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Best Probate Lawyers in Madison, WI

Our Recommended Top 17

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Madison Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

66Reviewed

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17Top Picks

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Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

222 N. Midvale Blvd. Suite 17, Madison, WI 53705

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Michelle Behnke & Associates is a law firm serving the Madison metro. The firm works with the personal representative or trustee to gather estate assets and file the relevant court or tax filings. Its attorneys help customers manage life insurance proceeds, appraise properties, secure all assets, pay bills and debts, and distribute assets to the heirs and beneficiaries. The firm also handles estate planning, business transactions, and real estate. Michelle Behnke, the firm's owner, is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

  • Estate Planning
  • Real Estate

2 E Mifflin St Unit 600, Madison, WI 53703

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Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (23)
Google
3.3 (12)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

DeWitt LLP is a multi-practice law firm that represents clients throughout the Madison area. It handles cases involving probate law and provides legal counsel to individuals facing trust and will litigation. The firm has experience creating various trusts, like marital and family trusts. Its other practice areas include employment, construction, family, and bankruptcy law. The firm has been operating since 1903. One of its attorneys, Brian Anderson, is the firm's representative on the governing board of the global legal group Lexwork International.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bradley Fulton - President & Managing PartnerActive27 yrs
Timothy Stewart - President & Managing PartnerActive27 yrs
Eric Farnsworth - AttorneyActive46 yrs
Michele Perreault - Managing PartnerActive21 yrs
Brian Anderson - ShareholderActive44 yrs

8215 Greenway Blvd, Ste. 590, Middleton, WI 53562

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Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (25)
Google
5.0 (14)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC is a multi-practice firm that represents residents of Madison and the surrounding areas. It assists executors of estates in arranging and completing the distribution of the decedents' properties to their loved ones according to their wishes. The practice maintains an affiliation with the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Its current owner and attorney, Stephanie Thompson, is an American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys member. She offers estate planning, trust administration, and long-term care planning services.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Stephanie Thompson - PrincipalActive14 yrs

440 Science Dr, Suite 101, Madison, WI 53711

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Estate Law Partners, LLC has offices in Madison and Rockford. The firm assists individuals with the implementation of estate plans and the completion of estate settlements. It focuses solely on estate administration and probate law, elder law, and estate planning, handling all paperwork for personal representatives and executors, and making appearances in courts. Attorneys pay debts from the estate account and ensure clients manage their fiduciary duties responsibly.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Nelson Donovan - FounderActive14 yrs
Nelson Donovan - Managing Partner and AuthorActive14 yrs

1 E Main St Ste 500, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Godfrey and Kahn SC is a law firm that has been in operation for more than 60 years, helping the people of Madison with business and estate planning. The firm's trust administration practice group oversees the probate process to ensure the procedure follows federal and state income tax laws. Attorneys have experience in all aspects of estate planning, including drafting wills, charitable planning, and the representation of clients before the IRS.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Erin Cook - ShareholderActive15 yrs
David Patzer - ShareholderActive26 yrs
Margaret Kurlinski - ShareholderActive19 yrs
Nicholas Wahl - President and Managing PartnerActive34 yrs

9701 Brader Way, Suite 201, Madison, WI 53562

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (43)
Facebook
5.0 (13)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Borakove Osman LLC is a boutique law firm that concentrates on estate planning and business planning representation for families and businesses in Madison and neighboring areas. Its team of attorneys also handles trust administration and probate matters, assisting executors in communicating with parties involved, such as financial institutions, estate creditors, estate beneficiaries, and the probate court. Practicing law since 2005, founding partner Shayna Borakove values the inclusion of the family’s trusted advisors in the estate planning process.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Estate Administration

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Shayna Borakove - PartnerActive16 yrs

5113 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (10)
Facebook
4.0 (4)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Serving Madison and neighboring communities, Haskins Short & Brindley LLC concentrate its practice across a range of issues surrounding elder law and estate planning. Throughout any probate process, its attorneys guide personal representatives in the authentication of wills, payment of debts and taxes, and distribution of a decedent's assets to beneficiaries. One of the founders, Brenda R. Haskins, is a veteran administration-certified attorney. The firm has more than 10 years of experience in estate planning and related services.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Brenda Haskins - PartnerActive25 yrs

6300 University Avenue Suite 200, Middleton, WI 53562

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (2)
Justia
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Bartelt Grob, S.C., is a law firm that caters to Madison clients. It uses a compassionate approach to guide individuals across the probate process, from tax return preparation to asset transfer. For clients seeking to avoid probate, the firm sets up various documents, including revocable trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney. It works on other cases concerning real estate and business law. One of its attorneys, Teresa Kobelt, is the former president of the Dane County Bar Association.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

401 Charmany Dr. Ste. 310, Madison, WI 53719

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Attorney Patricia McKinney-Lins provides probate and estate planning services to clients in Madison and the surrounding areas. She guides individuals in preparing estate plans and creating living trusts and wills to protect their assets and secure the future of their loved ones and families. She also assists clients who wish to establish their own healthcare decisions by creating medical powers of attorney. McKinney-Lins has been practicing law since the 1980s. She also offers self-guided seminars to help individuals understand estate planning.

