reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WI Stat § 863.29 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.29 - Recording final judgment.

863.29  Recording final judgment. (1) Recording required. Whenever the final judgment assigns an interest in real property, assigns a debt which is secured by an interest in real property or shows the termination of a life estate or an interest as a joint tenant in real property or in a debt which is secured by an interest in real property, the final judgment, a certified copy of the final judgment or a certified abridgment thereof as described in sub. (2) shall be recorded by the personal representative in the office of the register of deeds in each county in this state in which the real property is located. (2)  Abridged final judgment. In lieu of a certified copy of the final judgment assigning the estate, the personal representative may record an abridgment of the final judgment including the portions that relate to and affect title to real property in the county in which the abridgment is recorded. The accuracy of the abridgment shall be certified by the judge or the register in probate of the court which assigned the estate.
WI Stat § 863.31 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.31 - Conclusiveness of final judgment.

863.31  Conclusiveness of final judgment. (1) Generally. The final judgment is a conclusive determination of the persons who are the successors in interest to the estate of the decedent and of the extent and character of their interests therein, subject only to the right of appeal and the right to reopen the judgment. It operates as an assignment or final adjudication of the transfer of the right, title and interest of the decedent to the distributees therein designated. (2)  As to purchasers for value from distributees. After the final judgment has been recorded in the office of the register of deeds in the county in which the real estate is located, purchasers for value of real estate which is described in the final judgment from distributees or their successors in title may rely on the final judgment as conclusive insofar as it purports to transfer to the distributees any title which the decedent held in the real estate at the time of the decedent's death, except to the extent that there has been a transfer of an interest in the real estate by the personal representative under ch. 860 or s. 863.01 of which the purchaser has actual notice or of which the purchaser has constructive notice because of recording in the office of the register of deeds in the county in which the real estate is located.History:  1993 a. 486.
WI Stat § 863.33 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.33 - Estates to be completed promptly.

863.33  Estates to be completed promptly. All estates are to be completed as soon as reasonably possible and without unnecessary delay.
WI Stat § 863.35 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.35 - Dormant estates.

863.35  Dormant estates. (1) If under formal administration final judgment is not entered in an estate within 18 months after filing of the petition for administration and the estate is not open pursuant to an order extending time, the judge shall order the attorney and the personal representative for the estate to show cause why final judgment has not been entered and shall proceed under s. 857.09. (2) If under informal administration under ch. 865 the estate has not been closed by sworn affidavit within 18 months after filing of the petition for administration and the estate is not open pursuant to an order extending time, the probate registrar shall order the personal representative for the estate to show cause why the estate has not been closed. If cause is not shown the probate registrar shall appoint a new personal representative acceptable to all interested parties other than creditors of the deceased who shall proceed under ch. 865.History:  1971 c. 40; 1973 c. 39.
WI Stat § 863.37 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.37 - Distribution of money or other property where payment or transfer is prohibited.

863.37  Distribution of money or other property where payment or transfer is prohibited. (1) If the laws, executive orders or regulations of the United States prohibit payment, conveyance, transfer, assignment or delivery of property to a legatee, devisee, ward or beneficiary of an estate or trust, or to any person on his or her behalf, the court, after notice to the person under s. 879.03, may by judgment or decree authorize such disposition of the property as is or may be permissible under or in conformity with the laws, executive orders or regulations of the United States. (2) (a) Whenever payment of a legacy or a distributive share cannot be made to the person entitled to payment or it appears that the person may not receive or have the opportunity to obtain payment, the court may, on petition of a person interested or on its own motion, order that the funds be paid or delivered to the secretary of revenue for deposit as provided under subch. VIII of ch. 177. Claims on the funds may be made under s. 863.39 within 10 years after the date of publication under s. 177.0503. When a claimant to the funds resides outside the United States or its territories the court may require the personal appearance of the claimant before the court.(b) Notwithstanding par. (a), whenever moneys arising from an unclaimed legacy or unclaimed intestate property have been deposited with the state treasurer on or after April 1, 1971, but before April 30, 1980, claims may be made for the property under s. 863.39 within 10 years after April 30, 1980.History:  1977 c. 449; 1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 408; 1997 a. 188; 2013 a. 20; 2021 a. 87.
WI Stat § 863.39 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.39 - Escheats.

