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Portage County, WI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Portage County information |
|---|---|
| Court | The Circuit Court for Portage County. Probate filings go through the Portage County Register in Probate. |
| Courthouse address | Portage County Courthouse, 1516 Church Street, 2nd floor, Stevens Point, WI 54481. |
| Mailing address | Portage County Register in Probate, Portage County Courthouse, 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481. |
| Phone | (715) 346-1490. |
| Fax | The Register in Probate publishes no fax number for probate filings. |
| Hours | 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed legal holidays. |
| Estate fee | Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate fee 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, (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. A separate $35 per-party electronic filing fee applies when a party e-files (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)). |
| Local forms | Portage County publishes no local probate packet or cover sheet. Local Rule 7.9.01 requires the standard statewide Wisconsin court forms. |
| E-filing | Attorneys and high-volume filing agents must e-file under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a). A self-represented filer may opt in or may file, serve and receive paper documents by traditional methods under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(b), (c). Portage County encourages e-filing by all parties. |
| Case search | Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, is the statewide case search at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. Probate cases use PR and IN case-type codes. |
| Remote appearance | Remote appearance requests use statewide forms GF-306 and GF-307. Local Rule 2.5.01 says requests should be made at least one week ahead; the court's public instructions ask for at least 48 hours before the hearing. The judge decides whether to allow the appearance. |
| Website | Portage County Register in Probate. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Wisconsin probate path, identify the assets, debts, real estate, beneficiary designations, marital property questions, and any medical assistance or long-term care benefits. Portage County's Register in Probate says its office cannot collect information or investigate assets for the estate, so you should arrive with the estate settlement facts organized.
Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families find accounts and assets before filing. That asset picture helps you decide whether Portage County needs an informal administration, a formal administration, a register of deeds step for real estate, or another statewide Wisconsin route.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File a Portage County estate with the Portage County Register in Probate at the courthouse in Stevens Point when the decedent was domiciled in Portage County at death. Wisconsin places jurisdiction for administering a decedent's estate in the county of domicile at death; if the decedent had no Wisconsin domicile, jurisdiction is in any Wisconsin county where the decedent's property is located, and the court that first acts has exclusive jurisdiction (Wis. Stat. § 856.01).
Portage County is its own circuit with three branches (Wis. Stat. § 753.06(9)(im)). Communities include Stevens Point, Plover, Whiting, Park Ridge, Amherst, Rosholt, Almond, and surrounding towns. The Register in Probate, clerk of circuit court, circuit court branches, and register of deeds are all in the Portage County Courthouse at 1516 Church Street.
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the Wisconsin path before you file. Informal administration starts with an application to the probate registrar, formal administration starts with a petition, and some real estate or small-estate steps may use a different statewide route. The Wisconsin Court System guide says the choice of administration is a legal decision court staff cannot make for you.
- Use the statewide probate forms. Portage County Local Rule 7.9.01 requires standard statewide forms, and the probate forms are in Wisconsin Court System Category 26. Common first forms include PR-1801 for informal administration, PR-1901 for formal administration, PR-1806 for proof of heirship, and PR-1810 for Domiciliary Letters.
- File probate papers with the Portage County Register in Probate, not the clerk of circuit court counter. Local Rule 7.3.01 sends all probate subject-matter documents to the Register in Probate office on the 2nd floor of the courthouse. Local Rule 7.5.01 says only original wills are accepted for filing.
- Choose e-filing or paper based on who is filing. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use the electronic filing system (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a)). A self-represented filer may opt in voluntarily or use paper documents by traditional methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(b), (c)). Portage County Local Rule 2.9 gives formatting rules for paper documents.
- Track the estate fee at the inventory stage. Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate fee is $20 at $10,000 or less and 0.2 percent above that amount, measured on property subject to administration less encumbrances, liens or charges (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500; the 0.2 percent rate remains the same. The fee is paid when the inventory or other value document is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)3), and Local Rule 7.5.09 says the statutory charge accompanies the inventory.
- Handle notice and claims. In Wisconsin, the claim deadline is a date set by order, by the court in a formal administration and by the probate registrar in an informal administration, at not less than three nor more than four months from the date of that order (Wis. Stat. § 859.01). Notice is published under Wis. Stat. § 859.07(1) and § 879.05(4). If the required agency-notice facts apply, including medical assistance or long-term care benefits, the personal representative gives the required written notice by registered or certified mail not less than 30 days before that deadline (Wis. Stat. § 859.07(2)).