  • Estate Planning

8383 Greenway Boulevard, Suite 600, Middleton, WI 53562

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Underwood Legal, LLC, is an estate planning and business law firm that lists Madison as one of its service areas. Its lawyers assist clients undergoing the probate process or avoiding probate court by establishing revocable living trusts. The law firm helps clients with creating special needs trusts, wills, and Medicaid asset protection trusts. Lead lawyer Matthew Underwood established the firm in 2012. Underwood was once a volunteer lawyer for the Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Matthew Underwood - PrincipalActive12 yrs

131 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Klein Law Office provides estate planning and wills services to individuals and families in Madison. The firm assists clients in drafting an estate plan that will guide asset transfers and protect children or vulnerable adults upon death. During the initial consultation, Joseph J. Klein, the firm's founding attorney, determines which estate plan is most suitable for clients. His office also handles corporate or business and real estate law matters. Klein is a certified real estate broker and instructor.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

110 E. Main Street Suite 813, Madison, WI 53703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

W.R. Stewart & Associates, S.C. Counselors & Attorneys at Law offers legal services from its Madison location. Its three lawyers offer a full range of estate and probate administration services, including tax planning, mediation for property disputes, and asset protection, collection, and transfer. They also handle will contests and offer estate planning assistance, which covers the preparation of trusts, wills, and advance directives. Walter Stewart, one of the firm's attorneys, was admitted to the bar in 1982. He is associated with the Madison Downtown Rotary Club.

  • Estate Planning

101 Dempsey Road, Madison, WI 53714

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (84)
Avvo
5.0 (5)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Eastbridge Law Group, LLP, caters to the residents of Madison. Its team of professionals offers compassionate legal counsel on matters such as probate and trust administration, estate planning, and elder law. In addition, the firm handles cases in other practice areas, such as family law, bankruptcy, immigration law, and criminal defense. One of its lawyers, Nancy Thome, is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She also has more than 25 years of legal experience.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jennifer Hanna - PartnerActive14 yrs

111 East Verona Avenue, Verona, WI 53593

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (4)
Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Established in 2013, Hansen Law Verona offers legal assistance for individuals and families in Madison and nearby locations. It is headed by Terry Hansen, whose areas of practice comprise estate planning and real estate law. The attorney offers legal counsel for landlords, renters, and home buyers and sellers. She also represents clients facing divorce and child custody issues. Hansen has been offering legal services for more than two decades. Part of her community involvement is sponsoring the Verona Little League Juniors Royals team.

  • Estate Planning

6418 Normandy Ln Ste 225, Madison, WI 53719

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (30)
Avvo
5.0 (5)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Nennig Law Offices LLC is a boutique law firm in Madison that assists clients with estate planning, probate and trust administration, and guardianships. The lawyers file petitions with the probate court, notices to heirs under the will, and petitions to appoint executors. During the process, the legal team oversees the inventory and appraisal of assets and the final distribution of the state to its rightful heirs. The firm also handles will contests.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bob Nennig - Principal/OwnerActive20 yrs
Tyler Piddington - AssociateActive4 yrs

440 Science Drive, Suite 404, Madison, WI 53711

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)
Yelp
5.0 (1)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

S. Lee & Associates, LLC, Attorneys at Law, provides legal services to individuals and businesses in Madison and the surrounding areas. The firm assists clients in tax planning and completion, trust settlement, wills and durable powers of attorney, beneficiary accountings, and IRA. It also handles advance directives and business entities. Sonja A. Lee established the law firm in 1999. She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sonja Lee - Principal and OwnerActive31 yrs