863.39  Escheats. (1) Generally. If any legacy or intestate property is not claimed by the distributee within 120 days after entry of final judgment, or within the time designated in the judgment, it shall be converted into money as close to the inventory value as possible and paid to the administrator[, as defined in s. 177.01 (1),] for deposit as provided under s. 177.0801. Claims for the money shall be made under sub. (3).NOTE:  A cross-reference to the definition of “administrator” is shown in brackets. Corrective legislation is pending. (2)  Foreign distributee. If notice is given to a distributee domiciled in a foreign country under s. 879.03 and the distributee is not heard from within 120 days after entry of final judgment of distribution, or within a longer time designated in the judgment, the property which the distributee would take shall not escheat, but shall descend as intestate property. (3)  Recovery of money. (a) Within 10 years after the date of publication under s. 177.0503, any person claiming any amount deposited under sub. (1) may file in the probate court in which the estate was settled a petition alleging the basis of his or her claim. The court shall order a hearing upon the petition, and 20 days' notice of the hearing and a copy of the petition shall be given by the claimant to the department of revenue and to the attorney general, who may appear for the state at the hearing. If the claim is established it shall be allowed without interest, but including any increment which may have occurred on securities held, and the court shall so certify to the department of administration, which shall audit the claim. The secretary of revenue shall pay the claim out of the appropriation under s. 20.566 (4) (j). Before issuing the order distributing the estate, the court shall issue an order determining the death tax due, if any. If real property has been adjudged to escheat to the state under s. 852.01 (3) the probate court which made the adjudication may adjudge at any time before title has been transferred from the state that the title shall be transferred to the proper owners under this subsection.(b) Notwithstanding par. (a), whenever moneys arising from an unclaimed legacy or unclaimed intestate property have been deposited with the state treasurer on or after April 1, 1971, but before April 30, 1980, claims may be made for the property under this section within 10 years after April 30, 1980.History:  1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 408; 1987 a. 27 s. 3200 (47); 1993 a. 486; 2013 a. 20; 2021 a. 87.Cross-reference:  See ch. 24 for procedure for handling escheated lands.Cross-reference:  See s. 895.42 as to deposit of undistributed money and property with public administrator or bank with trust powers.The personal representative of a known deceased person is a proper party to claim an unclaimed legacy. The court can determine the date of death to determine entitlement to the fund. Estate of Rosenstein, 47 Wis. 2d 494, 177 N.W.2d 372 (1970).
WI Stat § 863.41 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.41 - Receipts to be filed.

863.41  Receipts to be filed. Within 120 days after the final judgment is signed the personal representative shall file with the court receipts from distributees for all personal property assigned in the final judgment, unless the court extends the time.
WI Stat § 863.43 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.43 - Distribution to ward; notice.

863.43  Distribution to ward; notice. At least 10 days prior to distribution of a share or legacy for the benefit of a minor or individual adjudicated incompetent for whom a guardian of the estate has been appointed, the personal representative shall notify the court appointing the guardian of the estate, in writing, the total property to be distributed to the guardian of the estate for the benefit of the guardian's ward. An affidavit of mailing the notice shall be filed before making the distribution.History:  1993 a. 486; 2005 a. 387.
WI Stat § 863.45 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.45 - Receipts from guardians.

863.45  Receipts from guardians. If a distributee of an estate is a minor or an individual adjudicated incompetent and has within this state a guardian of his or her estate, the personal representative shall deliver the money or other property to the guardian of the estate, take a receipt from the guardian of the estate, and file the receipt with the court. The court shall transmit a certified copy of the receipt to the court which appointed the guardian of the estate.History:  1977 c. 449; 2005 a. 387.Cross-reference:  See s. 54.12, which describes the situations in which a guardian is not required for a minor or incompetent.Cross-reference:  See s. 54.64 (6), which provides procedure for payment to and receipt by a foreign guardian.
WI Stat § 863.46 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.46 - Remedy of creditors of certain heirs and legatees; service of citation.

863.46  Remedy of creditors of certain heirs and legatees; service of citation. (1) If any legacy or distributive share of any estate belongs to any debtor who has absconded from or is a nonresident of this state, any of his or her creditors may petition to intervene in the probate proceedings to compel the application of the legacy or distributive share to the payment of his or her debt. (2) If the appearance of the debtor is necessary for the proceedings, the creditor may serve the debtor with a citation in the manner provided by s. 879.05. (3) Upon proof of service, the court shall consider the petition at the time fixed in the citation. The court may grant such relief as it determines is just. Any order, judgment or determination made in the proceedings is binding on the debtor. If the claim is not a judgment and any issue arises in the proceedings related to the debt, the court may stay the proceedings pending the final determination of the issue. The court may at any time require the petitioner to give a bond in such sum and with such sureties for costs and damages as it deems proper.History:  1985 a. 29.
WI Stat § 863.47 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.47 - Order of discharge of personal representative.

