This section of the website contains information for the Probate Court of the Dane County Circuit Courts. The list below contains contact information, staff, fees, and more.
Dane County Courthouse Room 1005
215 South Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-4331
Email:
For Probate matters: Benjamin.Balk@wicourts.gov
For Guardianship matters: Gina.Bosben@wicourts.gov
The Probate Court is open from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Appointments are encouraged.
This page lists the fees specific to the Probate Office of the Dane County Circuit Court. For more general fee information, see the circuit court fee page.
| Reference | Type of Fee | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Sec. 814.66(1)(a)2 | Inventory Filing Fee for estate valued at $10,000 or less | $20.00 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(a)2 | Inventory Filing Fee for estate valued at more than $10,000 | 0.2% of the value of property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)2 | Guardianship of Estate or Conservatorship if the value of property is less than $50,000 |
$20.00 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)2 | Guardianship of Estate or Conservatorship if the value of property is more than $50,000 |
0.2% of the value of the property, less encumbrances, liens or charges |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(c) | Certificate Terminating Life Estate | $3 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(d) | Certificate or judgment of descent of lands | Same as 814.66(1)(a)2 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(e) | Objection to Probate of Will | $20 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(f) |
Will for Safekeeping Pursuant to Wis. Stat. §853.09, you, the testator, may deposit your Will for “safekeeping” with the Register in Probate of the court of the county where you reside. There is a statutory fee of $10.00 for this service. The Will must be in a sealed envelope with your name and address noted on the outside of the envelope. Please also submit a self-addressed, stamped envelope and the Register in Probate will provide you a receipt at the time of deposit.
If you need to withdraw your original Will, you will need to provide the original Receipt that was given to you at the time of the deposit and photo identification. The original Will can only be removed by you, the testator, personally or by a person authorized by you, the testator, by a writing signed by you, the testator, and two (2) witnesses, other that the person who will be withdrawing the will from safekeeping. |
$10 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(g) | Certificate signed by Register in Probate or a Circuit Court Judge | $3 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(h) | Copies, certified or otherwise | $1 per page |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(i) | Claim Against Estate | $3 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(j) | Searching for file or record when case number is not given | $4 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(k) | Power of Attorney for Health Care for Safekeeping | $8 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(l) | Declaration for Safekeeping | $8 |
| Sec. 814.66(1)(b)3(m) | Petition to commence an independent action (Petition for Grandparent Visitation) | $60 |
To request Probate records, e-mail Dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov
Phone: (608) 266-4331
Register in Probate
Jeff Okazaki
Probate Paralegal/Deputy Probate Registrar
Benjamin Balk
Benjamin.Balk@wicourts.gov
Guardianship Administrator
Gina Bosben
gina.bosben@wicourts.gov
Court Manager-Deputy Register in Probate
Laura Nachazel
laura.nachazel@wicourts.gov
Probate Registrar
Benjamin Schulenburg
