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Racine County, WI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court and filing office | The Circuit Court for Racine County. Estate filings go to the Racine County Register in Probate on the 6th floor. |
| Courthouse address | Racine County Courthouse, 730 Wisconsin Avenue, 6th floor, Racine, WI 53403. |
| Mailing address | Racine Clerk of Circuit Courts - Probate Court, 730 Wisconsin Ave, Racine, WI 53403. If the assigned court official is known, include that on the envelope. |
| Phone | Racine County Register in Probate: (262) 636-3137. The Clerk of Circuit Court's main line, (262) 636-3333, is a different counter. |
| Fax | Probate fax: (262) 636-3870. Do not treat fax as the ordinary filing method for an estate. |
| [email protected] for general questions only. Racine County states that documents for filing cannot be accepted by email. | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Racine County asks visitors to be prepared to conclude all business by 4:10 p.m. |
| Statutory estate fee | Through October 31, 2026, $20 when the value 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 raises the minimum to $36 at $18,500 or less, with the 0.2 percent rate unchanged. |
| Electronic filing | Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use Wisconsin circuit court electronic filing. Self-represented filers may opt in or may file by traditional paper methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a), (b), (c)). The separate electronic filing fee is $35 per party per case (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)). |
| Local forms | Racine County publishes no probate court packet or cover sheet for a decedent's estate. Use the statewide Wisconsin PR forms. |
| Case search | Wisconsin Circuit Court Access: https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. Search at the case level by name or case number. |
| Remote appearance | Racine County publishes rules for virtual proceedings, but a remote appearance in an estate matter depends on the assigned branch and the court's order. |
| Website | Racine County Probate Court: https://www.racinecounty.gov/departments/clerk-of-circuit-court/court-branches/probate-court. Racine County contact information: https://www.racinecounty.gov/departments/clerk-of-circuit-court/info-resources/court-information/contact-the-courts. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Wisconsin probate route, list the assets, debts, real estate, beneficiary designations and co-owned property. In Racine County, that work matters locally because the statutory estate fee is paid when the inventory sets the value, and the county's local rule also requires the inventory to state how real estate value was determined.
Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families find accounts and assets before they file. A clearer asset picture makes the estate settlement more organized, whether the Racine County matter stays informal, moves to formal administration, or only needs a recording step for real estate.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File a Racine County estate at the Racine County Register in Probate on the 6th floor of the Racine County Courthouse, 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine. Wisconsin places administration of a decedent's estate in the county where a Wisconsin domiciliary lived at death (Wis. Stat. § 856.01(1)). If the decedent was not domiciled in Wisconsin, 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(2)).
The Racine courthouse serves decedents domiciled anywhere in Racine County, including Racine, Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, Union Grove, Waterford, Sturtevant, Rochester, Elmwood Park, North Bay and Wind Point. Racine County states that court actions cannot be filed at the Burlington Service Center, although Register of Deeds services for real estate documents are available at Burlington City Hall.
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the right county and the assets. Confirm that the decedent was domiciled in Racine County, or that Wisconsin property supports filing here under Wis. Stat. § 856.01. Gather the will, account information, debts, real estate documents and beneficiary information before choosing a path.
- File the original will when required. Wisconsin gives the person holding a will 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(1)). In Racine County, that means the 6th floor probate counter.
- Choose the statewide form set. Use the Wisconsin Court System probate forms in the PR series. Common starting points include PR-1801 for informal administration and PR-1901 for formal administration. Racine County publishes no local probate court packet or cover sheet for a decedent's estate.
- File with the Racine County Register in Probate. Local Rule V.A says all petitions are filed with the probate division. File by Wisconsin circuit court electronic filing if required, by mail to Racine Clerk of Circuit Courts - Probate Court, 730 Wisconsin Ave, Racine, WI 53403, or in person on the 6th floor. Racine County states that documents for filing cannot be accepted by email.
- Handle the estate fee at the right time. Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate fee is $20 when the value 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 raises the minimum to $36 at $18,500 or less, with the 0.2 percent rate unchanged. The fee is paid when the inventory is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)3), and Racine County Local Rule V.B.8 adds that it is paid when summary petitions are filed.
- Give notice and watch the claim order. In Wisconsin, 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). Publication of the claim deadline is required, and the first insertion must be made within 15 days of the order (Wis. Stat. § 859.07(1)).
- Use waivers when everyone agrees. Racine County Local Rule V.B.1 says a court hearing is not required after filing a petition if all necessary waivers and documents are on file. If a hearing is needed, the assigned judge's notice controls. If notice is given in court to all interested parties, Local Rule I.L says no further notice is given by mail.
- Ask separately for any remote appearance. Racine County has rules for virtual proceedings, including courtroom decorum and video participation where technology is available. Those rules govern conduct in a virtual proceeding; they do not guarantee that a probate hearing will be remote. Use the statewide request process and follow the assigned branch's order.
