Back to Wisconsin
Sauk County, WI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Local detail |
|---|---|
| Court | The Circuit Court for Sauk County. Estate filings go through the Sauk County Register in Probate. |
| Courthouse address | Sauk County Register in Probate, Room C234, Sauk County Courthouse, 510 Broadway Street, Baraboo, WI 53913. |
| Mailing | Use the Register in Probate office address above unless the office gives different instructions for your filing. |
| Phone | (608) 355-3226 |
| Fax | (608) 355-4436 |
| Hours | County offices operate Monday through Friday. The Register in Probate page does not publish office-specific opening times, lunch closures or filing cutoffs, so call before going. |
| Appointments | Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule by calling (608) 355-3226. |
| Estate fee | Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate fee is $20 if the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges, is $10,000 or less, and 0.2 percent of that value if it is more, paid when the inventory is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, (1)(a)3). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500 effective November 1, 2026; the 0.2 percent rate does not change. |
| Local forms | Sauk County publishes informal-administration guidance naming the statewide PR forms it uses. It does not publish a separate Sauk County probate packet or cover sheet. |
| Electronic filing | Attorneys and high-volume filing agents use statewide electronic filing. Self-represented filers may opt in or file by traditional paper methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a), (b), (c)). The electronic filing fee is $35 per party per case (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)). |
| Case search | Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. |
| Remote appearance | Sauk County local rules do not publish a probate-specific remote appearance process. Call the Register in Probate before assuming a hearing can be handled remotely. |
| Website | https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/registerinprobate |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Sauk County, list the accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, beneficiary designations and possible marital property issues. Wisconsin estate settlement depends on what is actually subject to administration, not on every asset the person owned.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families identify accounts before choosing an informal administration, formal administration or a transfer route. That asset map also helps you call the Sauk County Register in Probate with concrete questions instead of guesses.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Sauk County probate filings are handled countywide in Baraboo at the Sauk County Register in Probate, Room C234, 510 Broadway Street. File in Sauk County when the decedent was domiciled anywhere in Sauk County at death; if the decedent had no Wisconsin domicile, a Wisconsin county where the decedent left property may exercise jurisdiction, and the first Wisconsin court to do so has exclusive jurisdiction (Wis. Stat. § 856.01).
Sauk County is its own circuit for estate filings. Do not use 515 Oak Street for the Register in Probate office unless the office directs you there for a specific purpose.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the local path. Informal administration is handled administratively before the probate registrar, and Sauk County's own informal-administration guidance is the practical starting point for a self-represented estate settlement. Sauk County's formal-administration page directs that formal filings are completed and electronically filed by legal counsel.
- Gather the forms. Start with the statewide PR forms and Sauk County's informal-administration guidance. Common opening forms include PR-1801, PR-1803, PR-1806, PR-1807, PR-1808, PR-1804 and PR-1810, depending on the estate.
- File with the Sauk County Register in Probate at 510 Broadway Street, Room C234, Baraboo. If someone has the original will, Wisconsin imposes a 30-day duty to file or deliver it after learning of the death and the person's role (Wis. Stat. § 856.05(1)).
- Handle electronic filing correctly. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents file electronically under statewide rules. A self-represented filer may voluntarily use the system or remain a paper party (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a), (b), (c)).
- Budget for the estate fee at the inventory stage. Through October 31, 2026, the statewide estate fee is $20 at $10,000 or less, or 0.2 percent above that amount, based on property subject to administration after encumbrances, liens or charges (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, (1)(a)3). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500 effective November 1, 2026.
- Give notice and watch the claims date. In Wisconsin, the court or the probate registrar sets the claim deadline by order at a date not less than three months and not more than four months from the date of the order (Wis. Stat. § 859.01). Sauk County's informal guidance tells personal representatives to check for filed claims by contacting the Register in Probate with the case number or by searching WCCA by case number and county, or by name and county.
- Attend any scheduled hearing or ask about remote options before the hearing date. Sauk County local rules do not publish a probate-specific remote procedure, so call the Register in Probate if travel is a problem.
- Use Domiciliary Letters when authority is issued. PR-1810 is the authority document for a personal representative in both informal and formal administration.
