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Dunn County, WI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Dunn County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court for Dunn County |
| Filing office | Dunn County Register in Probate |
| Courthouse address | 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1500, Menomonie, WI 54751 |
| Mailing address | 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1500, Menomonie, WI 54751 |
| Phone | (715) 232-6782 |
| Fax | (715) 232-6888 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Estate fee | Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate charge is $20 when the value of 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). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 raises those figures to $36 and $18,500; the 0.2 percent rate remains the same. |
| Electronic filing | Available for probate paperwork in Dunn County. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use the Wisconsin circuit court electronic filing system; self-represented people may opt in or use traditional paper methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)). The separate electronic filing fee is $35 per party per case under Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m) and § 801.18(7), with waiver available under Wis. Stat. § 814.29(1). |
| Local forms | Yes. Dunn County publishes a local Affidavit of No Probate, PR-3003, and also links filers to statewide PR-series forms. |
| Case search | Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Dunn County Register in Probate before any scheduled hearing. |
| Website | https://dunncountywi.gov/probate |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Dunn County estate settlement path, make a first inventory of what the person owned, how each asset was titled, what debts exist, and whether there is real estate in Dunn County. Wisconsin fees, notices and small-estate choices depend on which property is actually subject to administration, not on a rough total of everything the person owned.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families look for bank, investment, insurance and retirement accounts before they file. That can help you decide whether Dunn County's informal administration guidance, a summary path, or a full court-supervised proceeding is the right next step.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Circuit Court for Dunn County and the Dunn County Register in Probate serve probate matters filed in Dunn County. The probate office is at 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1500, Menomonie, WI 54751.
For a Wisconsin decedent who was domiciled in Wisconsin, administration belongs in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent had no Wisconsin domicile, a proceeding may be filed in a Wisconsin county where the decedent had property, and the first Wisconsin court to exercise jurisdiction has exclusive jurisdiction (Wis. Stat. § 856.01).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the local path. Start with Dunn County's probate page and the statewide PR-series forms. Informal administration begins with PR-1801, while formal administration begins with PR-1901. Dunn County also publishes guidance for summary assignment, summary settlement and special administration.
- File with the right office. File probate papers with the Dunn County Register in Probate at 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1500, Menomonie. Dunn County says electronic filing is available for probate paperwork, and self-represented people may still use traditional paper filing unless they opt in (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)).
- Handle the original will. Wisconsin requires a person who has custody of a will, or a person named to act as personal representative who knows of the death and the nomination, to file the will in the proper court within 30 days after the required knowledge arises (Wis. Stat. § 856.05(1)). Dunn County's local Affidavit of No Probate is used when an original will is filed but no probate proceeding is needed.
- Do not expect the estate charge to be due at the first filing. Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate charge is $20 at $10,000 or less and 0.2 percent above that value, using the property subject to administration less encumbrances, liens or charges (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2). It is paid when the inventory or other value document is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)3). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 raises the minimum charge to $36 and the threshold to $18,500.
- Give notice and publish the creditor notice when required. In an administration, the court or the probate registrar sets the claim deadline by order at a date not less than three nor more than four months from the date of that order, and publication follows under Wisconsin's probate notice rules (Wis. Stat. § 859.01, § 859.07).
- Attend any hearing that the court sets. Informal administration often proceeds administratively before the probate registrar, while formal administration is a court proceeding. If a Dunn County hearing is scheduled and travel is difficult, ask the Register in Probate in advance how appearance will be handled.
- Get authority to act. Once appointed and qualified, the personal representative receives Domiciliary Letters, PR-1810, which evidence authority to act for the estate in both informal and formal administration (Wis. Stat. § 856.21).
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory, pay or resolve claims and expenses, distribute property, and use the correct closing paperwork. Dunn County guidance sets local timing expectations, including a twelve-month benchmark for closing estates filed in Dunn County.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Dunn County
Dunn County uses the statewide Wisconsin PR-series probate forms and also publishes one local probate form. The local Affidavit of No Probate, PR-3003, is used when an original will is filed under Wis. Stat. § 856.05 but no probate proceeding is needed.
Dunn County's probate page also links local guidance for informal administration, summary assignment, summary settlement and special administration. Those guides point filers to the statewide forms, including PR-1801 for informal administration, PR-1835 and PR-1836 for summary settlement, PR-1840, PR-1842 and PR-1843 for summary assignment, and PR-1850 through PR-1853 for special administration.
| Form source | What to use it for |
|---|---|
| Dunn County local Affidavit of No Probate, PR-3003 | Filing an original will when no probate proceeding is needed |
| Wisconsin circuit court probate forms, Category 26 | Statewide PR-series forms for informal administration, formal administration, summary settlement, summary assignment, special administration, transfer by affidavit and related probate matters |
| Dunn County probate guidance | Local checklists for commonly used Dunn County probate paths |
Timeline
- At the start of the estate, gather asset, debt and title information before choosing the Dunn County filing path. Dunn County provides local guidance for informal administration, summary settlement, summary assignment and special administration.
- After Domiciliary Letters issue, Dunn County's own guidance gives a local target of filing the inventory no later than four months after the letters issue. Statewide law provides that the inventory must be filed within a reasonable time and no later than 6 months after appointment unless the court orders a different time (Wis. Stat. § 858.01).
- In an administration, the claim deadline is set by order at a date not less than three nor more than four months from the date of that order (Wis. Stat. § 859.01). Use the actual date on the Dunn County order and notice.
- Dunn County guidance states that estates filed in Dunn County are expected to close within twelve months of the date the initial documents are filed. Treat that as a local benchmark and ask the Register in Probate about any extension procedure if the estate will take longer.
