Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a) · checked 2026-10-21
Probate court fees in Wisconsin
Wisconsin charges court costs of $20 when the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, is worth $10,000 or less, and 0.2 percent of its value when it is worth more — $200 on a $100,000 estate.
- 1$100,000 estate $200
- 2Fee basis Percent of assets
- 3Small-estate fee Not listed
- 4Schedule Wis. Stat. § 814.66
Fee to open an estate, by value
| Estate value | Fee | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $50 | 0.2% of $25,000 |
| $50,000 | $100 | 0.2% of $50,000 |
| $100,000 | $200 | 0.2% of $100,000 |
| $250,000 | $500 | 0.2% of $250,000 |
| $500,000 | $1,000 | 0.2% of $500,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,000 | 0.2% of $1,000,000 |
Across these six example values the fee runs from $50 to $2,000. At $100,000, 9 of the 18 fee schedules on this site charge less and 6 charge more.
Other charges in the schedule
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estate of $10,000 or less (property subject to administration, less encumbrances) | $20 |
| Certificate terminating a life estate or homestead interest | $3 |
| Each certificate issued by a register in probate or circuit judge | $3 |
The statute reads: if the value “is $10,000 or less, a fee of $20 and, if more than $10,000, a fee of 0.2 percent of the value of the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges.” The register may not count property that is not subject to administration, and the fee is paid when the inventory is filed.
Source: Wisconsin Statutes § 814.66 (register in probate fees), last checked 2026-10-21. Courts can add copy, certification and publication costs that are not in this schedule.
The small-estate route and its cost
Wisconsin's simplified procedure is the transfer by affidavit (Wis. Stat. § 867.03), for estates within $50,000. It is not filed with the court, so there is no court filing fee for the affidavit itself. Check the Wisconsin limit or see how long probate takes there.
What the court fee does not cover
The schedule above is only the court's own charge. Publishing notice to creditors in a newspaper, certified copies of letters, a fiduciary bond where the court requires one, appraisals and recording fees for real estate are billed separately by whoever provides them. Those notices also start Wisconsin's creditor claim period of 3 months (Wis. Stat. § 859.01), which usually decides how soon the estate can close. Most courts can waive or defer fees for a petitioner who cannot pay; the clerk's office has the request form.
Related: probate court fees compared · what probate is · all fee schedules.
Court fees only, read from the official schedule on 2026-10-21. Not legal advice; Probate Clock does not refer anyone to lawyers. Fee waivers are usually available to people who cannot pay — ask the court clerk.