The Wisconsin Application for Informal Administration (Form PR-1801) is the document a person files with the county Register in Probate to open a deceased person’s estate and ask the Probate Registrar to appoint a personal representative who will settle that estate without ongoing judge supervision. You file it in the circuit court of the county where the person who died lived, and it is the first form in a small stack of startup papers that begin the informal probate process.
This form starts the legal authority to pay bills, sell property, and pass assets to heirs. Get a name, a domicile, or an heir list wrong, and the Registrar can refuse to appoint you, which freezes the estate and forces costly amendments. Most Wisconsin estates are handled informally rather than formally, and the inventory filing fee alone runs 0.2% of the estate’s value under Wis. Stat. 814.66, so a $300,000 estate pays about $600 just to list assets.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What PR-1801 does and exactly who must file it under Chapter 865.
- ✍️ How to fill out every line, box, and signature block on the form in plain English.
- 🧾 Which companion forms travel with PR-1801 and why the estate stalls without them.
- 💵 The real fees, deadlines, and the 0.2% inventory charge you cannot skip.
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get applications rejected and how to dodge each one.
What Form PR-1801 Is and Who Must File It
Form PR-1801 is the official Application for Informal Administration published by the Wisconsin Court System, and it asks the Probate Registrar to open an estate and appoint a personal representative. Informal administration, defined in Wis. Stat. 865.01, means the estate is settled without a judge watching every step. Instead of a judge, a court officer called the Probate Registrar reviews your paperwork and signs off. This route is faster and cheaper than formal administration, which is why most families choose it.
You must file PR-1801 if you are an “interested person” who wants to settle the estate of someone who died while living in Wisconsin, or who owned property in Wisconsin. An interested person usually means an heir, a beneficiary named in the will, or a creditor. The form works for both testate estates (the person left a valid will) and intestate estates (no will). The person who signs and files it is the applicant, and that person usually asks to be named the personal representative.
The agency that receives the form is the Register in Probate office in the county circuit court. The statute that requires and governs the process is Chapter 865 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The deadline that matters most after appointment is the six-month inventory filing window, and the penalty for ignoring the process is simple but harsh: without an appointed personal representative, no one has legal power to touch the estate’s accounts or transfer its property.
One more point ties these pieces together. The Registrar (the agency) uses Chapter 865 (the statute) to decide whether your PR-1801 is complete, and only after it is complete does the clock on the inventory deadline start. So the form, the agency, the statute, and the deadline all hinge on one thing: a correct application.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open the form only after you gather your facts, because PR-1801 asks for exact names, dates, and dollar figures that you cannot guess. Filers who start cold end up filing an Amended application, which delays the estate by weeks. Use this pre-filing checklist before you write a single word on the form.
- Certified death certificate. The Registrar needs proof the person died and the exact date, because the date of death sets every deadline. Without it, the Registrar will not open the estate.
- The original will and any codicils. If the person left a will, the original must be deposited with the court, since a copy alone will not support a testate filing. A missing original can force the estate into formal administration.
- Decedent’s full legal name and any other names used. Banks and title offices match assets to the exact name, so a nickname or maiden name mismatch can lock an account.
- Date and county of death and the county of domicile. Domicile decides which county court has authority, and filing in the wrong county wastes the fee.
- A complete list of heirs and beneficiaries with addresses. Every interested person must be identified and notified, and a missing heir can void the appointment later.
- An estimate of the estate’s value, split between real estate and personal property. This drives the 0.2% inventory fee and the bond question.
- The decedent’s Social Security number and date of birth. These confirm identity and are used on related notices and tax filings.
- The name and address of your proposed personal representative. This is usually you, and the Registrar checks that this person has priority to serve.
- Whether a trust exists in the will. A testamentary trust adds forms like PR-1930 and PR-1931, and missing them stalls funding the trust.
Gather extra copies of the death certificate too. Each bank, brokerage, and title company wants its own certified copy, and ordering more later slows you down.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get the current PR-1801 free from the Wisconsin Court System website, never from a random third-party site that may host an old version. Go to the circuit court probate forms page, then choose Informal Administration, and select PR-1801 Application for Informal Administration. The Calumet County guide spells out the same path: pick “Forms,” then “Circuit Court Forms,” then “Probate,” then “Informal Administration”.
The form comes as a fillable PDF you can type into on a computer, plus a downloadable Word version. Type your answers instead of handwriting them, because typed forms reduce reading errors at the counter. Check the revision date printed in the bottom corner of the form before you file, since the Registrar can reject an outdated version. Always confirm you have the mandatory (“GF”) current edition rather than a saved copy from a prior year.
Many county Register in Probate offices also keep paper copies and packets at the courthouse. Some counties, such as those described in the Brown County procedures, ask self-represented filers to call for an appointment before coming in. Calling ahead is wise, because the staff can tell you the county’s specific extra forms and current fees, and they can flag local quirks before you waste a trip.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PR-1801 Line by Line
The line-by-line walkthrough below follows the form from the top caption down to your signature. Use the exact field labels printed on PR-1801, and italicized text shows you sample entries. Take each H3 in order, since the form builds on itself.
County and Court Caption (Top of Form)
The top of PR-1801 asks for the County in the heading “STATE OF WISCONSIN, CIRCUIT COURT, ___ COUNTY.” This names the court where you are opening the estate. Write the county where the person who died was domiciled, in capital letters, such as DANE. If the person had no Wisconsin domicile, you may file in any county where their property sits, as the O’Flaherty Law guide explains.
