867.03(1h)(1h) Exception for real property. A person named in the will as personal representative may not receive any real property of the decedent by providing an affidavit under sub. (1g) or have any evidence of interest, obligation to, or right of the decedent in any real property of the decedent transferred to the person named in the will as personal representative by providing an affidavit under sub. (1g). This subsection does not apply to a person named in the will to act as personal representative if the person is also an heir of the decedent, a trustee of a revocable trust created by the decedent, or a person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death. 867.03(1j)(1j) Transfers to a person named to act as personal representative. 867.03(1j)(a)(a) Subject to par. (b), a person who receives an affidavit under sub. (1g) from a person named in the will to act as personal representative may not transfer any money due the decedent, the property of the decedent, or any evidence of interest, obligation to, or right of the decedent to the affiant until 30 days after the day on which the affidavit is received. This paragraph does not apply to an affidavit under sub. (1g) received from a person named in the will to act as personal representative if the person is also an heir of the decedent, a trustee of a revocable trust created by the decedent, or a person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death. 867.03(1j)(b)(b) If, during the 30-day period under par. (a), the person who received the affidavit under par. (a) receives an affidavit under sub. (1g) for the same decedent from another person, the person who received the affidavits may not transfer any money due the decedent, the property of the decedent, or any evidence of interest, obligation to, or right of the decedent under this section unless ordered to do so by a court. 867.03(1j)(c)(c) Subsection (2) does not apply to a transfer if the transferor did not comply with this subsection. 867.03(1m)(a)(a) Whenever an heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death intends to transfer a decedent’s property by affidavit under sub. (1g) and the decedent or the decedent’s spouse ever received services provided as a benefit under a long-term care program, as defined in s. 49.496 (1) (bk), medical assistance under subch. IV of ch. 49, long-term community support services funded under s. 46.27 (7), 2017 stats., or aid under s. 49.68, 49.683, 49.685, or 49.785, the heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death shall give notice to the department of health services of his or her intent. The notice shall include the information in the affidavit under sub. (1g) and the heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death shall give the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. 867.03(1m)(b)(b) An heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death who files an affidavit under sub. (1g) that states that the decedent or the decedent’s spouse received services provided as a benefit under a long-term care program, as defined in s. 49.496 (1) (bk), medical assistance under subch. IV of ch. 49, long-term community support services funded under s. 46.27 (7), 2017 stats., or aid under s. 49.68, 49.683, 49.685, or 49.785 shall attach to the affidavit the proof of mail delivery of the notice required under par. (a) showing the delivery date. 867.03(1p)(1p) Real property; notice. If the affidavit under sub. (1g) describes an interest in or lien on real property, at least 30 days before submitting the affidavit to an office of register of deeds under sub. (2m), the heir, trustee, or person who was a guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death shall provide to the decedent’s heirs a copy of the affidavit under sub. (1g) and notice that the heir, trustee, or person who was a guardian intends to record the affidavit under sub. (1g) in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which the real property is located. The heir, trustee, or person who was a guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death shall give the notice required under this subsection by certified mail or by personal service. 867.03(2)(2) Release of liability of transferor. Except as provided in sub. (1j) and subject to sub. (1h), upon the transfer to the heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death furnishing the affidavit with an attached proof of mail delivery if required under sub. (1m) (b), the transferor is released to the same extent as if the transfer had been made to the personal representative of the estate of the decedent. 867.03(2g)(a)(a) By accepting the decedent’s property under this section the heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death assumes a duty to apply the property transferred for the payment of obligations according to priorities established under s. 859.25 and to distribute any balance to those persons designated in the appropriate governing instrument, as defined in s. 854.01, of the decedent or if there is no governing instrument, according to the rules of intestate succession under ch. 852, subject to par. (b). An heir, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death may publish a notice to creditors in the same manner and with the same effect as a trustee under s. 701.0508. This paragraph does not prohibit any appropriate person from requesting administration of the decedent’s estate under s. 856.07 or ch. 865. 