863.47  Order of discharge of personal representative. Upon proof of the recording of certified copies of the final judgment or abridgments thereof, if required by s. 863.29, and upon the filing of receipts from the distributees for all other property assigned in the final judgment, or other evidence of transfer satisfactory to the court, the court shall enter an order finding those facts, discharging the personal representative and canceling the personal representative's bond.History:  1973 c. 233; 1993 a. 486.
WI Stat § 863.49 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 863 - Closing estates.|863.49 - Inactive estates; summary discontinuance.

863.49  Inactive estates; summary discontinuance. The court may by order upon its own motion and without notice summarily discontinue any administration in which no paper has been filed for more than 5 years and may cancel the bond.History:  1977 c. 449.
WI Stat § 865.01 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 865 - Probate — informal administration.|865.01 - Applicability of informal administration.

865.01  Applicability of informal administration. “Informal administration of estates" means the administration of decedents' estates, testate and intestate, without exercise of continuous supervision by the court. Administrative action by the probate registrar is not action by the court. Informal administration proceedings are, nevertheless, circuit court proceedings, records of which shall be kept in the same manner as they are kept for formal proceedings; all of the duties and powers of registers in probate, including the certification of papers filed in the probate court, apply to informal proceedings in the same manner as they apply to formal proceedings. All provisions of chs. 851 to 879 not inconsistent with this chapter shall apply to the informal administration of estates.History:  1973 c. 39; 1975 c. 331; 1977 c. 449.Informal administration of decedents' estates in Wisconsin. 1974 WLR 581.
WI Stat § 865.02 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 865 - Probate — informal administration.|865.02 - Use of informal administration.

865.02  Use of informal administration. (1) Informal administration may be used:(a) Where the decedent died testate and:1. The will does not prohibit the use of informal administration;2. The will names a personal representative who accepts such appointment;3. Bond is furnished if required under s. 865.07 as provided under s. 856.25; and4. The probate registrar may appoint a guardian ad litem, and shall have the authority, for such purpose, granted to the court by, and shall proceed pursuant to s. 879.23.(b) Where the decedent died intestate or the requirements of par. (a) 2. and 3. are not satisfied and:1. All interested persons request or consent in writing to informal administration and to the appointment of the same person as personal representative. A guardian or guardian ad litem may consent on behalf of an interested person who is a minor or is an individual adjudicated incompetent. The probate registrar may appoint a guardian ad litem, and shall have the authority, for such purpose, granted to the court by, and shall proceed pursuant to s. 879.23.2. Bond is furnished if required under s. 865.07 as provided under s. 856.25. (2) Where the will of the decedent expressly prohibits informal administration it shall not be used.History:  1973 c. 39; 1975 c. 331; 2005 a. 387.
WI Stat § 865.03 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 865 - Probate — informal administration.|865.03 - Formal proceedings: nature; effect.

865.03  Formal proceedings: nature; effect. (1) A formal proceeding in this chapter is a judicial proceeding before the court involving the administration of the estate of a decedent, including a court proceeding concerning the use or availability of this chapter. It is distinguished from an administrative proceeding before the probate registrar. Formal proceedings, either as to a particular issue or as to the entire subsequent administration of the estate, may be initiated by the personal representative or by any interested person at any time by a written demand therefor. Formal proceedings may be demanded by a guardian or guardian ad litem on behalf of an interested person who is a minor or is an individual adjudicated incompetent. (2) A demand for formal proceedings shall be served on the personal representative, if any, and filed with the court. Service of a demand on the personal representative or, if none is appointed, filing of a demand with the court shall suspend informal administration as to the issues or matters referred to therein and shall suspend the powers of the personal representative in respect thereto until the same are reinstated by the court.History:  1973 c. 39; 2005 a. 387.
WI Stat § 865.031 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 865 - Probate — informal administration.|865.031 - Effect of fraud and evasion.

865.031  Effect of fraud and evasion. Whenever fraud has been perpetrated in connection with any proceeding or in any statement filed under this chapter, or if fraud is used to avoid or circumvent the provisions or purposes of this chapter, any person injured thereby may obtain appropriate relief against the perpetrator of the fraud, including restitution from any person, other than a bona fide purchaser, benefiting from the fraud, whether innocent or not. Any proceeding must be commenced within 2 years after the discovery of the fraud, but no proceeding may be brought against one not a perpetrator of the fraud later than 5 years after the time of commission of the fraud. This section has no bearing on remedies relating to fraud practiced on a decedent during the decedent's lifetime which affects the succession of the decedent's estate.History:  1973 c. 39; 1993 a. 486.
WI Stat § 865.04 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 865 - Probate — informal administration.|865.04 - Proceedings independent; exceptions.

