reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WI Stat § 853.18 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.18 - Designation of beneficiary, payee or owner.

853.18  Designation of beneficiary, payee or owner. (1) Except as otherwise provided in s. 853.15 or 853.17 (1) or ch. 766, none of the following is subject to or defeated or impaired by any statute or rule of law governing the transfer of property by will, gift, or intestacy, even though the designation or assignment is revocable or the rights of the beneficiary, payee, owner, or assignee are otherwise subject to defeasance:(a) A written designation in accordance with the terms of any insurance, annuity, or endowment contract.(b) Any agreement issued or entered into by an insurance company supplemental to or in settlement of any insurance, annuity, or endowment contract.(c) Any written designation made under a contract, plan, system, or trust providing for pension, retirement, deferred compensation, stock bonus, profit-sharing, or death benefits, or an employment or commission contract, of any person to be a beneficiary, payee, or owner of any right, title, or interest thereunder upon the death of another, or any assignment of rights under any of the foregoing.(d) Directions provided in an online tool, as defined in s. 711.03 (18).  (2) This section applies to such designations or assignments made either before or after June 25, 1969, by persons who die on or after that date. This section creates no implication of invalidity as to any designation or assignment, of the nature described in sub. (1), made by any person who dies before that date or as to any declaration, agreement or contract for the payment of money or other transfer of property at death not specified under sub. (1).History:  1983 a. 186; 2005 a. 216; 2015 a. 300.The phrase “statute governing the transfer of property by will" in sub. (1) refers to statutes establishing formalities for the execution of a valid will. In Matter of Estate of Habelman, 145 Wis. 2d 228, 426 N.W.2d 363 (Ct. App. 1988).
WI Stat § 853.19 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.19 - Advancement.

853.19  Advancement. The effect of a lifetime gift by the testator on the rights of a beneficiary under the will is governed by s. 854.09.History:  1993 a. 486; 1997 a. 188.
WI Stat § 853.27 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.27 - Lapse.

853.27  Lapse. The rights under a will of a beneficiary who predeceases the testator are governed by s. 854.06.History:  1993 a. 486; 1997 a. 188.A will clause providing that if any beneficiary dies within 5 months of the testator, the deceased beneficiary's share is to be treated as if the beneficiary predeceased the testator, served to pass a deceased beneficiary's share to her children under the anti-lapse statute. Firehammer v. Marchant, 224 Wis. 2d 673, 591 N.W.2d 898 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-0586.
WI Stat § 853.29 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.29 - After-acquired property.

853.29  After-acquired property. A will is presumed to pass all property that the testator owns at the testator's death and that the testator has power to transfer by will, including property acquired by the testator after the execution of the will or acquired by the testator's estate.History:  1993 a. 486; 1997 a. 188.
WI Stat § 853.31 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.31 - Presumption that will passes all of testator's interest in property.

853.31  Presumption that will passes all of testator's interest in property. Any gift of property by will is presumed to pass all the estate or interest which the testator could lawfully will in the property unless it clearly appears by the will, interpreted in light of the surrounding circumstances, that the testator intended to pass a less estate or interest.
WI Stat § 853.325 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.325 - Effect of reference to acts or events.

853.325  Effect of reference to acts or events. A will may dispose of property by reference to acts or events that have significance apart from their effect on the disposition of property under the will and that do not occur solely for the purpose of determining the disposition of property under the will. Reference to the execution or revocation of another individual's will fulfills the requirements under this section. This section applies whether the acts or events occur before or after execution of the will or before or after the testator's death.History:  1997 a. 188.
WI Stat § 853.33 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.33 - Gift of securities.

853.33  Gift of securities. Section 854.11 governs gifts of securities under a will.History:  1997 a. 188.
WI Stat § 853.34 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.34 - Transfers to testamentary trusts.