867.03(2g)(b)(b) Property transferred under this section to or by an heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death is subject to the right of the department of health services to recover under s. 46.27 (7g), 2017 stats., or s. 49.496, 49.682, or 49.849 an amount equal to the medical assistance that is recoverable under s. 49.496 (3) (a), an amount equal to aid under s. 49.68, 49.683, 49.685, or 49.785 that is recoverable under s. 49.682 (2) (a) or (am), or an amount equal to long-term community support services under s. 46.27, 2017 stats., that is recoverable under s. 46.27 (7g) (c) 1., 2017 stats., and that was paid on behalf of the decedent or the decedent’s spouse. Upon request, the heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death shall provide to the department of health services information about any of the decedent’s property that the heir, trustee, person named in the will to act as personal representative, or person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death has distributed and information about the persons to whom the property was distributed. 867.03(2m)(a)(a) If an affidavit under sub. (1g) describes an interest in or lien on real property, the heir, trustee, or person who was a guardian of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death shall submit for recording in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which the real property is located a certified copy or duplicate original of the affidavit under sub. (1g) with all of the following attached: 867.03(2m)(a)1.1. Proof of providing notice under sub. (1p), as described in s. 879.07 (1) or (2), at least 30 days before submitting the affidavit under sub. (1g) to the office of the register of deeds. 867.03(2m)(b)(b) For purposes of a transfer under this section of an interest in or lien on real property, the recording of the affidavit copy or duplicate original constitutes the transfer to the affiant under sub. (1g) of the evidence of the interest in or lien on real property. 867.03(2m)(c)(c) If an interest in real property transferred under this section is acquired by a purchaser or lender in good faith, for value and without actual notice that the transfer was improper, the purchaser or lender takes title free of any claims of the decedent’s estate and incurs no personal liability to the estate, whether or not the transfer was proper. Purchasers and lenders have no duty to inquire whether a transfer was proper. 867.03(3)(3) Applicability. This section is additional to s. 109.03 (3) for payment of decedent’s wages by an employer directly to the decedent’s dependents. 867.03 AnnotationA “Simple” Probate Should Not Be This Complicated: Principles and Proposals for Revising Wisconsin’s Statutes for Probate Summary Procedures. Johnson. 2008 WLR 575.
867.04867.04 Termination of joint tenancy and life estate. If a domiciliary of this state dies who immediately prior to death had an estate for life or an interest as a joint tenant in any property, or if a person not domiciled in this state dies having such an interest in property in this state, upon petition of any person interested in the property to the court of the county of domicile of the decedent, or if the decedent was not domiciled in this state, of any county where the property is situated, the court shall issue a certificate, under the seal of the court. The certificate shall set forth the fact of the death of the life or joint tenant, the termination of the life estate or joint tenancy interest, the right of survivorship of any joint tenant and any other facts essential to a determination of the rights of persons interested. The certificate is prima facie evidence of the facts recited, and if the certificate relates to an interest in real property or to a debt that is secured by an interest in real property, a certified copy or duplicate original of the certificate shall be recorded by the petitioner in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which the real property is located. 867.04 HistoryHistory: 1977 c. 449; 1999 a. 85. 867.04 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See s. 863.27 which deals with the termination of life estate and joint tenancy in the final judgment of an estate. 867.04 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See s. 865.20 which provides an alternative method of termination of joint tenancy. 867.045867.045 Administrative joint tenancy or life estate termination for certain property. 867.045(1)(1) Upon the death of any person having an interest as a joint tenant or life tenant in any real property or in the vendor’s interest in a land contract or a mortgagee’s interest in a mortgage, any person interested in the property may obtain evidence of the termination of that interest of the decedent by providing to the register of deeds of the county in which such property is located, on an application supplied by the register of deeds for that purpose, the name and address of the decedent and of the surviving joint tenant or remainder beneficiary, the date of the decedent’s death, and the applicant’s interest in the property. A person providing an application to the register of deeds under this subsection shall sign the application and verify, under oath, the correctness of the information provided in the application. The applicant shall also provide to the register of deeds the following information: 867.045(1)(j)(j) In the case of real property, a copy of the property tax bill for the year preceding the year of the decedent’s death and a legal description of the property, which description shall be imprinted on or attached to the application. The register of deeds shall record the bill. The required recording of the property tax bill may be waived by an agreement between the register of deeds and the county real property lister. 