Local nuance
Dunn County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Dunn County |
|---|---|
| Probate office suite | Use Suite 1500 for the Dunn County Register in Probate at 615 Stokke Parkway in Menomonie. |
| Direct phone | Call the Dunn County Register in Probate at (715) 232-6782 for probate office questions. |
| Local will form | Dunn County publishes an Affidavit of No Probate, PR-3003, for filing an original will when no probate proceeding is needed. |
| Local closing benchmark | Dunn County guidance expects estates filed in Dunn County to close within twelve months of the date the initial documents are filed. |
Recent updates
| Local update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Local Affidavit of No Probate revised 10/24 | Dunn County's local PR-3003 form shows a 10/24 revision date and is available from the county probate page. |
| Statewide estate fee change effective November 1, 2026 | Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate charge is $20 at $10,000 or less and 0.2 percent above that value under Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 raises the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Dunn County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying exactly how the Dunn County home is titled. Wisconsin marital property and survivorship rules may allow a title-clearing route that is different from a full estate administration, while probate filings go through the Dunn County Register in Probate. | Sunset helps gather account and property information so the spouse can see what belongs in estate settlement and what may pass outside administration. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the Wisconsin property subject to administration does not exceed $50,000 in gross value, transfer by affidavit may be available under Wis. Stat. § 867.03. Dunn County also publishes guidance for summary settlement and summary assignment, and electronic filing is available for probate paperwork. | Sunset helps organize institution searches, produce a working asset list, and prepare a Dunn County packet for review before filing or electronic submission. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | File with the Dunn County Register in Probate in Menomonie unless another Wisconsin county has jurisdiction under Wis. Stat. § 856.01. If real estate is distributed or transferred through the estate, recording with the Dunn County Register of Deeds may be part of the closing work. | Sunset helps identify accounts, coordinate document collection, and connect the family with a local probate attorney when a sale, family disagreement or formal administration makes counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or phone |
|---|---|---|
| Dunn County Probate | Local probate office page with contact information, office hours, the local Affidavit of No Probate and Dunn County guidance for several probate paths. | https://dunncountywi.gov/probate |
| A Personal Representative's Guide to Informal Estate Administration in Wisconsin | Statewide self-help guide for informal administration, hosted by the Wisconsin Court System. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/docs/probateguide.pdf |
| Wisconsin circuit court probate forms | Statewide PR-series probate forms, Category 26. | 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. Do not rely on it for document access. | https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral and Information Service | Attorney referral service named by Dunn County's probate page for legal questions the probate office cannot answer. | 1-800-362-9082, http://www.wisbar.org/Pages/default.aspx |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin | Statewide free civil legal aid intake for eligible Wisconsin residents. | (855) 947-2529, https://legalaction.org/ |
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 self-help guide, prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association, states that formal administration requires attorney assistance and that informal administration may be granted without an attorney's assistance; contested issues or a move into court supervision can change the practical need for counsel. For a Dunn County estate with disputes, real estate sales, unclear heirs, creditor issues or formal administration, Sunset connects the family to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify bank, investment, insurance and retirement accounts that may belong in the estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized Dunn County probate packet, using the right Wisconsin terminology and helping you see what still needs review before filing.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Dunn County estate needs legal help, Sunset connects families with a vetted probate attorney who can advise on formal administration, real estate, creditor issues or family conflict.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset. If attorney help is needed, the attorney explains any fees before the family decides whether to move forward.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file a probate case in Dunn County?
File with the Dunn County Register in Probate at 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1500, Menomonie, WI 54751. The filing office serves probate matters in the Circuit Court for Dunn County.
What is the phone number for the Dunn County Register in Probate?
Call the Dunn County Register in Probate at (715) 232-6782. The office fax number is (715) 232-6888.
What are the Dunn County Register in Probate's hours?
The Dunn County probate office lists hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Does Dunn County have its own probate forms?
Yes. Dunn County publishes a local Affidavit of No Probate, PR-3003, for filing an original will when no probate proceeding is needed. For most probate filings, Dunn County points filers to the statewide Wisconsin PR-series probate forms.
Can I use electronic filing for a Dunn County probate case?
Yes. Dunn County's probate guidance says electronic filing is available for probate paperwork. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use the Wisconsin circuit court electronic filing system, while self-represented people may opt in or file by traditional paper methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)). The separate electronic filing fee is $35 per party per case under Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m) and § 801.18(7), unless waived under Wis. Stat. § 814.29(1).
How long does it take to close an estate in Dunn County?
Dunn County guidance says estates filed in Dunn County are expected to close within twelve months of the date the initial documents are filed. That is a local benchmark. The actual timing depends on assets, notices, claims, taxes, real estate and whether anyone contests the estate settlement.
Do I need a lawyer for a Dunn County estate?
Formal administration requires attorney assistance under the court system's self-help guide, and a personal representative appears by attorney in Wisconsin court proceedings (Wis. Stat. § 879.15(2)). Informal administration may be granted without attorney assistance, and probate registrar staff have a statutory duty to advise, within their competence, on preparing informal administration documents (Wis. Stat. § 865.065(2)).
What does it cost to open an estate in Dunn County?
The estate charge is statewide. Through October 31, 2026, it is $20 when the value of 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). It is paid when the inventory or other value document is filed, not at the first filing (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)3). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 raises the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500.
Can I look up a Dunn County estate case online?
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, is the statewide public case search for Wisconsin circuit court cases. Probate case types are part of the Wisconsin circuit court system, but do not assume that every document can be viewed there.
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.