- Use Portage County's hearing calendar. Informal probate hearings and uncontested formal hearings are scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.; attorneys and parties are not required to appear unless a written objection has been filed in the Register in Probate office. Routine formal probate matters are scheduled on two Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Contested matters are assigned to the judge assigned to the probate rotation.
- Request remote appearance early if one is needed. Portage County uses statewide forms GF-306 and GF-307. Local Rule 2.5.01 says to request remote appearance at least one week ahead, while the court's posted instructions ask for at least 48 hours before the hearing. A remote appearance is discretionary.
- Obtain authority after appointment. The authority document for a Wisconsin personal representative is PR-1810, Domiciliary Letters, used in both informal and formal administration.
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory within the statewide deadline unless extended, pay the statutory estate charge with the inventory, address claims, account for distributions, obtain any required Wisconsin closing certificate for fiduciaries, file beneficiary receipts required by Local Rule 7.5.12, and close by the informal statement or formal judgment path that applies.
Executor duties
Portage County adds several local filing duties to the statewide personal representative role. Local Rule 7.5.09 says the inventory is due no later than six months after appointment unless the court extends the time, and that the statutory estate charge accompanies the inventory. Local Rule 7.5.10 says an estate accounting in an informal action is preferred, and that a statement of attorney fees must be filed when the estate account is not filed in the probate office.
Before an estate closes in Portage County, Local Rule 7.5.11 requires a Wisconsin closing certificate for fiduciaries, and a federal estate tax closing letter if the estate met the standard for a federal estate tax return. Local Rule 7.5.12 requires signed receipts from all beneficiaries receiving a specific bequest or residual distribution. If no final account is filed, residual beneficiaries must also provide statements that they were advised of the personal representative and attorney fees paid.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Portage County
Portage County uses the statewide Wisconsin PR probate forms and publishes no local probate packet or cover sheet. The county's own Local Rule 7.9.01 says standard statewide forms are required for filing, and the county's Court Forms page lists no probate-specific local form.
The correct statewide probate forms are in Wisconsin Court System Category 26 at Circuit court probate forms. Common forms include PR-1801, Application for Informal Administration; PR-1806, Proof of Heirship; PR-1810, Domiciliary Letters; PR-1811, Inventory; PR-1816, Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate; PR-1831, Transfer by Affidavit ($50,000 and Under) under Wis. Stat. § 867.03; and PR-1901, Petition for Formal Administration.
If you are unsure which statewide form fits the estate settlement step you are taking, call the Portage County Register in Probate at (715) 346-1490 before you file.
Fees
Portage County publishes one local payment instruction for the Register in Probate: checks are made payable to "Register in Probate." The county also lists copies at $1 per page under Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(h)1, a charge current as of August 2026 and not changed by 2025 Wis. Act 179.
Other Register in Probate charges are set by statewide statute, not by Portage County. Several certificate, search, safekeeping, claim, and objection charges change on November 1, 2026 under 2025 Wis. Act 179, so check the current Wis. Stat. § 814.66 schedule before requesting those services.
Timeline
- Informal probate hearings and uncontested formal hearings are scheduled by the Register in Probate office on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Attorneys and parties are not required to appear unless a written objection has been filed in that office.
- Routine formal probate matters are scheduled on two Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Contested probate, a demand for formal proceedings, an objection, an insolvent estate, an unclassified probate file, or any matter requiring a court order for hearing is assigned to the judge assigned to the probate rotation.
- Remote appearance requests use GF-306 and GF-307. Local Rule 2.5.01 says to request the appearance at least one week ahead; the court's posted instructions ask for at least 48 hours before the hearing. File the request as early as possible.
- The inventory is due no later than six months after appointment unless the court extends or shortens the time, and Portage County Local Rule 7.5.09 says the statutory estate charge accompanies it (Wis. Stat. § 858.01; Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)3).
- Portage County's probate rule sets a twelve-month disposition expectation from the filing of the petition or application to open the estate. If the estate cannot close within the required time, Local Rule 7.5.14 requires a petition explaining the reason for an extension and a proposed order.
