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Wisconsin · Seventh Judicial Administrative District of Wisconsin

Buffalo County Register in Probate Guide

Register in Probate information · Updated June 2026

Settling an estate while grieving is hard. This page takes it one step at a time, and free local help is listed below.

30 days
To deposit the will
4 months
Creditor claims, from notice
608-685-6212
Filing office phone
Independent guide · Verified June 2026 · Buffalo County Circuit CourtSources (12)

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Not sure if you need probate?

Many estates can avoid probate entirely. Assets with beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and trust assets may pass automatically without court involvement.

Immediate Actions

The first days

First: Get Death Certificates

Required for everything

Wisconsin Vital Records Office

Certified Wisconsin death certificates are issued by the state DHS Vital Records Office and by county register of deeds offices. Buffalo County families can order from the state office online (through an approved vendor), by mail, or in person, or from the Buffalo County Register of Deeds in the county where the death occurred or where the decedent resided. The Circuit Court / Register in Probate does not issue death certificates.

How to order

Secure the Property

  • Lock the residence and secure valuable items
  • Forward mail to a responsible family member
  • Make a list of what you find (don't throw anything away yet)

Locate Important Documents

Will or trust documents
Property deeds
Bank/investment statements
Insurance policies
Vehicle titles
Tax returns (last 3 years)

Required by Law

First 30 days
30 days

Deposit the Will

A person who has custody of a will must, within 30 days after learning of the testator's death, file it with the Register in Probate of the proper county or deliver it to a person able to file it (Wis. Stat. 856.05). A will may also be deposited with the Register in Probate for safekeeping during the testator's lifetime. Verify the custodian's obligations and timing with the office. (Wis. Stat. 856.05)

Cost: Verify locally
Where: Buffalo County Clerk of Circuit Court / Register in Probate
Clerk Website

Creditor claim window

Creditors generally have 4 months from court order setting the time to file claims (notice to creditors) to bring claims against the estate. (Wis. Stat. § 859.01)

Notify Key Parties

  • Banks and credit card companies (to prevent unauthorized use)
  • Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
  • Employer (if applicable) for final paycheck and benefits

Assess Your Situation

Before filing anything

Which probate type is right for you?

1

Small estate? If the estate is worth less than the Wisconsin small-estate limit (shown on the options below), you may qualify for simplified procedures.

2

Is there a valid will? If yes, you'll file for probate with will. If no will exists, it's intestate probate.

3

Complex assets? Business interests, real estate in multiple states, or contested claims may require probate administration.

Select a probate type below to see specific requirements and costs.

Which applies to your situation?

Not sure? Use the free checker at the top of this page - you don't have to decide this alone.

Wisconsin's transfer-by-affidavit procedure lets an heir, the trustee of the decedent's revocable trust, a person named in the will as personal representative, or the decedent's guardian at death collect and receive the decedent's property by presenting a sworn affidavit, without administration, when the decedent's property subject to administration in Wisconsin does not exceed $50,000 in gross value at the date of death. Verify eligibility for the specific assets and institutions involved.

Qualifies:
$50,000

Wisconsin offers two summary paths in addition to transfer by affidavit: (1) Summary settlement of small estates under Wis. Stat. § 867.01 when the estate (less debts secured by estate property) does not exceed $50,000 and the decedent is survived by a spouse, domestic partner, or one or more minor children (or both), or when the estate does not exceed the costs, expenses, allowances, and claims under § 859.25(1)(a)-(g); and (2) Summary assignment of small estates under Wis. Stat. § 867.02 when the estate (less secured debts) does not exceed $50,000 and does not qualify for summary settlement. Availability depends on the facts and should be verified locally.

Qualifies:
Smaller estates that meet the state limit

Documents you'll need:

  • Certified Death Certificate
  • Original Will
  • Proof of Heirship
  • Inventory

The personal representative (executor with a will, or administrator without) is appointed by the Register in Probate in informal administration or by the Circuit Court in formal administration, receives domiciliary letters, files an inventory, publishes notice to creditors, pays allowed claims, and distributes the estate. Wisconsin's informal administration is a streamlined, register-supervised process available for most uncontested estates. Real estate generally passes by will or intestacy and is documented in the county Register of Deeds land records. Verify bond, surety, original-will, and notice requirements with the office.

