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Pierce County, WI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Pierce County details |
|---|---|
| Court | The Circuit Court for Pierce County |
| Filing office | Pierce County Register in Probate |
| Courthouse address | Pierce County Courthouse, Second Level, Room 201, 414 W. Main Street, Ellsworth, WI 54011 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 97, Ellsworth, WI 54011 |
| Phone | (715) 273-6752 |
| Fax | (715) 273-6794 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on holidays |
| Estate fee | Statewide statutory amount paid when the inventory is filed: through October 31, 2026, $20 if the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges, is $10,000 or less, and 0.2 percent above that amount (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, § 814.66(1)(a)3). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the figures to $36 and $18,500, with the 0.2 percent rate unchanged. |
| E-filing | Attorneys and high-volume filing agents must e-file. Self-represented parties may opt in or use traditional paper filing. The separate e-filing fee is $35 per party per case under Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), unless waived. |
| Case search | Wisconsin Circuit Court Access at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| Remote appearance | Pierce County Local Rule 209 requires a written request at least two business days before the hearing unless extenuating circumstances prevent it. A party should plan to appear in person unless the request is granted. |
| Local forms | Pierce County uses statewide PR probate forms and local case-management forms, guidelines and checklists when appropriate. |
| Website | https://www.co.pierce.wi.us/departments/register_in_probate/index.php |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Wisconsin probate path, identify the accounts, real estate, debts, beneficiary designations and co-owned property first. In Pierce County, that asset list also affects the inventory fee and the local inventory deadline, because Pierce County Local Rule 705.07 requires the inventory no later than four months after domiciliary letters issue.
Sunset's estate settlement process includes asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, so families can see what may need probate, what may pass outside probate, and what information belongs in the Pierce County probate packet.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Pierce County estates are filed in Ellsworth with the Circuit Court for Pierce County through the Pierce County Register in Probate. Pierce County is a single-county circuit in the 7th judicial administrative district and is not one of Wisconsin's shared two-county circuits.
Wisconsin jurisdiction for administration is based on domicile or Wisconsin property. If the decedent was domiciled in Wisconsin, the proceeding belongs in the Wisconsin county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent had no Wisconsin domicile, the proceeding may be 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).
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether the Pierce County matter will proceed as informal administration, formal administration, summary settlement, summary assignment or another Wisconsin probate route. Informal administration is handled administratively before the probate registrar under Wis. Stat. ch. 865. Formal administration is a court proceeding.
- Gather the required statewide PR forms. Common informal forms include PR-1801, Application for Informal Administration, PR-1806, Proof of Heirship, PR-1807, Consent to Serve, PR-1808, Statement of Informal Administration, and PR-1810, Domiciliary Letters. Formal administration begins with PR-1901, Petition for Formal Administration.
- File with the Pierce County Register in Probate at the Pierce County Courthouse in Ellsworth or by mail to PO Box 97, Ellsworth, WI 54011. If a will exists, Wisconsin requires the original will to be filed with the court within the statutory time frame (Wis. Stat. § 856.05), and Pierce County Local Rule 705.01 says only original wills are accepted for filing.
- Use e-filing if you are an attorney or high-volume filing agent. A self-represented filer may register and opt in voluntarily, or may file, serve and receive paper documents by traditional 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 under Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), unless waived.
- Expect the estate fee to be assessed when the inventory is filed, not when the opening papers are filed. Through October 31, 2026, the amount is $20 at $10,000 or less and 0.2 percent above that amount, based on property subject to administration after encumbrances, liens or charges (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, § 814.66(1)(a)3). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes those figures to $36 and $18,500, with the 0.2 percent rate unchanged.
- Give required notices. In a regular administration, the court or the probate registrar sets a claim-filing deadline by order at a date not less than three nor more than four months from the date of the order, and notice is published as required by Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 859.01, § 859.07).
- If a hearing is needed, the Pierce County Register in Probate schedules probate cases on the judge's probate calendar. Pierce County Local Rule 704 says the calendar normally sits two Tuesdays a month from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
- If you need to appear remotely, make the request in writing at least two business days before the hearing under Pierce County Local Rule 209, unless extenuating circumstances prevent it. Do not assume the request is granted until the court allows it.
- After appointment, obtain domiciliary letters, PR-1810, as the authority document for the personal representative. Pierce County Local Rule 705.07 requires the inventory and the statutory estate fee no later than four months after those letters issue.