- Receive authority before acting for the estate. After appointment and qualification, the personal representative receives Domiciliary Letters, form PR-1810, for both informal and formal administration. Those letters evidence authority to act for the estate.
- File the inventory and follow Racine County estate rules. 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). Racine County Local Rule V.B.2 requires the inventory to indicate the method used to determine real estate value, and Local Rule V.B.11 requires an affidavit of mailing as proof that notice was given to creditors.
- Close the estate and record real estate documents. Informal administration closes by the personal representative's sworn statement, with appointment terminating six months later if no proceeding is pending (Wis. Stat. § 865.16(2)). Formal administration closes through final judgment and discharge documents. In Racine County, any final document the assigned judge signs must be submitted with a duplicate copy under Local Rule V.B.3, and real estate documents are recorded with the Racine County Register of Deeds in the same building.
Executor duties
A Wisconsin personal representative has statewide duties, but Racine County adds several practical local requirements through its circuit court rules:
| Local duty | Racine County rule |
|---|---|
| State how real estate value was determined on the inventory. | Local Rule V.B.2 requires the inventory to indicate the method used in determining real estate value. |
| Send or bring a duplicate of any final document for the assigned judge to sign. | Local Rule V.B.3 says the assigned judge signs a duplicate copy of the final document, and the duplicate must accompany the original. |
| File proof that creditor notice was mailed. | Local Rule V.B.11 requires an affidavit of mailing as to creditors. |
| Ask for more time before a missed deadline becomes a delinquency problem. | Local Rule V.B.9 requires a petition and order extending time if estate deadlines are not met, and Local Rule V.B.10 provides for review hearings when an estate is delinquent. |
| Add a no-asset letter when filing a will for a decedent with no assets. | Local Rule V.B.7 requires a letter indicating no assets to accompany the will. |
| Flag a copy of a will on the required documents. | Local Rule V.B.13 requires a filed copy of a will to be indicated on the application or petition, waiver and consent, statement of informal administration, and order for administration. |
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Racine County
Racine County uses the statewide Wisconsin Court System probate forms in the PR series. Racine County publishes no probate court packet, county cover sheet or local checklist for a decedent's estate. If you are unsure which statewide form set fits the estate, call the Racine County Register in Probate at (262) 636-3137 before filing.
| Need | Statewide form |
|---|---|
| Start informal administration | PR-1801, Application for Informal Administration |
| Prove family relationships | PR-1806, Proof of Heirship (Informal and Formal Administration) |
| Show authority to act for the estate | PR-1810, Domiciliary Letters (Informal and Formal Administration) |
| File the inventory | PR-1811, Inventory (Informal and Formal Administration) |
| Close informal administration | PR-1816, Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate (Informal Administration) |
| Use transfer by affidavit | PR-1831, Transfer by Affidavit under Wis. Stat. § 867.03 |
| Ask for more time in Racine County | PR-1833, Petition for Extension of Time, and PR-1834, Order for Extension of Time. These match Racine County Local Rule V.B.9. |
| Start formal administration | PR-1901, Petition for Formal Administration |
| Record a formal final judgment involving real estate | PR-1913, Abridgment of Final Judgment, recorded with the Racine County Register of Deeds when real estate is involved. |
The Racine County Register of Deeds is a separate office. It publishes real estate recording materials, including a Termination of Decedent's Property Interest form, HT-110, and recording requirements for documents affecting Racine County real estate.
Timeline
- Open the file at the 6th floor probate counter. Local Rule V.A says all petitions are filed with the probate division.
- Expect no hearing when the waivers and documents are complete. Local Rule V.B.1 says a court hearing is not required after the petition is filed if all necessary waivers and documents are on file.
- Follow the assigned judge's notice if a hearing is needed. Local Rule I.L says that if notice is given in court to all interested parties, no further notice is given by mail.
- Pay the estate fee when the inventory is filed, or when a summary petition is filed. Local Rule V.B.8 matches the statewide inventory timing in Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)3 and adds summary petitions.
- Explain real estate value on the inventory. Local Rule V.B.2 requires the inventory to indicate the method used in determining real estate value.
- Request continuances in writing. Local Rule I.F says the court follows a strict continuance policy, and a continuance request must be in writing, for good cause, to the assigned judge.
- Use an extension petition if an estate deadline is missed. Local Rule V.B.9 requires a Petition for Extension of Time and Order Extending Time, and Local Rule V.B.10 provides for a review hearing when an estate is delinquent.
- Treat the one-year local benchmark as a court-management guide. Local Rules I.G.8 and V.B.12 set an estate benchmark of about one year, and Local Rule I.G says the benchmarks are a guide to the judiciary and bar, not a promised duration for an estate settlement.