Local nuance
Portage County-specific considerations
| Local rule | What it means in Portage County |
|---|---|
| Probate papers | Local Rule 7.3.01 sends all probate subject-matter documents to the Register in Probate office. File documents before the hearing. |
| Original wills | Local Rule 7.5.01 says only original wills are accepted. If a decedent's will is filed with no estate proceeding, it must be accompanied by a cover letter stating the date of birth and date of death. |
| Objections | Objections to admission of the will or appointment of the personal representative must be written and accompanied by the statutory fee. Objections to claims must be written and filed with a demand for formal administration. |
| Nonresident personal representative | Local Rule 7.5.06 allows a non-Wisconsin resident to be appointed in an informal probate matter only with a Wisconsin resident agent for service of process and a surety bond at least equal to the estimated net value of property requiring administration. |
| Waivers and bond | Local Rule 7.5.07 says a hearing is not required when waivers are filed by interested parties. In an intestate informal case, a surety bond is required unless all interested persons also waive bond. |
| Email and fax | Parties may not email the court unless specifically invited by the court, and probate filings should not be sent by fax. Probate documents belong in the Register in Probate office. |
| Trusts | Local Rule 7.5.15 says trusts are not subject to continuing judicial supervision. |
Small-estate Alternatives
Portage County adds a local paperwork requirement to the statewide summary routes. Local Rule 7.5.02 says proof of heirship must be filed with all opening papers for summary settlement, summary assignment, and special administration petitions. The statewide proof of heirship form is PR-1806.
That local rule does not change the statewide Wisconsin tests for transfer by affidavit, summary settlement, or summary assignment. If real estate is involved, recording steps may also involve the Portage County Register of Deeds in the same courthouse.
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| January 6, 2025 | Portage County Circuit Court Rules took effect. Section 7 covers probate practice, including where probate documents are filed, hearing schedules, original wills, bond, the inventory, closing an estate, and required statewide forms. |
| January 1, 2026 | Legal Action of Wisconsin and Judicare Legal Aid merged into one organization, Legal Action of Wisconsin. Eligible Wisconsin residents use statewide intake at (855) 947-2529. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Portage County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the Portage County Register in Probate on the courthouse 2nd floor and the Portage County Register of Deeds in the same building. A spouse's interest in survivorship marital property or another real estate interest can sometimes be confirmed through the register of deeds rather than a full administration (Wis. Stat. § 867.046). Wisconsin's inventory must identify marital property (Wis. Stat. § 858.01). If an informal estate is opened and everyone signs waivers, Local Rule 7.5.07 says no hearing is required. | Sunset searches for accounts and assets, helps sort what belongs in the estate settlement, and generates the statewide probate packet Portage County requires. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Portage County Local Rule 7.5.06 matters. A non-Wisconsin resident personal representative in an informal probate matter needs a Wisconsin resident agent for service of process and a surety bond at least equal to the estimated net value of property requiring administration. A self-represented filer may use paper filing under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(b), (c), although the county encourages e-filing. Original wills, not copies, are accepted. | Sunset helps the child find accounts from outside Wisconsin, assemble the Portage County packet, and connect with a Wisconsin probate attorney if the bond, service-agent rule, or a hearing makes counsel the practical path. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale often points toward formal administration. Routine formal probate matters in Portage County are scheduled on two Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and contested matters go to the judge assigned to the probate rotation. Before closing, Local Rule 7.5.11 requires a Wisconsin closing certificate for fiduciaries, and Local Rule 7.5.12 requires signed receipts from beneficiaries. | Sunset gathers the asset picture, prepares the probate packet, and connects the parent with a local probate attorney for the sale and closing steps of the estate settlement. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Portage County Register in Probate | Local probate filing office with courthouse location, direct phone, hours, and probate fee information. | Register in Probate |
| Portage County Circuit Court Rules | Local court rules effective January 6, 2025, including probate practice rules for filings, hearings, original wills, bond, inventory, and closing. | Circuit court rules |
| Portage County Clerk of Circuit Court | Remote appearance forms, e-filing links, public access computers, and courthouse case-lookup information. | Clerk of circuit court |
| A personal representative's guide to informal estate administration in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Court System self-help guide for informal administration, prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association and revised November 2025. | Informal administration guide |
| Wisconsin Court System self-help law center, probate | State probate self-help page with links to the guide, statewide probate forms, and Register in Probate information. | Probate self-help |
| Circuit court probate forms | Statewide PR probate forms, Category 26. | Probate forms |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Access | Statewide public case search for Wisconsin circuit court cases, including probate cases. | WCCA |
| State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral Service | Statewide lawyer referral line at (800) 362-9082. Portage County's Register in Probate page points readers with legal questions to this service. | Lawyer referral |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin | Free civil legal aid for eligible low-income Wisconsin residents. Statewide intake is (855) 947-2529 or online application. Let intake decide whether the issue fits its services. | Legal Action of Wisconsin |
When to hire an attorney
In a Wisconsin court proceeding, a personal representative appears by attorney (Wis. Stat. § 879.15(2)). Informal administration under Wis. Stat. ch. 865 runs administratively before the probate registrar rather than as a proceeding in court, which is why the Wisconsin Court System publishes a personal representative's guide to informal estate administration and why probate registrar staff have a statutory duty to advise, within their competence, on preparing those documents (Wis. Stat. § 865.065(2)). The court system's self-help guide, prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association, states that formal administration requires the assistance of an attorney, that informal administration may be granted without an attorney's assistance, and that summary settlement does not require an attorney's assistance. Summary settlement and summary assignment also carry their own express right to appear in person (Wis. Stat. § 867.01(5), § 867.02(5)). In Portage County, counsel is especially useful when real estate must be sold, a will or claim is objected to, a nonresident personal representative needs a Wisconsin agent for service of process and bond under Local Rule 7.5.06, or the matter is on the formal Tuesday calendar. Sunset connects families to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Portage County's Register in Probate says its office cannot collect information or investigate assets for a party. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions so families can identify accounts, debts, and property before starting estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Portage County requires the statewide Wisconsin probate forms. Sunset helps assemble the right packet for the path you choose, including the local details that matter in Stevens Point, such as original wills, proof of heirship for summary petitions, and inventory timing.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs formal administration, a real estate sale, a contested hearing, a nonresident personal representative bond, or help deciding which Wisconsin path applies, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's asset discovery, probate packet, and attorney connection without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file to probate a will in Portage County?