867.045(1)(k)(k) In the case of a joint tenancy or life estate, a copy of the deed that creates the interest. 867.045(2)(2) The register of deeds or other person authorized under s. 706.06 or ch. 140 shall complete a statement at the foot of the application, declaring that the applicant appeared before him or her and verified, under oath, the correctness of the information required by sub. (1). 867.045(4)(4) Upon the recording, the application shall be presumed to be evidence of the facts recited and shall terminate the joint tenancy or life estate, all with the same force and effect as if issued by the court assigned to exercise probate jurisdiction for the county of domicile of the decedent under s. 867.04. This application shall not constitute evidence of payment of any death tax which may be due, the payment for which shall remain an obligation of the surviving joint tenant or remainder beneficiary. 867.045(5)(5) If a decedent’s interest in a joint tenancy or life estate is terminated under this section and then acquired from the surviving joint tenant or remainder beneficiary by a purchaser or lender in good faith, for value and without actual notice that the termination was improper, the purchaser or lender takes title free of any claims of the decedent’s estate and incurs no personal liability to the estate, whether or not the termination was proper. Purchasers and lenders have no duty to inquire whether a termination was proper. 867.045 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 41, 84, 90; 1975 c. 127, 200, 262, 421; 1977 c. 449 ss. 422, 497; 1981 c. 299, 376, 391; 1987 a. 27; 1991 a. 133; 1995 a. 182; 2005 a. 41, 216; 2015 a. 48; 2017 a. 334; 2019 a. 125, 127. 867.045 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See s. 865.20 which provides an alternative method of termination of joint tenancy. 867.045 AnnotationThe termination of a joint tenancy in a vendee’s interest in a land contract may be perfected of record under the procedure in this section. OAG 1-97. 867.045 AnnotationThis section neither requires that all remainderpersons appear before the register of deeds to verify information contained in a form executed to meet the requirements of this section nor to complete the form before it may be recorded. OAG 2-98. 867.046867.046 Summary confirmation of interest in property. 867.046(1)(a)(a) “Beneficiary of a marital property agreement” means a designated person, trust or other entity having an interest in property passing by nontestamentary disposition under s. 766.58 (3) (f). 867.046(1)(c)(c) “TOD beneficiary” means a person designated on a deed as a transfer on death beneficiary under s. 705.15 or a person designated on a document as a transfer on death beneficiary under s. 705.18. 867.046(1m)(1m) Upon death; generally. If a domiciliary of this state dies who immediately prior to death had an interest in property in this state, including an interest in survivorship marital property or an interest in property passing under s. 705.10 (1) or 705.18 (2), or if a person not domiciled in this state dies having an interest in property in this state, including an interest in survivorship marital property or an interest in property passing under s. 705.10 (1) or 705.18 (2), upon petition of the decedent’s spouse, a beneficiary of a marital property agreement, a TOD beneficiary, or a beneficiary of a transfer under s. 705.10 (1) or 705.18 (2) to the court of the county of domicile of the decedent or, if the decedent was not domiciled in this state, of any county where the property is situated, the court shall issue a certificate under the seal of the court. The certificate shall set forth the fact of the death of the decedent, the termination or transfer of the decedent’s interest in the property, the interest of the petitioner in the property and any other facts essential to a determination of the rights of persons interested. The certificate is prima facie evidence of the facts recited, and if the certificate relates to an interest in real property or to a debt secured by an interest in real property, the petitioner shall record a certified copy or duplicate original of the certificate in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which the real property is located. 