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory within a reasonable time and no later than six months after appointment unless the court changes that time (Wis. Stat. § 858.01). Sauk County's informal guidance names PR-1814, PR-1815 and PR-1816 for accounting, receipts and the personal representative's statement to close.
Executor duties
In Sauk County, a personal representative should build claim checking into the local estate settlement workflow. The county's informal-administration guidance tells the personal representative or attorney to verify whether claims have been filed by calling the Sauk County Register in Probate with the case number or by searching WCCA by case number and county, or by name and county, before closing the estate.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Sauk County
Wisconsin uses statewide PR probate forms, and Sauk County's informal-administration guidance identifies the forms it expects in a typical informal estate. The local guidance names PR-1801 Application for Informal Administration, PR-1806 Proof of Heirship, PR-1803 Waiver and Consent, PR-1808 Statement of Informal Administration, PR-1804 Notice to Creditors, PR-1807 Consent to Serve as Personal Representative, PR-1810 Domiciliary Letters and PR-1811 Inventory.
For closing and related steps, Sauk County's informal-administration guidance also names PR-1814 Estate Account, PR-1815 Estate Receipt, PR-1816 Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate, PR-1817 Declaration of Service, PR-1812 Statement of Termination and Confirmation of Interest(s) in Property, PR-1818 Transfer of Interest in Property, and extension forms PR-3011, PR-3012, PR-3015 and PR-3016. Sauk County does not publish a separate local probate packet or cover sheet distinct from the statewide forms.
The statewide probate forms index is at https://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit/ccform.jsp?Category=26&SubCat=All. Sauk County also states that forms may be obtained from the Register in Probate for a fee or downloaded from the Wisconsin Court System.
Local nuance
Sauk County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Correct office address | Use 510 Broadway Street, Room C234, Baraboo, for the Sauk County Register in Probate. The 515 Oak Street building is not the Register in Probate office address for estate filings. |
| Appointments | Appointments are encouraged but not required. Call (608) 355-3226 before visiting, especially if you need forms reviewed for an informal estate settlement. |
| Probate registrar wording | Sauk County's own contact page names the office as Register in Probate, probate registrar and juvenile clerk of court. For Sauk County, it is safe to say the local office performs the probate registrar role for informal administration. |
| Formal filings | Sauk County's formal-administration page says formal filings are completed and electronically filed by legal counsel. That local page fits Wisconsin's rule that a personal representative appears by attorney in a court proceeding (Wis. Stat. § 879.15(2)). |
| Facsimile filings | Sauk County local Rule 7 limits facsimile filings to documents that do not exceed 15 pages, and only when no fee or added charge is involved. A facsimile document completed after regular business hours is treated as filed that day if submitted by 11:59 p.m. central time and later accepted. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Sauk County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | If the home passes by survivorship marital property or another survivorship arrangement, the spouse may need a real-estate title step rather than a full estate administration. Wisconsin also has a summary confirmation route for certain interests in property (Wis. Stat. § 867.046). Call the Sauk County Register in Probate before filing if the only issue is clearing title. | Sunset helps identify whether the home, accounts and debts are part of the estate settlement or pass outside administration. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If Wisconsin property subject to administration does not exceed $50,000 in gross value, a transfer by affidavit may fit (Wis. Stat. § 867.03). If real estate is involved, recording steps may be needed in the county where the real property is located, and medical assistance notice issues must be checked. | Sunset helps find accounts, prepare a document list and decide whether a Sauk County filing or a noncourt transfer route is worth discussing with the office. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually requires clear authority. If all interested persons agree and informal administration is available, the Sauk County informal-administration forms may be the starting point. If a dispute, formal proceeding or court order is needed, Sauk County's formal page points families to legal counsel. | Sunset helps organize asset information, generate a probate packet for review and connect the family with a local probate attorney when the sale needs court-supervised authority. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Sauk County Register in Probate, https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/registerinprobate | Local contact information, general probate information, and Sauk County pages for formal and informal administration. |
| Sauk County Local Court Rules, https://www.wisbar.org/Directories/CourtRules/Wisconsin%20Circuit%20Court%20Rules/Sauk%20County%20Circuit%20Court%20Rules.pdf | Local circuit court rules, including facsimile filing limits and general courtroom procedure. |