702 N Blackhawk Ave. Suite 101, Madison, WI 53705

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.9 (19)
FindLaw
5.0 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Pittman & Pittman Law Offices, LLC offers legal representation to individuals, farmers, and business people in Madison and surrounding areas. It helps executors and family members in matters involving probate and proper administration of wills and trusts. It assists clients in creating estate plans for their families and naming a trusted person to make decisions on their behalf. It also covers living wills and advance directives for health care. Its founder, Galen W. Pittman, has been practicing law for more than 45 years.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Compare our Top Probate Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Michelle Behnke & Associates
222 N. Midvale Blvd. Suite 17, Madison, WI 53705
DeWitt LLP
2 E Mifflin St Unit 600, Madison, WI 53703
Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC Attorneys at Law
8215 Greenway Blvd, Ste. 590, Middleton, WI 53562
Estate Law Partners, LLC
440 Science Dr, Suite 101, Madison, WI 53711
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
1 E Main St Ste 500, Madison, WI 53703
Borakove Osman LLC
9701 Brader Way, Suite 201, Madison, WI 53562
Haskins Short & Brindley LLC
5113 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716
Bartelt Grob, S.C.
6300 University Avenue Suite 200, Middleton, WI 53562
Attorney Patricia McKinney-Lins
401 Charmany Dr. Ste. 310, Madison, WI 53719
Underwood Legal, LLC
8383 Greenway Boulevard, Suite 600, Middleton, WI 53562
Klein Law Office
131 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703
W.R. Stewart & Associates, S.C. Counselors & Attorneys At Law
110 E. Main Street Suite 813, Madison, WI 53703
Eastbridge Law Group, LLP
101 Dempsey Road, Madison, WI 53714
Hansen Law Verona
111 East Verona Avenue, Verona, WI 53593
Nennig Law Offices, LLC
6418 Normandy Ln Ste 225, Madison, WI 53719
S. Lee & Associates, LLC
440 Science Drive, Suite 404, Madison, WI 53711
Pittman & Pittman Law Offices, LLC
702 N Blackhawk Ave. Suite 101, Madison, WI 53705

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Madison, WI Probate FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Madison, Wisconsin?

    The Madison Police Department's non-emergency dispatch number is 608-255-2345.

  • Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Madison, Wisconsin?

    The Madison Police Department provides three convenient methods to acquire a police report. You can contact them by phone at 608-266-4075, personally visit their location at 211 S Carroll St., Madison, WI, 53703, or send your request by mail to the same address.

  • When are you required to go through the probate process in Madison?

    If you have been designated as a beneficiary in the will of someone who passed away or you are entitled to inherit from a person who died without a will in Madison, you will probably need to go through the probate process to obtain your inheritance. However, there are situations where assets can bypass probate, often due to effective estate planning. Various strategies, such as trusts, transfer on death designations, and life estates, are commonly employed in planning to avoid the need for probate.

  • What is the typical time frame for the probate process in Madison?

    The duration of the probate process in Madison can vary significantly, ranging from several months to years, depending on factors such as the estate's size, the types of assets owned, the form of ownership, tax considerations, creditor claims, marital property matters, and the involvement of a closely held business. Even a small and straightforward estate may require up to six months due to the need to notify estate creditors. Additionally, locating and managing estate assets can be a difficult task. Fortunately, while the probate procedure is ongoing, beneficiaries may receive some of the estate assets.

  • What takes place during the probate process in Madison?

    During the probate process in Madison, assessments are conducted to determine the amount of taxes and debts owed to creditors. Notifications are sent to creditors, and legal notices are published. Properties or possessions are sold to settle debts or divide assets evenly among beneficiaries. If feasible, lawsuits involving the deceased or pending cases affecting the deceased are resolved. Estate taxes, gift taxes, and inheritance taxes are taken into account if the estate surpasses specific thresholds.

  • Under what circumstances could you potentially be held responsible for your spouse's debts in Madison?

    In Madison and the rest of Wisconsin, your spouse's debts during marriage are legally treated as your own. This means that if the estate is unable to cover the debts and goes bankrupt, you can be personally responsible for them, even if they are solely in your spouse's name. Creditors can pursue you for unpaid medical bills and credit card balances, and they may have the authority to garnish your wages, place liens on your property, seize assets, or withdraw funds from your bank account. Exceptions exist to the laws on shared debt. Generally, you are only liable for debts incurred during the marriage that you both shared, unless you agreed to assume responsibility. Debts accrued by your spouse before the marriage are typically not your obligation. If you were legally separated from your spouse at the time of their death, you are not held accountable for their debts. Additionally, assets received as gifts or inheritances are usually considered separate property and may be safeguarded from your spouse's creditors.

  • What are some of the duties of a personal representative in Madison?

    A personal representative or executor in Madison is responsible for tasks such as notifying the decedent's creditors, obtaining a Federal Tax ID Number for the estate, submitting an initial report on the estate's financial activity, identifying and gathering estate assets, preparing and filing tax returns for the decedent, distributing assets, and ultimately closing the estate.

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