867.046(2)(2) Upon death; interest in property. As an alternative to sub. (1m), upon the death of any person having an interest in any real property, a vendor’s interest in a land contract, an interest in a savings or checking account, an interest in a security, a mortgagee’s interest in a mortgage, or an interest in property passing under s. 705.10 (1) or 705.18 (2), including an interest in survivorship marital property, the decedent’s spouse, a beneficiary of a marital property agreement, a TOD beneficiary, or a beneficiary of a transfer under s. 705.10 (1) or 705.18 (2) may obtain evidence of the termination of that interest of the decedent and confirmation of the applicant’s interest in the property by providing to the register of deeds of the county in which the property is located, on an application supplied by the register of deeds for that purpose, the name, residence, and post-office address of the decedent, the name, residence, and post-office address of the applicant, and the date of the decedent’s death. A person providing an application to the register of deeds under this subsection or, if the person is not an individual, a representative of the person shall sign the application and verify, under oath, the correctness of the information provided in the application. The applicant shall also provide to the register of deeds the following information: 867.046(2)(i)(i) In the case of real property, a copy of the property tax bill for the year preceding the year of the decedent’s death and a legal description of the property, which description shall be imprinted on or attached to the application. The register of deeds shall record the bill. The required recording of the property tax bill may be waived by an agreement between the register of deeds and the county real property lister. 867.046(2)(j)(j) In the case of a joint tenancy, life estate, or TOD beneficiary designation, a copy of the deed that creates the interest. 867.046(2m)(2m) Third-party confirmation. If the personal representative or decedent’s spouse or a beneficiary of a marital property agreement or TOD beneficiary does not commence proceedings to confirm an interest under this section or s. 863.27 or 865.201 within 90 days after the decedent’s death, any interested person may petition or apply under this section. 867.046(3)(3) Completion of application. The register of deeds or other person authorized under s. 706.06 or ch. 140 shall complete a statement at the foot of the application, declaring that the applicant or, if the applicant is not an individual, a representative of the applicant appeared before him or her and verified, under oath, the correctness of the information required by sub. (2). 867.046(4)(4) Delivery of application. The register of deeds shall mail or deliver a copy of the application to the circuit court for the county of residence of the decedent, unless the clerk of courts notifies the register of deeds in writing that this procedure is not necessary. 867.046(5)(5) Recording; termination of property interest. Upon the recording, the application constitutes prima facie evidence of the facts recited and constitutes the termination of the property interest, with the same force and effect as if issued by the court assigned to exercise probate jurisdiction for the county of domicile of the decedent under s. 867.04. 867.046(6)(6) Purchasers from petitioners protected. If an interest in property transferred under this section is acquired from the petitioner by a purchaser or lender in good faith, for value and without actual notice that the transfer was improper, the purchaser or lender takes title free of any claims of the decedent’s estate and incurs no personal liability to the estate, whether or not the transfer was proper. Purchasers and lenders have no duty to inquire whether a transfer was proper. 867.046 NoteNOTE: 1991 Wis. Act 301, which affected this section, contains extensive legislative council notes. 867.046 AnnotationBecause the pension benefits in question did not fall within the five classes of property specified in sub. (2), the procedures in sub. (2) could not be substituted for those of sub. (1m). Maciolek v. City of Milwaukee Employees’ Retirement System Annuity & Pension Board, 2006 WI 10, 288 Wis. 2d 62, 709 N.W.2d 360, 04-1254. 867.05867.05 Determination of descent of property. 867.05(1)(1) Petition. Six years or more after any person dies intestate, leaving an estate which a court in this state has jurisdiction to administer, any person interested in the estate or in any property in the estate may petition the court which has jurisdiction to administer the estate, to determine the descent of the property in the estate. The petition shall be verified and shall show, as particularly as known or can with due diligence be ascertained, the time and place of death and domicile of the decedent, that the estate has not been administered and the other facts which authorize the proceeding, the names, post-office addresses and relationship to the decedent of all heirs and their grantees entitled to any interest in the property, stating who are minors or under legal disability, and the names and addresses of their guardians, and a description of all property for which a determination of descent is sought. 867.05(2)(2) Certificate after hearing without notice. The court may hear the petition without notice, and after hearing the evidence, if the court is satisfied who the heirs of the decedent are and what their respective rights and interests in the property are, the court shall certify the same and in its certificate shall name the persons entitled to interests therein and the property to which each is entitled. The certificate is prima facie evidence of the facts recited. 