File with the Portage County Register in Probate on the 2nd floor of the Portage County Courthouse, 1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Local Rule 7.3.01 sends all probate subject-matter documents to that office. Local Rule 7.5.01 says only original wills are accepted for filing.
What number do I call for probate in Portage County?
Call the Portage County Register in Probate at (715) 346-1490. That is the probate office's direct public number.
When is the Portage County Register in Probate open?
The office is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed legal holidays. The county also publishes courthouse closure dates, so call before traveling near a holiday.
When are probate hearings held in Portage County, and do I have to attend?
Informal probate hearings and uncontested formal hearings are scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Attorneys and parties are not required to appear unless a written objection has been filed in the Register in Probate office. Routine formal probate matters are scheduled on two Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Do I have to e-file, or can I file probate papers on paper in Portage County?
Attorneys and high-volume filing agents must e-file under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a). A self-represented filer may opt in voluntarily or may file, serve, and receive paper documents by traditional methods under Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(b), (c). Portage County encourages e-filing by all parties and sets paper formatting rules in Local Rule 2.9.
What does it cost to open an estate in Portage 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). Effective November 1, 2026, 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes those figures to $36 and $18,500; the 0.2 percent rate does not change. The charge is paid when the inventory is filed, not at opening (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)3). If you e-file, the separate electronic filing fee is $35 per party per case (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)). Portage County asks that checks to the Register in Probate be payable to "Register in Probate."
Does Portage County have its own probate forms?
No local probate packet or cover sheet is published by Portage County. Use the statewide Wisconsin PR forms in Category 26. The county's own Local Rule 7.9.01 requires the standard statewide forms.
Can I look up a Portage County estate case online?
Yes. Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, is the statewide case search for circuit court cases, including probate cases. Portage County also has public access computers in the courthouse on the 2nd floor, plus a kiosk for cases scheduled for hearing that day.
Can I appear by Zoom or by phone in a Portage County probate hearing?
Portage County uses statewide forms GF-306 and GF-307 for remote appearance requests. Local Rule 2.5.01 says to request the appearance at least one week in advance, while the court's posted instructions ask for at least 48 hours before the hearing. The judge decides whether to allow the appearance. For Wednesday informal and uncontested formal hearings, attorneys may appear by phone if they schedule through the Register in Probate.
How long does a Portage County estate take?
Portage County's probate rules set a twelve-month disposition expectation from filing the petition or application to open the estate, with an extension available by petition and proposed order. That is not a promise for every estate. Statewide, the inventory is due no later than six months after appointment unless the court changes the time (Wis. Stat. § 858.01), and an informal personal representative's appointment terminates six months after the closing statement is filed if nothing is pending (Wis. Stat. § 865.16(2)).
Do I need a lawyer for a Portage County estate?
The Wisconsin Court System's informal administration guide says formal administration requires the assistance of an attorney, informal administration may be granted without an attorney's assistance, and summary settlement does not require an attorney's assistance. In a Wisconsin court proceeding, a personal representative appears by attorney (Wis. Stat. § 879.15(2)). In Portage County, talk with counsel when a home must be sold, a will or claim is disputed, a nonresident personal representative must meet the local agent and bond rule, or the matter is set for formal proceedings.
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.