865.04  Proceedings independent; exceptions. (1) Except where a demand for formal administration of the estate has been duly made:(a) Any interested person may apply for informal administration if administration of the estate has not been commenced under s. 856.07 or 879.57 or ch. 867; and(b) The personal representative may apply for informal administration at any time during administration. (2) The determination of each issue and the completion of each proceeding required for the administration of a decedent's estate is independent of any other issue or proceeding involving the same estate. (3) Petitions in formal proceedings during informal administration may combine various requests for relief if all the requests may be finally granted without delay. (4) Upon entry of an order or judgment in a formal proceeding informal administration shall resume except as otherwise ordered by the court.History:  1973 c. 39, 243.
WI Stat § 865.05 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 865 - Probate — informal administration.|865.05 - Notice: method and time of giving.

865.05  Notice: method and time of giving. (1) Notice of application to initiate administration of an estate under this chapter shall be given to the persons entitled thereto under s. 879.03 (2) and (3) in accordance with s. 879.05, unless waived under s. 879.09. Notice to creditors shall be given in accordance with s. 859.07. (2) When an estate is under formal administration and is to be made subject to this chapter the personal representative shall give notice to every interested person at least 20 days prior to filing with the probate registrar the application to initiate informal administration. Notice shall be given under s. 879.05, unless waived under s. 879.09. (3) When an estate is under informal administration and a demand for a formal proceeding has been made, the personal representative shall, within 10 days of receipt of the demand, mail to each person interested in the estate a statement disclosing the demand and its nature.History:  1973 c. 39; 1975 c. 331; 1977 c. 73; 1989 a. 96.
WI Stat § 865.06 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 865 - Probate — informal administration.|865.06 - Application; contents.

865.06  Application; contents. (1) The application to initiate informal administration shall be verified and shall be directed to the probate registrar of the court designated by s. 856.01 and shall state the information required by ss. 879.01 and 856.09, and whether any probate or administration proceeding concerning the estate of the decedent is pending in this state or elsewhere, and the nature of such proceeding, if any. (2) In addition to the statements required by sub. (1), where the decedent apparently died testate, the application shall state:(a) That the original will is in the possession of the court or accompanies the application, or that it was probated elsewhere and an authenticated copy accompanies the application;(b) That the applicant believes the will to have been executed properly and to be valid and that the applicant has made diligent inquiry and is unaware of any subsequent revocation of the will. (3) In addition to the statements required by sub. (1), where the decedent apparently died intestate, the application shall state that the applicant has made diligent inquiry and is unaware of any unrevoked testamentary instrument of the decedent. (4) An application for appointment of a successor personal representative shall adopt the statements of any previous application unless they no longer are accurate in which event corrected statements shall be made. Consents required by s. 865.02 shall be reaffirmed by all interested persons. (5) An application for informal administration in a pending estate shall incorporate all information otherwise required by this section and in addition shall set forth the name and post-office address of the personal representative of the estate.History:  1973 c. 39; 1993 a. 486.
WI Stat § 865.065 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 865 - Probate — informal administration.|865.065 - Probate registrar: definition and powers.

865.065  Probate registrar: definition and powers. (1) The term “probate registrar" refers to the official of the court designated to perform the functions of probate registrar. The acts and orders which this chapter specifies as performable by the probate registrar may be performed either by the court or by a person, including the clerk, deputy clerk, register in probate, deputy register in probate and court legal assistant, designated by the court by a written order filed and recorded in the office of the court. The probate registrar shall be an officer of the court and, unless prohibited by the court, shall be entitled to use the court seal. (2) The probate registrar, the deputy or members of the staff of the probate registrar, or other persons designated to perform the duties of the probate registrar under this chapter, shall advise, within their competence, in the preparation of any of the documents required to be prepared and filed by the personal representative under this chapter.History:  1973 c. 39; 1975 c. 331; 1977 c. 343, 449.A probate registrar is an official of the county court, and ss. 256.22 and 59.40 [now ss. 757.22 and 59.41] would prohibit an attorney who serves as probate registrar from practicing law in county [now circuit] court. 63 Atty. Gen. 55.