Attorney:
not required by law, though many families use one

Documents you'll need:

  • Application for Informal Administration
  • Certified Death Certificate
  • Original Will
  • Proof of Heirship
  • Statement of Informal Administration
  • Domiciliary Letters
  • Inventory
  • Notice to Creditors

Wisconsin's transfer-by-affidavit procedure allows an heir, trustee of the decedent's revocable trust, person named in the will as personal representative, or the decedent's guardian at death to collect and receive the decedent's property by presenting a sworn affidavit, without administration, when the decedent's property subject to administration in Wisconsin does not exceed $50,000 in gross value at the date of death.

Qualifies:
$50,000

Documents you'll need:

  • Transfer by Affidavit
  • Certified Death Certificate
  • Original Will

Summary settlement is available when the estate, less debts secured by estate property, does not exceed $50,000 and the decedent is survived by a spouse, domestic partner, or one or more minor children (or both), or when the estate does not exceed the costs, expenses, allowances, and claims under Wis. Stat. 859.25(1)(a)-(g). The register in probate filing fee under Wis. Stat. 814.66(1)(a) still applies. Verify eligibility with the county Register in Probate.

Qualifies:
$50,000

Summary assignment is available when the estate, less debts secured by estate property, does not exceed $50,000 and does not qualify for summary settlement. The court assigns the estate without full administration. Verify eligibility with the county Register in Probate.

Qualifies:
$50,000

File for Probate

Where to file, forms & fees

Where to File

Office: Buffalo County Circuit Court
Address: 407 South 2nd Street, Alma, WI 54610
How: in person, by mail, by appointment
Get Forms

Free Filing Help Available

Buffalo County Register in Probate / Wisconsin Probate Self-Help Law Center can help you understand forms and filing requirements at no cost.

Visit Self-Help Center

Other Topics That May Apply

Property & Real Estate

Property transfer after death, recording

Buffalo County Register of Deeds

Website

Vehicle Title Transfer

Retitle or transfer the deceased's vehicle. Office, forms, fees.

Wisconsin DMV Customer Service Center — Alma (Buffalo County)

Address:
407 S. 2nd Street, Alma, WI 54610
Office Website

When a Wisconsin vehicle owner dies, the certificate of title must be transferred. The transfer path depends on the relationship to the decedent and the value of the estate. All Wisconsin vehicle title transfers are processed at WisDOT DMV Customer Service Centers or by mail to WI DOT (P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949).

Transfer scenarios

Surviving Spouse or Domestic Partner

Documents needed:

  • Statement of Transfer of Vehicles to or by a Surviving Family Member, Domestic Partner or Heir — form MV2300
  • Certificate of Title (if lost: form MV2119 Replacement Title Application)
  • Wisconsin Title & License Plate Application — form MV1

Submit by mail or at a DMV Customer Service Center. Mail to: WI Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949.

Heir — Small Estate (Solely-Owned Property Does Not Exceed $50,000)

Documents needed:

  • Statement of Transfer of Vehicles to or by a Surviving Family Member, Domestic Partner or Heir — form MV2300 (required as supporting document)
  • Wisconsin Certificate of Title (if lost: form MV2119 Replacement Title Application; replacement title fee may be waived for qualifying family members — see MV2300)
  • Wisconsin Title & License Plate Application — form MV1
  • Payment of title transfer fee: $214.50 (fee may be waived for certain qualifying family members; see MV2300 for eligibility)

Submit by mail to: WI Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949. Or bring to a DMV Customer Service Center.

Executor or Administrator — Estate Exceeds $50,000

Documents needed:

  • Personal representative papers (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) issued by the court identifying the individual authorized to sign for the decedent
  • Wisconsin Certificate of Title
  • Wisconsin Title & License Plate Application — form MV1
  • Payment of applicable fees (qualifying family members may still submit MV2300 to apply for title fee waiver)

Personal representative signs the back of the title as seller (noting 'personal representative' after name) and submits documents by mail or at a DMV Customer Service Center. If also a qualifying family member and seeking title fee waiver, submit form MV2300 with the application.