853.34  Transfers to testamentary trusts. (1) Testamentary transfer to trust of another. A transfer or appointment by will shall not be held invalid because it is made to a trust created, or to be created, under the will of another person if the will of such other person was executed, or was last modified with respect to the terms of such trust, prior to the death of the person making the transfer or appointment and such other person's will is admitted to probate prior to, or within 2 years after, the death of the person making the transfer or appointment. Property included in such a transfer or appointment shall not be considered property subject to administration as part of the other person's estate but shall pass directly to that other person's testamentary trustee, be added to the designated trust and administered as a part thereof. (2)  Invalid testamentary transfer. If such a transfer or appointment by will is not accepted by the testamentary trustee of such other person or if no will of such other person which meets the conditions specified in sub. (1) is admitted to probate within the period therein limited, and if the will containing such transfer or appointment by will makes no alternative disposition of the assets, the will shall be construed as creating a trust upon the terms contained in the documents constituting the will of such other person as of the date of death of the person making the transfer or appointment by will. (3)  Assets transferred to trusts created by will. If a trustee of a trust created by a testator's will is designated as the beneficiary of a transfer under another governing instrument, as defined in s. 854.01 (2), at the death of the testator or at the death of a 3rd party, the transfer of any assets under that other governing instrument to the trustee does not cause the transferred assets to be included in the property administered as part of the testator's estate. The transferred assets are not subject to taxes, debts, or charges enforceable against the testator's estate to any greater extent than if the proceeds were payable to a beneficiary other than the testator's estate.History:  1971 c. 66; Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 777 (1975); 1975 c. 218; 1987 a. 27; 1989 a. 278; 1991 a. 316; 2013 a. 92 ss. 153, 154, 331; Stats. 2013 s. 853.34.
WI Stat § 853.35 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.35 - Nonademption of specific gifts in certain instances.

853.35  Nonademption of specific gifts in certain instances. The rights of a beneficiary with respect to a specific gift that is destroyed, damaged, sold or condemned before the testator's death are governed by s. 854.08.History:  1993 a. 486; 1997 a. 188.
WI Stat § 853.40 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.40 - Disclaimer.

853.40  Disclaimer. A person to whom property would otherwise pass under a will may disclaim all or part of the property as provided in s. 854.13.History:  1977 c. 309; 1983 a. 186; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (26); 1985 a. 29, 37; 1987 a. 220; 1991 a. 39; 1997 a. 188.Unless barred by statute, a debtor can disclaim a bequest, thus defeating a creditor's action under s. 813.026. Estate of Goldhammer v. Goldhammer, 138 Wis. 2d 77, 405 N.W.2d 693 (Ct. App. 1987).Except for a tax-related “qualified disclaimer," the 9-month time limit for disclaimer of a future interest commences on the death of the life tenant. Estate of Balson, 183 Wis. 2d 31, 515 N.W.2d 474 (Ct. App. 1994).NOTE:  The preceding cases were decided prior to the adoption of 1997 Wis. Act 188, which made extensive revisions to s. 853.27 and created s. 854.06.
WI Stat § 853.41 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.41 - Applicability of general transfers at death provisions.

853.41  Applicability of general transfers at death provisions. Chapter 854 applies to transfers under wills, including transfers under a Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust.History:  1997 a. 188.
WI Stat § 853.50 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.50 - Definitions.

853.50  Definitions. In ss. 853.50 to 853.62: (1) “By right of representation" means according to the method specified in s. 854.04 (1). (2) “Children" includes all children whether born or adopted before or after a Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust is executed. (3) “Issue" means children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and lineal descendants of more remote degrees, including those who occupy that relation by reason of adoption under s. 854.20 and nonmarital children and their lineal descendants to the extent provided by s. 852.05. (4) “Testator" means any person choosing to make a Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust. (5) “Trustee" means a person so designated in a Wisconsin basic will with trust and any other person acting at any time as the trustee under a Wisconsin basic will with trust. (6) “Wisconsin basic will" means a Wisconsin basic will executed in accordance with ss. 853.50 to 853.62. (7) “Wisconsin basic will with trust" means a Wisconsin basic will with trust executed in accordance with ss. 853.50 to 853.62.History:  1983 a. 376; 1997 a. 188.
WI Stat § 853.51 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.51 - Execution of will.

853.51  Execution of will. (1) The only method of executing a Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust is for all of the following to occur:(a) The testator shall do all of the following:1. Complete the blanks, boxes and lines substantially in accordance with the instructions.2. Sign the will.(bc) The witnesses shall comply with s. 853.03 (2). (2m) Any failure to comply with the instructions in a Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust, other than the requirements for the testator's and witnesses' signatures, does not affect the validity of the will.History:  1983 a. 376; 1997 a. 188.
WI Stat § 853.52 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.52 - Contents of wills.

