet. Common starting forms include PR-1801 for informal administration and PR-1901 for formal administration. The authority document issued after appointment is Domiciliary Letters, PR-1810.
- File with the Door County Register in Probate at the Door County Justice Center, 1207 S. Duluth Avenue, Sturgeon Bay. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use Wisconsin circuit court electronic filing. A self-represented filer may opt in electronically or use traditional paper methods under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3). The office strongly recommends making an appointment before going in person.
- Plan for the statewide court fee at the inventory stage. Through October 31, 2026, the fee is $20 at $10,000 or less and 0.2 percent above that amount, based on property subject to administration less encumbrances, liens or charges, and payable when the inventory or similar valuation document is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500 effective November 1, 2026. Electronic filing adds $35 per party per case under Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m) and § 801.18(7), unless waived.
- Give notice as the court or probate registrar directs. In an ordinary administration, the claim deadline is a date set by order at not less than three and not more than four months from the date of that order (Wis. Stat. § 859.01), and notice of that deadline is published under Wis. Stat. § 859.07.
- Handle any hearing that is set. Door County does not publish a probate hearing day or a probate-specific remote appearance rule, so ask the Register in Probate how the hearing will be scheduled and whether telephone or video appearance is available for that hearing.
- After appointment, use the Domiciliary Letters to collect estate property, inventory the assets, pay valid claims and expenses, address tax and benefit recovery notices when required, and distribute the remaining property. The inventory is due within a reasonable time and no later than six months after appointment unless the court changes the time (Wis. Stat. § 858.01).
- Close the estate using the correct Wisconsin closing route. Informal administration may close by the personal representative's sworn statement, with appointment terminating six months later if no proceeding is pending (Wis. Stat. § 865.16). Formal administration closes through final judgment and discharge forms.
- If Door County real estate is transferred or title must be updated, record the required affidavit, order, certificate, or abridgment with the Door County Register of Deeds at the Door County Government Center, 421 Nebraska Street, Sturgeon Bay, not at the Justice Center.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Door County
Door County does not publish a Door County-specific probate form or local probate checklist on its probate pages. Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court statewide probate forms, Category 26, for informal administration, formal administration, transfer by affidavit, summary settlement, summary assignment, special administration, termination of joint tenancy or life estate, summary confirmation of interest in property, determination of descent, and ancillary administration.
For Door County estate settlement, contact the Door County Register in Probate if you are unsure which statewide PR form starts your matter. Probate registrar staff have a statutory duty to advise, within their competence, on preparing informal-administration documents required under Wis. Stat. ch. 865 (Wis. Stat. § 865.065(2)).
Local nuance
Door County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Door County |
|---|---|
| Direct probate phone | Use the Door County Register in Probate's office line, 920-746-5616, for estate questions. Do not rely on the general Circuit Court number for probate-counter questions. |
| Appointment recommendation | The Register in Probate office states that an appointment is strongly recommended so someone can assist you. Plan ahead before driving to the Justice Center. |
| Real estate recording is elsewhere | The Door County Register in Probate is at the Justice Center, 1207 S. Duluth Avenue. The Door County Register of Deeds is at the Door County Government Center, 421 Nebraska Street, 2nd floor, Sturgeon Bay, for recording real-estate documents. |
| No local probate packet | Door County points users to statewide Wisconsin probate resources and does not publish its own probate form packet. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Door County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by checking how title is held and whether the home is survivorship marital property, joint tenancy, transfer on death, trust property, or probate property. If a court or recording step is needed for Door County real estate, the probate counter is at the Justice Center and recording is at the Register of Deeds office on Nebraska Street. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, title issues, and beneficiary designations so the spouse can see whether a full estate settlement is needed or a narrower title-clearing route may fit. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Call the Door County Register in Probate before traveling. Wisconsin may allow transfer by affidavit under Wis. Stat. § 867.03 when the statutory $50,000 gross-value test is met, or another summary path when its separate test applies. If the child files a court case, Door County recommends an appointment. | Sunset helps gather financial information, organize the Wisconsin PR forms, and connect the child with local counsel if the matter turns formal or contested. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the child's home is in Door County and must be sold, expect both probate and recording steps. The estate may need appointment of a personal representative and Domiciliary Letters before sale authority is clear, followed by recording any required real-estate document with the Door County Register of Deeds. | Sunset helps build an asset list, locate mortgage and account information, prepare an estate settlement packet, and connect the parent to a Wisconsin probate attorney when a sale or formal administration is involved. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or phone |