- Submit a duplicate of the final document. Local Rule V.B.3 says the assigned judge signs a duplicate copy of the final document in an estate proceeding, and the duplicate must accompany the original.
Local nuance
Racine County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Two counters in one courthouse | Probate is on the 6th floor at (262) 636-3137. The Clerk of Circuit Court's main counter and accounting office are on the 8th floor at (262) 636-3333. |
| 4:10 p.m. counter instruction | The probate counter is open until 4:30 p.m., but Racine County asks visitors to be prepared to conclude all business by 4:10 p.m. |
| Email is for questions | [email protected] is for general questions. Racine County states that documents for filing cannot be accepted by email. |
| Local estate rules | Racine County's Local Rule V.B includes estate rules on waivers, inventory valuation, duplicate final documents, extension requests, creditor-mailing proof and delinquent estates. |
| Real estate recording in the same building | The Racine County Register of Deeds is also at 730 Wisconsin Avenue. Recorded estate documents must include the Parcel Identification Number required by Racine County ordinance. |
| Burlington has limited help | Court actions cannot be filed at the Burlington Service Center, but Register of Deeds services, including filing real estate documents, are available at Burlington City Hall. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| December 2022 local rules | Racine County's current circuit court rules are dated December 2022 and include Part V on probate with estate provisions. |
| Register in Probate office | Racine County states that the Register in Probate returned to being a full-time appointed position in 2024. |
| August 1, 2026 judicial rotation | Racine County judicial assignments rotated effective August 1, 2026, under local rules providing for rotation on August 1 of each even numbered year. The rule itself serves as notice of rotation. |
| January 1, 2026 legal aid merger | Legal Action of Wisconsin and Judicare Legal Aid merged into one organization, Legal Action of Wisconsin. Racine County readers use statewide intake at (855) 947-2529. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Racine County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by separating the estate side from the title side. The estate side is the Racine County Register in Probate on the 6th floor of the courthouse. The title side is the Racine County Register of Deeds in the same building. For some survivorship marital property, Wisconsin allows confirmation at the register of deeds counter rather than by court petition (Wis. Stat. § 867.046(2)). The Racine County Register of Deeds publishes a $30.00 per document recording charge. | Sunset identifies accounts and assets so the spouse can see whether a court administration is needed at all, then assembles the estate settlement packet for the Racine counter or attorney review. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Mail filings to Racine Clerk of Circuit Courts - Probate Court, 730 Wisconsin Ave, Racine, WI 53403, or use Wisconsin circuit court electronic filing if you opt in. A self-represented filer may use paper methods instead of electronic filing (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(b), (c)). Racine County Local Rule V.B.1 says a hearing is not required after the petition if all necessary waivers and documents are on file, so an agreed matter may not require travel. | Sunset finds assets remotely, organizes the information needed for the statewide PR forms, and helps the family decide whether a local attorney should review the estate settlement plan. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate when a home must be sold | A home sale often makes attorney help sensible, especially if formal administration is needed. The inventory must say how real estate value was determined under Local Rule V.B.2. Continuances require a written request for good cause under Local Rule I.F, and missed estate deadlines require an extension petition and order under Local Rule V.B.9. At the end, any real estate document is recorded with the Racine County Register of Deeds in the same building, using that office's recording requirements. | Sunset builds the asset list and packet, then connects the parent with a Wisconsin probate attorney for the sale, final documents and recording steps. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or contact |
|---|---|---|
| Racine County Probate Court | County probate counter information, including the office email and the types of matters handled by the Register in Probate. | https://www.racinecounty.gov/departments/clerk-of-circuit-court/court-branches/probate-court |
| Racine County contact the courts | Use this for the 6th floor location, probate phone, probate fax, mailing address, hours, 4:10 p.m. counter instruction and payment methods. | https://www.racinecounty.gov/departments/clerk-of-circuit-court/info-resources/court-information/contact-the-courts |
| Racine County Circuit Court Rules | The county's local rules dated December 2022, including Part V on probate and its estate provisions. | https://www.racinecounty.gov/departments/clerk-of-circuit-court/info-resources/court-information |
| Wisconsin informal administration guide | An 89-page court-system guide prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association for informal administration. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/docs/probateguide.pdf |
| Wisconsin Court System probate self-help | Statewide probate overview, links to the guide, statewide forms and county Register in Probate information. | https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/probate.htm |
| Wisconsin probate forms | Statewide PR forms for informal administration, formal administration, transfer by affidavit, summary paths and closing documents. | https://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit/ccform.jsp?Category=26&SubCat=All |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Access | Statewide circuit court case search for name or case-number lookup. | https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ |
| Racine County Register of Deeds real estate forms | Recording requirements and real estate forms used after a death, including HT-110 and recording instructions. | https://www.racinecounty.gov/departments/register-of-deeds/real-estate-forms |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin | Free civil legal aid for eligible low-income Wisconsin residents. All requests go through the statewide intake, online or by phone. | https://legalaction.org/ or (855) 947-2529 |
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, and probate registrar staff have a statutory duty to advise, within their competence, on preparing those documents (Wis. Stat. § 865.065(2)). The Wisconsin 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 Racine County, counsel is especially useful when real estate must be sold, an heir objects, a claim is disputed, a deadline has been missed, or the personal representative lives outside Wisconsin. Sunset connects families with a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families identify accounts, balances and likely probate assets before filing in Racine County. That asset picture drives the inventory, the estate fee under Wis. Stat. § 814.66, and the overall estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized packet using the statewide Wisconsin PR forms and Racine County's local requirements, including the 6th floor filing office, the creditor-mailing proof rule and the real estate valuation note on the inventory.