853.52  Contents of wills. (1) There are 2 Wisconsin basic wills: the Wisconsin basic will and the Wisconsin basic will with trust. (2) The Wisconsin basic will includes all of the following:(a) The contents of the form for the Wisconsin basic will under s. 853.55.(b) The full texts of each of the following:1. The definitions under s. 853.50.2. The clause under s. 853.57.3. The property disposition clause under s. 853.58 adopted by the testator.4. The mandatory clauses under s. 853.60. (3) The Wisconsin basic will with trust includes all of the following:(a) The contents of the form for the Wisconsin basic will with trust under s. 853.56.(b) The full texts of each of the following:1. The definitions under s. 853.50.2. The clause under s. 853.57.3. The property disposition clause under s. 853.59.4. The mandatory clauses under ss. 853.60 and 853.61. (4) Any person who prints forms for the Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust shall place a signature line on each page of the printed document. A testator shall sign on each such line. Failure to comply with this subsection does not affect the validity of the will.History:  1983 a. 376; 1993 a. 304.
WI Stat § 853.53 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.53 - Selection of property disposition clause.

853.53  Selection of property disposition clause. If more than one property disposition clause is selected or if none is selected, the residuary property of a testator who signs a Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust shall be distributed to the testator's heirs as if the testator did not make a will.History:  1983 a. 376.
WI Stat § 853.54 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.54 - Revocation or revision.

853.54  Revocation or revision. (1) A Wisconsin basic will or a basic will with trust may be revoked and may be amended in the same manner as other wills. (2) Any additions to or deletions from the face of the form of the Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust, other than in accordance with the instructions, shall be ineffective and shall be disregarded. (3) Notwithstanding sub. (2), any failure to print in the proper places, provide the full name of a person or charity to receive a gift, include residences or use the phrase “not used" where applicable does not affect the validity of a Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust.History:  1983 a. 376.
WI Stat § 853.57 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.57 - Personal, recreational and household items.

853.57  Personal, recreational and household items. The following is the full text of paragraph 2.1 of the Wisconsin basic will and the basic will with trust:If my spouse survives me, I give my spouse all my books, jewelry, clothing, personal automobiles, recreational equipment, household furnishings and effects, and other tangible articles of a household, recreational or personal use, together with all policies of insurance insuring any such items. If my spouse does not survive me, the personal representative shall distribute those items among my children who survive me, and shall distribute those items in as nearly equal shares as feasible in the personal representative's discretion. If none of my children survive me, the items described in this paragraph shall become part of the residuary estate.History:  1983 a. 376.
WI Stat § 853.58 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.58 - Residuary estate; basic will.

853.58  Residuary estate; basic will. The following is the full text of the property disposition clauses referred to in paragraph 2.3 of the Wisconsin basic will:(a) TO MY SPOUSE IF LIVING; IF NOT LIVING, THEN TO MY CHILDREN AND THE DESCENDANTS OF ANY DECEASED CHILD BY RIGHT OF REPRESENTATION.If my spouse survives me, then I give all my residuary estate to my spouse. If my spouse does not survive me, then I give all my residuary estate to my descendants by right of representation who survive me. If my spouse and descendants do not survive me, the personal representative shall distribute my residuary estate to my heirs at law, their identities and respective shares to be determined according to the laws of the State of Wisconsin in effect on the date of my death.(b) TO BE DISTRIBUTED AS IF I DID NOT HAVE A WILL:The personal representative shall distribute my residuary estate to my heirs at law, their identities and respective shares to be determined according to the laws of the State of Wisconsin in effect on the date of my death.History:  1983 a. 376.
WI Stat § 853.60 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.60 - Mandatory clauses.

853.60  Mandatory clauses. The Wisconsin basic will and basic will with trust include the following mandatory clauses: (1)  Intestate disposition. If the testator has not made an effective disposition of the residuary estate, the personal representative shall distribute it to the testator's heirs at law, their identities and respective shares to be determined according to the laws of the state of Wisconsin in effect on the date of the testator's death. (2)  Powers of personal representative.  (a) In addition to any powers conferred upon personal representatives by law, the personal representative may do any of the following:1. Sell estate assets at public or private sale, for cash or on credit terms.2. Lease estate assets without restriction as to duration.3. Invest any surplus moneys of the estate in real or personal property, as the personal representative deems advisable.(b) The personal representative may distribute estate assets otherwise distributable to a minor beneficiary to any of the following:1. The guardian of the minor's person or estate.2. Any adult person with whom the minor resides and who has the care, custody or control of the minor.3. A custodian, serving on behalf of the minor under the uniform gifts to minors act or uniform transfers to minors act of any state.(c) On any distribution of assets from the estate, the personal representative may partition, allot and distribute the assets in kind, including undivided interests in an asset or in any part of it; partly in cash and partly in kind; or entirely in cash. If a distribution is being made to more than one beneficiary, the personal representative may distribute assets among them on a prorated or nonprorated basis, with the assets valued as of the date of distribution. (3)  Powers of guardian. A guardian of the person or of the estate nominated in the Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust, and subsequently appointed, shall have all of the powers conferred by law.History:  1983 a. 376; 1987 a. 191.
WI Stat § 853.61 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.61 - Mandatory clauses; basic will with trust.