|---|---|---|
| Door County Register in Probate | Local office for estate filings, office hours, appointment guidance, and probate process questions. | https://www.co.door.wi.gov/186/Register-in-Probate, 920-746-5616 |
| Door County probate information page | Door County's general probate overview and links to statewide probate resources. | https://www.co.door.wi.gov/400/Probate |
| A Personal Representative's Guide to Informal Estate Administration in Wisconsin | Statewide self-help guide for informal administration, prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association and hosted by the Wisconsin Court System. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/docs/probateguide.pdf |
| Wisconsin Court System self-help law center, probate | State probate self-help page with links to forms and the informal administration guide. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/probate.htm |
| Circuit court probate forms | Statewide PR form set for Wisconsin probate matters. | https://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit/ccform.jsp?Category=26&SubCat=All |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Access | Statewide public case search for Wisconsin circuit court cases, including probate case types. | https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin | Statewide free civil legal aid intake for eligible low-income Wisconsin residents. | https://legalaction.org/, 855-947-2529 |
| Wisconsin State Law Library, Door County legal resources | County legal resources index page. | https://wilawlibrary.gov/topics/county.php?c=Door&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 court system's informal-administration guide says formal administration requires the assistance of an attorney and informal administration may be granted without an attorney's assistance, while probate registrar staff may advise within their competence on informal-administration documents (Wis. Stat. § 865.065(2)). In Door County, counsel makes sense when the matter is formal, contested, involves a real estate sale, has creditor or benefit-recovery issues, or requires court appearances. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families identify accounts, debts, and property that may matter in a Door County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information families need for Wisconsin probate forms, including the asset list, interested persons, debts, and documents to discuss with the Door County Register in Probate or an attorney.
Find a local probate attorney. If the Door County estate needs formal administration, a court appearance, a home sale, or legal advice, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Wisconsin probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand next steps, and decide whether to move forward on their own, with court self-help resources, or with a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for a Door County resident?
File with the Door County Register in Probate at the Door County Justice Center, 1207 S. Duluth Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. Wisconsin uses the decedent's county of domicile at death for a Wisconsin domiciliary (Wis. Stat. § 856.01).
What phone number should I use for the Door County Register in Probate?
Use 920-746-5616 for the Door County Register in Probate. The office also publishes the role-based email [email protected].
Does Door County have its own probate forms?
No. Door County does not publish a Door County-specific probate packet or local probate checklist. Use the Wisconsin statewide probate forms in Category 26 on the Wisconsin Court System forms site.
Can I file a Door County probate case electronically?
Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use Wisconsin circuit court electronic filing. Self-represented parties may choose to opt in electronically, or may file, serve, and receive paper documents by traditional methods under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3). The separate electronic filing charge is $35 per party per case under Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m) and § 801.18(7), unless waived.
How much does a Door County estate proceeding cost at the court?
The 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)). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes those figures to $36 and $18,500 effective November 1, 2026.
How long does Door County probate take?
Door County's probate information page says probate typically takes 12 to 18 months. That is a general estimate. The actual timing depends on the Wisconsin procedure used, creditor notice, whether a hearing is needed, real estate issues, taxes, and whether anyone demands formal proceedings.
Can I appear remotely for a Door County probate hearing?
Door County does not publish a probate-specific remote appearance practice. If a hearing is scheduled, ask the Door County Register in Probate how the hearing will be held and whether telephone or video appearance is available.
Can I look up a Door County probate case online?
Yes. Wisconsin circuit court cases, including probate case types, are searchable through Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. Probate cases use PR for formal probate and IN for informal probate. Do not assume the online search shows every document in the court file.
Do I have to travel to Sturgeon Bay to handle a Door County estate?
Not always. Some filings may be handled electronically by users who opt in or by traditional filing methods, and some tasks can be prepared before you travel. Because Door County strongly recommends an appointment with the Register in Probate, call 920-746-5616 before making the trip.
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.