Estate Planning & Probate Lawyers in Wisconsin

Estate planning is how you decide — instead of state law deciding for you — who inherits your property, who raises your children, who makes medical decisions if you cannot, and how to minimize taxes and probate cost. A qualified estate planning attorney builds an integrated plan around your goals, family structure, and asset profile.

Core documents in a complete plan

• Last will and testament — directs the distribution of your probate assets
• Revocable living trust — avoids probate, manages assets during incapacity, controls distribution timing
• Durable financial power of attorney — names someone to handle finances if you cannot
• Healthcare proxy / power of attorney — names a medical decision-maker
• Living will / advance directive — records end-of-life treatment preferences
• HIPAA authorization — lets family access your medical information
• Beneficiary designations — retirement accounts, life insurance, transfer-on-death accounts
• Guardianship nominations for minor children

Trusts: when and why

A revocable living trust is often the centerpiece of a modern estate plan. Benefits include avoiding probate (faster, private, less expensive), seamless management during incapacity, and the ability to control distribution to children or beneficiaries with special needs. Irrevocable trusts serve more specialized purposes including asset protection, Medicaid planning, and estate-tax reduction.

When to update your plan

• Marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse
• Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
• Significant change in net worth
• Move to a new state
• Major change in tax law
• Beneficiary or fiduciary changes