853.61  Mandatory clauses; basic will with trust. The Wisconsin basic will with trust includes the following mandatory clauses: (1)  Ineffective disposition. If, at the termination of any trust created in the Wisconsin basic will with trust, there is no effective disposition of the remaining trust assets, then the trustee shall distribute those assets to the testator's then living heirs at law, their identities and respective shares to be determined as though the testator had died on the date of the trust's termination and according to the laws of the state of Wisconsin then in effect. (2)  Powers of trustee. (a) In addition to any powers conferred upon trustees by law, the trustee shall have all the powers listed in ss. 701.0815 and 701.0816.(b) In addition to the powers granted in par. (a), the trustee may:1. Hire and pay from the trust the fees of investment advisers, accountants, tax advisers, agents, attorneys and other assistants for the administration of the trust and for the management of any trust asset and for any litigation affecting the trust.2. On any distribution of assets from the trust, the trustee may partition, allot and distribute the assets in kind, including undivided interests in an asset or in any part of it; partly in cash and partly in kind; or entirely in cash. If a distribution is being made to more than one beneficiary, the trustee shall have the discretion to distribute assets among them on a prorated or nonprorated basis, with the assets valued as of the date of distribution.3. The trustee may, upon termination of the trust, distribute assets to a custodian for a minor beneficiary under the uniform gifts to minors act or uniform transfers to minors act of any state. The trustee is free of liability and is discharged from any further accountability for distributing assets in compliance with this section. (3)  Trust administrative provisions. The following provisions shall apply to any trust created by a Wisconsin basic will with trust:(a) The interests of trust beneficiaries shall not be transferable by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law and shall be free from the claims of creditors and from attachment, execution, bankruptcy or other legal process to the fullest extent permissible by law.(b) The trustee shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for ordinary and extraordinary services, and for all services in connection with the complete or partial termination of any trust created by this will.(c) All persons who have any interest in a trust under a Wisconsin basic will with trust are bound by all discretionary determinations the trustee makes in good faith under the authority granted in the Wisconsin basic will with trust.History:  1983 a. 376; 1987 a. 191; 2013 a. 92.
WI Stat § 853.62 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 853 - Wills.|853.62 - Date of execution of will.

853.62  Date of execution of will. Except as specifically provided in ss. 853.50 to 853.61, a Wisconsin basic will or basic will with trust includes only the texts of the property disposition clauses and the mandatory clauses as they exist on the day the will is executed.History:  1983 a. 376.
WI Stat § 854.01 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 854 - Transfers at death — general rules.|854.01 - Definitions.

854.01  Definitions. In this chapter: (1) “Extrinsic evidence" means evidence that would be inadmissible under the common law parole evidence rule or a similar doctrine because the evidence is not contained in the governing instrument to which it relates. (2) “Governing instrument" means a will; a deed; a trust instrument; an insurance or annuity policy; a contract; a pension, profit-sharing, retirement, or similar benefit plan; a marital property agreement under s. 766.58 (3) (f); a beneficiary designation under s. 40.02 (8) (a); an instrument under ch. 705; an instrument that creates or exercises a power of appointment; or any other dispositive, appointive, or nominative instrument that transfers property at death.  (3) “Revocable," with respect to a disposition, provision, or nomination, means one under which the decedent, at the time referred to, was alone empowered, by law or under the governing instrument, to change or revoke, regardless of whether the decedent was then empowered to designate himself or herself in place of a former designee, and regardless of whether the decedent then had the capacity to exercise the power. History:  1997 a. 188; 2005 a. 216 ss. 89, 90, 144.
WI Stat § 854.02 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 854 - Transfers at death — general rules.|854.02 - Scope.

854.02  Scope. This chapter applies to all statutes and governing instruments that transfer property at death.History:  1997 a. 188.Wisconsin's New Probate Code. Erlanger. Wis. Law. Oct. 1998.