Find a local probate attorney. If the matter needs formal administration, a home sale, contested claims or a hearing, Sunset connects the family with a vetted Wisconsin probate attorney who can appear in the Racine County case.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, find assets, prepare for the Racine County filing and connect with legal help without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file to probate a will in Racine County?
File with the Racine County Register in Probate on the 6th floor of the Racine County Courthouse, 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. The direct probate line is (262) 636-3137. Local Rule V.A says all petitions are filed with the probate division, and Wisconsin places the case in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death (Wis. Stat. § 856.01(1)).
Is the Register in Probate the same office as the Clerk of Circuit Court in Racine County?
No. The Register in Probate handles estates and is on the 6th floor at (262) 636-3137. The Clerk of Circuit Court has a separate main office line, (262) 636-3333, and its new-case counter and accounting office are on the 8th floor. For an estate, use the Register in Probate contact.
When is the Racine County Register in Probate open?
The probate counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Racine County asks visitors to be prepared to conclude all business by 4:10 p.m. Call (262) 636-3137 before traveling if you need to confirm the day's counter schedule.
Do I have to go to a hearing to settle an estate in Racine County?
Not always. Racine County Local Rule V.B.1 says a court hearing is not required after the petition is filed if all necessary waivers and documents are on file. If a hearing is needed, the assigned judge's notice controls, and Local Rule I.L says that if notice is given in court to all interested parties, no further notice is given by mail.
What does it cost to open an estate in Racine County, and when is the fee due?
The estate fee is statewide. Through October 31, 2026, the fee is $20 when the value 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 raises the minimum to $36 at $18,500 or less, with the 0.2 percent rate unchanged. The fee is paid when the inventory is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)3), and Racine County Local Rule V.B.8 adds that it is paid when summary petitions are filed. The separate electronic filing fee is $35 per party per case (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)).
Can I mail a probate filing to Racine County, or do I have to use electronic filing?
You may mail paper filings to Racine Clerk of Circuit Courts - Probate Court, 730 Wisconsin Ave, Racine, WI 53403, or bring them to the 6th floor counter. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents must use electronic filing (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a)). A self-represented filer may opt in to electronic filing or may file, serve and receive paper documents by traditional methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(b), (c)). Racine County states that documents for filing cannot be accepted by email.
Does Racine County have its own probate forms?
No. Racine County publishes no probate court packet or cover sheet for a decedent's estate. Use the statewide Wisconsin Court System PR forms, Category 26. The Racine County Register of Deeds separately publishes real estate recording documents for property work after a death.
Can I file probate paperwork in Burlington instead of Racine?
No. Racine County states that court actions cannot be filed at the Burlington Service Center. Estate filings go to the courthouse in Racine. Register of Deeds services, including the filing of real estate documents, are available at Burlington City Hall, so the real estate recording side may be handled there.
Can I look up a Racine County estate case online?
Yes. Wisconsin circuit court cases, including probate case types, are searchable through Wisconsin Circuit Court Access at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. Search by name or case number. Do not rely on WCCA as a way to read estate documents.
How long does a Racine County estate take?
Racine County's local rules set an estate benchmark of about one year, and the rule calls the benchmarks a guide to the judiciary and bar. That is not a promised duration and not a deadline on the reader. The practical local rule is that missed estate deadlines require a petition and order extending time under Local Rule V.B.9, and a delinquent estate is scheduled for a review hearing under Local Rule V.B.10.
Where do I record paperwork for a house in Racine County?
Record real estate documents with the Racine County Register of Deeds, also at 730 Wisconsin Avenue in Racine. The office requires a complete legal description, a notarized or authenticated grantor signature, the person who drafted the document, a return address and the Parcel Identification Number required by county ordinance. The Racine County Register of Deeds publishes a $30.00 per document recording charge.
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.