- Administer and close the estate. Pierce County Local Rules require closing materials that include signed receipts from heirs or beneficiaries and documentation that residual beneficiaries or heirs were told the amount of personal representative and attorney fees. A written request is needed if more time is required to close.
Executor duties
Wisconsin uses the term personal representative for the person many families call an executor. In Pierce County, local probate rules add practical duties to the statewide role.
| Local duty | Pierce County rule |
|---|---|
| Inventory timing | Pierce County Local Rule 705.07 requires the estate inventory no later than four months after domiciliary letters issue, together with the statutory estate fee. |
| Original will | Pierce County Local Rule 705.01 says only original wills are accepted for filing with the court. |
| Closing materials | Pierce County Local Rule 705.09 requires signed receipts from heirs or beneficiaries and documentation that residual beneficiaries or heirs were told the amount of personal representative and attorney fees. |
| Extension to close | Pierce County Local Rule 705.10 requires a petition stating the reasons and a proposed order if more time is needed to close the estate. |
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Pierce County
Pierce County uses the statewide Wisconsin PR probate form set published by the Wisconsin Court System. Pierce County Local Rule 709 also refers to case-management forms, guidelines and checklists created by the Pierce County Register in Probate for use when appropriate.
| Need | Common form or local practice |
|---|---|
| Informal administration | Start with PR-1801, Application for Informal Administration, and related PR-18xx forms as the facts require. |
| Formal administration | Start with PR-1901, Petition for Formal Administration. |
| Authority document | PR-1810, Domiciliary Letters, is used in both informal and formal administration. |
| Inventory | PR-1811, Inventory, is due locally no later than four months after domiciliary letters issue under Pierce County Local Rule 705.07. |
| Summary settlement and summary assignment | Pierce County Local Rule 705.02 requires proof of heirship with all opening papers for summary settlement and summary assignment petitions. |
| Local checklists | Ask the Pierce County Register in Probate for any case-management checklist that applies to the filing. |
Timeline
- Before filing, gather the original will if one exists, asset information, interested-person information, creditor information and the appropriate statewide PR forms.
- After the opening papers are filed, the court or probate registrar sets the claim-filing deadline by order at a date not less than three nor more than four months from the order date (Wis. Stat. § 859.01).
- If a hearing is needed, Pierce County Local Rule 704 places probate cases on a calendar that normally sits two Tuesdays a month from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
- After domiciliary letters issue, Pierce County Local Rule 705.07 requires the inventory no later than four months later, together with the statewide statutory estate fee.
- The local benchmark incorporated in Pierce County Local Rules is disposition of estate actions within twelve months of filing the petition or application, unless the court extends the time for good cause.
Local nuance
Pierce County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Pierce County |
|---|---|
| Probate calendar | The Register in Probate schedules probate cases on the judge's probate calendar. Pierce County Local Rule 704 says that calendar normally sits two Tuesdays a month from 10:30 a.m. to noon. |
| Inventory deadline | Pierce County Local Rule 705.07 requires the inventory no later than four months after domiciliary letters issue. |
| Remote appearance | Pierce County Local Rule 209 requires a written phone or videoconference request at least two business days before the hearing unless extenuating circumstances prevent it. |
| Email filing | Pierce County Local Rule 207 says documents transmitted by email are not accepted for filing. |
| Written objections | Pierce County Local Rules 705.05 and 705.06 require objections to a will or to a claim to be filed in writing. |
Small-estate Alternatives
Pierce County adds a local paperwork point to Wisconsin summary procedures. Pierce County Local Rule 705.02 requires proof of heirship with all opening papers for summary settlement and summary assignment petitions.
If the family is using transfer by affidavit, Wisconsin's $50,000 limit is a gross-value test for property subject to administration in this state, and the affidavit is governed by Wis. Stat. § 867.03. If real estate in Pierce County is involved, ask the appropriate county office what recording materials and recording charges are required before relying on the affidavit.