| A Personal Representative's Guide to Informal Estate Administration in Wisconsin, https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/docs/probateguide.pdf | Statewide self-help guide for informal administration, prepared by the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association and hosted by the Wisconsin Court System. |
| Wisconsin Court System self-help law center, probate, https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/probate.htm | Statewide probate self-help hub with links to forms and related resources. |
| Circuit court probate forms, https://www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit/ccform.jsp?Category=26&SubCat=All | Statewide PR probate forms. |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, https://wcca.wicourts.gov/ | Statewide case search for Wisconsin circuit court cases, including probate case types. Do not rely on it for document access. |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin, https://legalaction.org/ | Free civil legal aid intake for eligible Wisconsin residents, statewide intake (855) 947-2529. |
| Wisconsin State Law Library, Sauk County legal resources, https://wilawlibrary.gov/topics/county.php?c=Sauk&a=a&l=l&f=f&r=r | County legal resources index maintained by the State Law Library. |
When to hire an attorney
In a Wisconsin court proceeding, a personal representative appears by attorney (Wis. Stat. § 879.15(2)). Informal administration runs administratively before the probate registrar, and the Wisconsin Court System's self-help guide states that informal administration may be granted without an attorney's assistance while formal administration requires an attorney's assistance. Sauk County's own formal-administration page says formal filings are completed and electronically filed by legal counsel. If the estate involves a dispute, a sale of real estate, unclear heirs, creditor problems or a shift from informal to formal administration, legal advice is usually the safer path. Sunset connects families to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across 2,300 financial institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, investments and other assets that may affect Sauk County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized probate packet, so the forms, asset list and next questions are ready for the Sauk County Register in Probate or for an attorney's review.
Find a local probate attorney. When formal administration, a contested issue or a real-estate sale calls for counsel, Sunset connects families with a vetted Wisconsin probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools, asset discovery and attorney matching without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Sauk County?
File estate paperwork with the Sauk County Register in Probate at Room C234, Sauk County Courthouse, 510 Broadway Street, Baraboo, WI 53913. Use that office address for the Register in Probate, not 515 Oak Street.
Can I use electronic filing for a Sauk County estate?
Yes, under Wisconsin's statewide system. Attorneys and high-volume filing agents file electronically, while self-represented filers may opt in voluntarily or use traditional paper methods (Wis. Stat. § 801.18(3)(a), (b), (c)). The electronic filing fee is $35 per party per case (Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4m), § 801.18(7)).
Does Sauk County require an appointment with the Register in Probate?
Appointments are encouraged but not required. Call (608) 355-3226 to schedule or to ask what to bring.
Does Sauk County have its own probate forms?
Sauk County publishes informal-administration guidance that identifies the statewide PR forms it uses. It does not publish a separate local probate packet or cover sheet.
How do I look up a Sauk County probate case?
Use Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, WCCA, at https://wcca.wicourts.gov/. Sauk County's informal-administration guidance also tells personal representatives to check for claims by searching WCCA by case number and county, or by name and county, or by calling the Register in Probate with the case number.
Can I appear remotely for a Sauk County probate hearing?
Sauk County local rules do not publish a probate-specific remote appearance procedure. If a hearing is scheduled and travel is difficult, call the Register in Probate before the hearing date to ask what the court will allow.
What estate fee applies in Sauk County?
The estate 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, paid when the inventory is filed (Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2, (1)(a)3). 2025 Wis. Act 179 changes the minimum to $36 and the threshold to $18,500 effective November 1, 2026; the 0.2 percent rate does not change.
Do I have to travel to Baraboo to start a Sauk County estate?
Not always, but do not assume the office can handle your specific filing without an in-person step. Call the Sauk County Register in Probate at (608) 355-3226 before traveling, especially if you are out of state or need to file an original will.
Does formal administration work differently in Sauk County?
Sauk County's formal-administration page says formal filings are completed and electronically filed by legal counsel. Informal administration is the local self-help path described on the county's separate informal-administration page and in the Wisconsin Court System guide.
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.