The Register in Probate is appointed by the Circuit Court Judge.
The Register in Probate maintains records for the following case types: Adoptions, Guardianships (Adult and Minor), Mental Commitments, Probate and Terminations of Parental Rights.
**OUR OFFICE CANNOT PROVIDE ANY LEGAL ADVICE; PLEASE CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IF YOU NEED LEGAL GUIDANCE OR ADVICE. YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT THE LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE AT 800-362-9082.**
Adoption/Termination of Parental Rights
Adoptions
An adoption estatblishes a legal parent and child (or adult) relationship when the adopting parent is not a individual’s biological parent.
Resources:
Wisconsin Court System
Termination of Parental Rights
A termination of parental rights may be done voluntarily or involuntarily. The termination of parental rights means that, pursuant to a court order, all rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties and obligations existing between parent(s) and child(ren) are permanently severed.
Resources:
Wisconsin Court System
Copy LinkGuardianships
Guardianships
A guardianship is a legal process used to protect individuals who are unable to care for their own well-being due to infancy, incapacity or disability. A court will appoint a legal guardian to care for an individual, known as a ward, who is in need of special protection.
Resources:
Wisconsin Court System
Copy LinkProbate
Probate
What is Probate?
Probate is the court-supervised process for the orderly transfer of a decedent’s assets to those who are entitled to them. The process ensures that notice is properly given, that all debts, taxes, and expenses are paid, that the assets are distributed in accordance with the last Will or to the heirs as determined by statute.
The goal of probate is to protect the rights of heirs or beneficiaires who have an interest in an estate.
**If a decedent left a Last Will and Testament, the original must be filed within 30 days, even if no probate is necessary.
Resources:
Wisconsin Court System
Wisconsin Bar Association
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