867.05(3)(3) Judgment after hearing on notice. The court may hear the petition after notice of hearing given under s. 879.03, and after hearing the evidence, if the court is satisfied who the heirs of the decedent are and what their respective rights and interests in the property are, the court shall determine the same and in its judgment shall name the persons entitled to interests therein and the property to which each is entitled. 867.05(4)(4) Recording required. Whenever the certificate or judgment relates to an interest in real property or to a debt which is secured by an interest in real property, a certified copy or duplicate original of the certificate or judgment shall be recorded by the petitioner in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which such real property is located. 867.05(5)(5) Special administration. When no administration proceeding has been commenced or no complete tax return has been filed, any person, including the department of revenue, interested in the property, the transfer of which is subject to tax under ch. 72, may petition for appointment of a special administrator with powers to determine the tax, if: 867.05(5)(a)(a) No petition for administration of property of a decedent is made within 60 days after the decedent’s death and the property’s transfer appears to be taxable under ch. 72; 867.05(5)(b)(b) Administration has been completed without determining the tax; 867.05(5)(c)(c) No tax is due and that fact has not been formally determined; 867.05(5)(e)(e) Assets upon the transfer of which no tax has been paid are discovered; or 867.05(5)(f)(f) Property was transferred in contemplation of the death of the transferor and no application for the adjustment or payment of the tax has been made within 60 days of the transferor’s death. 867.05(6)(a)(a) Prior to acting under sub. (5), the special administrator shall, by certified mail, notify the distributee of the basis of his or her authority under sub. (5). 867.05(6)(c)(c) Costs and expenses properly incurred by a special administrator shall be paid out of the subject property or by the distributee thereof. 867.05 AnnotationA “Simple” Probate Should Not Be This Complicated: Principles and Proposals for Revising Wisconsin’s Statutes for Probate Summary Procedures. Johnson. 2008 WLR 612.
867.07867.07 Grounds for appointment of special administrator. Whenever it appears by petition to the court that a person has died and the court would have jurisdiction for the administration of the person’s estate, the court may appoint a special administrator if it appears that: 867.07(1)(1) There is no estate to be administered and an act should be performed on the part of the decedent, the performance of which affects or is of importance to the petitioner or any other person. 867.07(2)(2) The final judgment of distribution in the estate has been entered and an act remains unperformed in the estate, or that unadministered assets have been found or may be found belonging to the estate. 867.07(4)(4) It is necessary to conserve or administer the estate of a decedent before letters can be issued to a personal representative. 867.07(6)(6) A cause of action exists for or against the decedent or the decedent’s estate and that it is necessary that some act be performed before letters can be issued to a personal representative. 867.07(7)(7) Other circumstances exist which in the discretion of the court require the appointment of a special administrator. 867.07 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See s. 856.01 for jurisdiction for administration of estates. 867.07 AnnotationThis section does not provide a different procedure for taking depositions than that provided in ch. 804. In Matter of Estate of Berth, 157 Wis. 2d 717, 460 N.W.2d 436 (Ct. App. 1990). 867.07 AnnotationA “Simple” Probate Should Not Be This Complicated: Principles and Proposals for Revising Wisconsin’s Statutes for Probate Summary Procedures. Johnson. 2008 WLR 612.
867.09867.09 Who may petition for appointment of special administrator. Petition for the appointment of a special administrator may be made by any person who has standing to petition for administration of the estate under s. 856.07, and waiting periods stated in that section do not apply. 867.11867.11 Notice of hearing on petition for appointment of special administrator. The court shall determine whether notice of the hearing for the appointment of a special administrator need be given. If the court deems notice unnecessary or inexpedient or if the appointment should be made without delay, the court shall proceed to hear the matter without notice. If notice of hearing is required, it shall be given under s. 879.03. 867.13867.13 Bond of special administrator. If it appears that anything of value will come into the hands of the special administrator, the court may require the special administrator to give bond in the amount the court deems reasonable, except that no bond shall be required of any trust company bank, state bank or national banking association which is authorized to exercise trust powers and which has complied with s. 220.09 or 223.02. If the person appointed special administrator is subsequently appointed personal representative, the person’s bond given as special administrator continues in effect as the person’s bond as personal representative unless otherwise ordered by the court. Section 895.345 does not apply to bonds of special administrators.
/statutes/statutes/867
true
statutes
/statutes/statutes/867/045/1/j
Chs. 851-882, Probate
statutes/867.045(1)(j)
statutes/867.045(1)(j)
section
true
