865.16(1)(1) As an alternative to closing an estate under ch. 863, a personal representative may close an estate by filing with the probate registrar a verified statement that the personal representative, or a prior personal representative whom he or she has succeeded, has: 865.16(1)(a)(a) Duly given notice to interested persons under s. 865.05 and to creditors under s. 859.07, and that the deadline for filing a claim under s. 859.01 has passed prior to the date of the statement; 865.16(1)(b)(b) Fully administered the estate of the decedent by making payment, settlement or other disposition of all claims which were presented, expenses of administration, reasonable funeral and burial expenses and death and other taxes, except as expressly specified otherwise, and that the assets of the estate have been inventoried and distributed to the persons entitled to them. If any claims, expenses or taxes remain undischarged, the statement shall disclose in detail all arrangements made to accommodate the outstanding liabilities; and 865.16(1)(c)(c) Sent a copy of the statement to all distributees of the estate and to all creditors or other claimants of whom the personal representative is aware whose claims are neither paid nor barred and has furnished a full account in writing of the personal representative’s administration to the distributees whose interests are affected thereby. 865.16(1m)(1m) The probate registrar may review the statement to determine whether the amount of attorney fees, if any, are just and reasonable under s. 851.40. If, in the probate registrar’s judgment, the amount of such attorney fees appear unjust and unreasonable, the probate registrar shall refer the matter to the court for such proceeding or action as the court deems appropriate. 865.16(2)(2) If no proceedings challenging the statement or otherwise involving the personal representative are pending in the court 6 months after the statement is filed, appointment of the personal representative terminates. A personal representative who closes an estate under this subsection may comply with the accounting requirements of ch. 862. 865.17865.17 Liability of distributees to claimants. After assets of an estate have been distributed, and subject to s. 865.19, an undischarged claim not barred by notice under s. 859.07 or otherwise may be prosecuted in a proceeding against one or more distributees of property from an estate administered under this chapter. No distributee shall be liable to claimants for amounts in excess of the value of the distributee’s distribution as of the time of distribution. As among distributees, each shall bear the cost of satisfaction of unbarred claims as if the claim had been satisfied in the course of administration. 865.17 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 39; 1993 a. 486. 865.18865.18 Limitations on proceedings against personal representative. Unless barred by adjudication and except as provided in the closing statement, the rights of interested persons and of creditors whose claims have not otherwise been barred against the personal representative for breach of fiduciary duty are barred unless a proceeding to assert the same is commenced within 6 months after the filing of the closing statement. Rights thus barred do not include recovery for fraud, misrepresentation, or inadequate disclosure related to the settlement of the decedent’s estate. 865.18 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 39. 865.19865.19 Limitations on actions and proceedings against distributees. 865.19(1)(1) Unless previously adjudicated in a formal testacy proceeding or otherwise barred, the claim of any claimant to recover from a distributee who is liable to pay the claim, and the right of any heir or devisee, or of a successor personal representative acting in their behalf, to recover property improperly distributed or the value thereof from any distributee is forever barred at the later of: 865.19(1)(b)(b) One year after the time of distribution thereof. 865.19(2)(2) This section does not bar an action to recover property or value received as the result of fraud or an action by a creditor where notice was not given under s. 859.07. 865.19 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 39. 865.20865.20 Termination of joint tenancy or life estate. 865.20(1)(1) As an alternative to ss. 867.04 and 867.045, the personal representative may file with the probate registrar a verified statement describing property in which the decedent had an interest as joint tenant or life tenant, including the recording data, if any, of the document creating the joint tenancy or life estate. Valuations need not be set forth in the statement. 865.20(2)(2) Upon being filed with the probate registrar, the statement shall be presumed to be evidence of the facts recited and of the termination of the decedent’s interest in the property listed on it as if a certificate terminating joint tenancy or life estate had been issued by the court under s. 867.04. If the statement describes an interest in real property or a debt which is secured by an interest in real property a certified copy or duplicate original of the statement may be recorded in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which real property is located. This statement does not release any death tax lien. 865.201865.201 Confirmation of interest in property. 865.201(1)(1) As an alternative to s. 867.046 the personal representative may file with the probate registrar a verified statement describing property in which the decedent had an interest in marital property or in which any designated person, trust, or other entity has an interest passing by nontestamentary disposition under s. 705.15, 705.18, or 766.58 (3) (f), including the recording data, if any, of the document creating the interest and any right of survivorship. Valuations need not be set forth in the statement. 865.201(2)(2) Upon filing under sub. (1), the statement constitutes prima facie evidence of the facts recited and evidences the termination of the decedent’s interest and the confirmation of the surviving spouse’s or the designated person’s trust’s or other entity’s interest in the property listed, with the same effect as if a certificate had been issued by the court under s. 867.046. If the statement describes an interest in real property or a debt secured by an interest in real property, the personal representative may record the statement in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which real property is located. 865.202865.202 Transfer of interest in property. 865.202(1)(1) If the estate is closed under s. 865.16, the personal representative may file with the probate registrar a verified statement describing property in which the decedent had an interest other than an interest specified in s. 865.20 or 865.201, including the recording data, if any, of the document creating the interest, and specifying the persons to whom the property is distributed. Valuations need not be set forth in the statement. 865.202(2)(2) Upon being filed with the probate registrar, the statement shall be presumed to be evidence of the facts recited, of the termination of the decedent’s interest in the property listed and of the transfer of the interest in the property to the persons entitled to the interest, as if a final judgment regarding the distribution of the property had been issued by the court under s. 863.27. If the statement describes an interest in real property or a debt that is secured by an interest in real property a certified copy or duplicate original of the statement shall be recorded in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which the real property is located. 865.202 HistoryHistory: 1999 a. 94. 865.21865.21 Receipts to be filed. The personal representative shall file with the probate registrar receipts from the distributees in the manner prescribed under s. 863.41. 865.21 HistoryHistory: 1975 c. 331.
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Chs. 851-882, Probate
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