Recent updates
| Change | What changed |
|---|---|
| Pierce County Local Rules effective April 1, 2025 | The local rules include a probate calendar, local inventory deadline, original-will rule, remote-appearance process and closing requirements for estate actions. |
| State fee change effective November 1, 2026 | 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the statewide estate fee figures from $20 and $10,000 under Wis. Stat. § 814.66 to $36 and $18,500, while leaving the 0.2 percent rate unchanged. |
Scenarios
| Archetype | Localized path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by checking how the home is titled and whether Wisconsin survivorship marital property or another nonprobate route applies. If a Pierce County court filing is needed, use the Register in Probate in Ellsworth and watch the local four-month inventory deadline after domiciliary letters issue. | Sunset helps identify accounts, title clues and beneficiary designations so the spouse can see what belongs in the Pierce County estate settlement and what may pass outside probate. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If Wisconsin transfer by affidavit fits, the $50,000 gross-value limit is governed by Wis. Stat. § 867.03. If summary settlement or summary assignment is needed instead, Pierce County Local Rule 705.02 requires proof of heirship with the opening papers. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, generate the packet for the correct Wisconsin path and connect the child with local counsel if the matter becomes formal or contested. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale often requires clear authority, careful title review and attention to Pierce County closing requirements. If formal administration is needed, the Wisconsin self-help guide says formal administration requires attorney assistance. | Sunset helps collect asset information, prepare the estate settlement plan and connect the parent with a vetted probate attorney familiar with Wisconsin administration. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce County Register in Probate | Local filing office for estate matters in Ellsworth, including local checklists and scheduling questions. | https://www.co.pierce.wi.us/departments/register_in_probate/index.php |
| Wisconsin Court System probate self-help page | State court self-help page for probate, forms and public resources. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/probate.htm |
| A Personal Representative's Guide to Informal Estate Administration in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Court System handbook prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association for informal administration. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/docs/probateguide.pdf |
| Circuit court probate forms | Statewide Wisconsin PR probate forms, Category 26. | https://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit/ccform.jsp?Category=26&SubCat=All |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Access | Public circuit court case search for Wisconsin cases, including probate case types. | https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin | Free civil legal aid intake for eligible low-income Wisconsin residents. The intake number is (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 Wisconsin Court System's informal-administration guide says formal administration requires attorney assistance, while informal administration may be granted without attorney assistance and summary settlement does not require attorney assistance. In Pierce County, counsel is especially useful when a will contest, claim objection, real estate sale, tax closing certificate issue, missed deadline or remote-appearance problem is involved. Sunset connects you to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families build a clearer picture of bank accounts, investments, insurance, real estate and liabilities before choosing a Pierce County probate path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset uses the information you provide to assemble a Wisconsin probate packet for estate settlement, including the forms and supporting details that fit the selected path.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Pierce County matter needs formal administration, a contested hearing, 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 settlement process, understand next steps and get connected to professional help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Pierce County?
File with the Pierce County Register in Probate at the Pierce County Courthouse, Second Level, Room 201, 414 W. Main Street, Ellsworth, WI 54011. Mail filings to PO Box 97, Ellsworth, WI 54011.
What phone number should I use for the Pierce County Register in Probate?
Call the Pierce County Register in Probate at (715) 273-6752. The Clerk of Circuit Court is a different office with a different number.
Does Pierce County require e-filing for probate?
Attorneys and high-volume filing agents must e-file in Wisconsin probate matters. A self-represented filer may opt in voluntarily or use traditional paper filing under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3). The e-filing fee is $35 per party per case under Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), unless waived.
When are Pierce County probate hearings scheduled?
Pierce County Local Rule 704 says the Register in Probate schedules probate cases on the judge's probate calendar, which normally sits two Tuesdays a month from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Can I appear remotely for a Pierce County probate hearing?
Possibly. Pierce County Local Rule 209 requires a written request to appear by phone or videoconference at least two business days before the hearing unless extenuating circumstances prevent it. Plan to appear in person unless the court grants the request.
Can I look up a Pierce 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 it for case lookup, not as a substitute for the court file.
Does Pierce County have local probate forms?
Pierce County uses the statewide Wisconsin PR probate forms. Pierce County Local Rule 709 also refers to case-management forms, guidelines and checklists created by the Pierce County Register in Probate for use when appropriate.
When is the inventory due in a Pierce County estate?
Pierce County Local Rule 705.07 requires the inventory no later than four months after domiciliary letters issue, together with the statutory estate fee.
How much is the Wisconsin estate fee in Pierce County?
The amount is statewide. Through October 31, 2026, it is $20 at $10,000 or less and 0.2 percent above that amount, based on property subject to administration after encumbrances, liens or charges, and it is paid 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 changes the figures to $36 and $18,500, with the 0.2 percent rate unchanged.
Do I have to travel to Ellsworth for Pierce County probate?
Not always. Some filings may be mailed, attorneys e-file, and self-represented filers may opt in to e-filing. If a hearing is set, follow the notice and request any remote appearance in writing under Pierce County Local Rule 209.
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.