Co-Owner

Documents needed:

  • If title lists 'or': only surviving co-owner signature required as seller
  • If title lists 'and': surviving co-owner AND deceased's legal representative both sign as seller. If the surviving co-owner is also the legal representative, sign twice.
  • Form MV2300 Statement of Transfer (if removing deceased's name for co-ownership or survivorship transfer)
  • Certificate of Title
  • Wisconsin Title & License Plate Application — form MV1

Submit to WI DMV by mail or at a Customer Service Center. To remove deceased co-owner's name from title: submit MV2300 + Certificate of Title (or MV2119 if lost).

Forms

  • Statement of Transfer of Vehicles to or by a Surviving Family Member, Domestic Partner or Heir(MV2300)(Available from WisDOT DMV. Covers transfer scenarios for surviving spouse/domestic partner and heirs. Also used to apply for title fee waiver for qualifying family members.)
  • Wisconsin Title & License Plate Application(MV1)(Use the MV1 Application Guide to pre-fill and calculate fees: https://trust.dot.state.wi.us/mvapps/pub/mv1guide/. If not using the guide, download and print the MV1 form directly.)
  • Replacement Title Application(MV2119)(File MV2119 if the original title is lost or unavailable. For qualifying family members, the replacement title fee waiver is noted in form MV2300.)

Fees

title transfer fee$214.50 (effective October 1, 2025; was $164.50 before that date)
title transfer fee amount$214.5

Current title transfer fee is $214.50 per vehicle (effective October 1, 2025). Replacement title fee (MV2119) may also be waived for qualifying family members per MV2300. No sales tax is mentioned separately for heir transfers.

Small-estate vehicle transfer

Wisconsin's transfer-by-affidavit procedure under Wis. Stat. § 867.03 allows an heir, trustee of a revocable trust, person named in the will as personal representative, or guardian to collect property of a decedent — including motor vehicles — without opening a probate proceeding, when the total property subject to administration in Wisconsin does not exceed $50,000 in gross value. The affiant provides a signed affidavit to the person holding the property (e.g., DMV) along with proof of prior mailed notice when required.

Wisconsin Stat. § 867.03 provides the statutory basis for transfer by affidavit for small estates. The WisDOT DMV heir transfer page at wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/vehicles/title-plates/heir.aspx describes the vehicle-specific implementation: when the decedent's solely-owned property does not exceed $50,000, heirs use form MV2300 + MV1 to transfer title. If the estate exceeds $50,000, personal representative papers from a court are required instead.

Lost or duplicate title

If the original Wisconsin certificate of title is lost or unavailable, a replacement title must be obtained. For deceased-owner vehicle transfers, a Replacement Title Application (form MV2119) is filed. The replacement title fee may be waived for certain qualifying family members — see form MV2300 for eligibility.

Submit form MV2119 along with the transfer documents (MV2300 + MV1) by mail to WI DOT (P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949) or at a DMV Customer Service Center.

Form:Replacement Title Application(MV2119)

Helpful resources

Statewide forms and steps live in the vehicle title transfer guide. If the title cannot be found, see selling a car without a title.

Vehicle sources (6)

You've seen what probate involves. Here's how to spare your own family.

A few simple steps (naming beneficiaries, a transfer-on-death deed where your state allows it, or a living trust) can keep your estate out of court.

See how to avoid probate in Wisconsin

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does probate cost in Buffalo County?
Probate filing fees in Buffalo County, Wisconsin vary by the type of administration. Contact the Register in Probate for the current fee schedule.
How long does probate take in Buffalo County?
Timelines depend on the probate procedure, the court, and whether notice or publication is required. Simplified procedures can range from a few weeks to several months, while full administration often takes 6-12 months or longer.
Do I need an attorney for probate in Buffalo County?
Attorney requirements depend on the type of administration and your specific situation. Consider talking with a probate attorney before filing or making legal decisions.

More Wisconsin Resources

Explore the rest of the Wisconsin probate hub.

Do I need probate?5 pages
For the executor5 pages
Money and taxes5 pages
Family and inheritance5 pages
Transfer assets5 pages
File and learn5 pages

Verified against Buffalo County Circuit Court on June 13, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Wisconsin can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.