A common edge case is the snowbird who spent winters in Florida but kept a Wisconsin home. Domicile follows where the person intended to return, not where they died, so a Madison resident who died on vacation still files in DANE County. The most common mistake here is naming the county of death instead of the county of domicile, and the consequence is a court with no authority, which means a refused filing and a wasted fee. Many filers wrongly believe you file where the funeral happened; the form cares only about legal domicile.
“In the Matter of the Estate of” (Decedent’s Name)
This field asks for the full legal name of the person who died. Enter the name exactly as it appears on official records, using the format the person used on deeds and bank accounts, such as Robert James Miller. If the person used more than one name, list the other names too, often shown as “a/k/a,” so assets titled under each name can be reached.
Suppose Robert James Miller also held a CD under “Bob Miller.” You write Robert James Miller a/k/a Bob Miller so the bank releases both. The “Amended” checkbox at the top is checked only when you are correcting an application you already filed, never on a first filing. The common mistake is using a nickname alone, which causes a name mismatch that freezes the very account you are trying to reach. People often think the court “knows” the deceased; it does not, and the name on this line becomes the legal title of the case.
Decedent’s Date of Death and Domicile
This part asks when the person died and where they were domiciled at death. Enter the date of death in month/day/year form, such as 03/14/2026, and list the street address, city, and county of domicile. The date sets the start point for creditor and inventory deadlines, so accuracy matters.
If the person lived in a nursing home at the end, domicile is usually the home county where they intended to remain, not always the facility’s county, which can differ. A frequent mistake is guessing the date of death rather than copying it from the death certificate, and an off-by-a-day error can throw later deadline math out of line. Filers sometimes believe domicile and “last address” are always the same; they are not, especially for someone in temporary care.
Testate or Intestate (Will or No Will)
This section asks whether the person died testate (left a will) or intestate (no will). Check the box that fits, and if testate, state the date the will was signed, such as A valid will dated 06/02/2019 exists. The state probate guide tells you to settle this question first, because it controls who inherits and who serves.
If there is a will but you only have a photocopy, that is an edge case that usually pushes the estate to formal administration, because the original must be deposited. The common mistake is checking “testate” while failing to file the original will, which the Registrar will catch and which halts appointment. A widespread misconception is that a will avoids probate; it does not, it only directs how probate distributes assets.
Heirs and Interested Persons
This field asks you to identify the heirs and other interested persons, with their names, addresses, ages, and relationship to the deceased. List every person who would inherit and anyone the will names, for example Sarah Miller, daughter, age 34, 12 Oak St., Madison, WI. Note any heir who is a minor or who is legally incompetent, because that triggers extra protection.
If an heir is a minor, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem to protect that child’s share, which is a common edge case in young families. The biggest mistake is leaving out an heir, because every interested person has a right to notice, and a skipped heir can later unwind the whole appointment. Many filers think only people named in the will count; under intestacy, the heirs are set by Wisconsin law, not by the family’s wishes.
Estimated Value of the Estate
This part asks for the estimated value of the estate, usually split between real estate (real property) and other assets (personal property). Enter your best good-faith estimate in dollars, such as Real property $220,000; personal property $80,000. These numbers help the Registrar decide whether a bond is needed and they preview the inventory fee.
A common edge case is property held jointly or with a payable-on-death beneficiary, which often passes outside probate and should not be counted in the estate value. The frequent mistake is inflating or guessing the value with no basis, which can trigger an unneeded bond or a higher fee. People often assume the home’s full market value counts, but mortgages and liens reduce the figure used for the inventory fee.
Proposed Personal Representative and Request for Appointment
This section names the person you want appointed as personal representative and asks the Registrar to appoint them. Enter that person’s full name and address, usually your own, such as Sarah Miller, 12 Oak St., Madison, WI 53703. The form ties to the separate Consent to Serve (PR-1807), which the proposed representative signs.
Priority to serve follows the will first, then close family, so an edge case is two siblings who both want the job and must agree or let the court decide. The common mistake is naming someone who lacks priority without the higher-priority people declining, which invites a dispute. A misconception is that the oldest child automatically serves; a will’s named executor outranks birth order every time.
Bond Statement
This field addresses whether the personal representative must post a bond, which is a financial guarantee that protects the estate. Many wills waive bond, so you state whether the will waives it or whether one is required, such as The will waives bond. The court makes the final call based on the estate’s value, asset type, and the will’s terms, as the Dane County checklist notes.
If bond is required, you may file a signature bond on PR-1809 or a corporate surety bond, an edge case that adds cost and time. The common mistake is assuming no bond is needed when the will is silent, which can stall your letters until a bond is posted. People often think bond is always required; in fact, a will’s waiver or all heirs’ consent frequently removes it.
Applicant’s Signature and Verification
The last block is your signature as the applicant, which verifies that the statements are true. Sign and date it, print your name and address, and provide a phone number, such as Sarah Miller, 03/20/2026. Your signature is made under penalty of false swearing, so every fact above must be accurate.
An edge case is an out-of-state applicant, who can still sign but may need to appoint a Wisconsin resident agent for service. The common mistake is signing before the form is complete, then noticing an error, which forces a re-signed amended form. A misconception is that a lawyer must sign; a self-represented applicant signs their own application without an attorney.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three walkthroughs below show how different families complete PR-1801. Each follows one named person through the form’s major sections.
Scenario 1 — Sarah, surviving spouse with a will (testate, simple estate). Sarah’s husband Robert left a valid will naming her as personal representative, and all heirs sign waivers.
| Form Section | What Sarah Enters |
|---|---|
| County | DANE |
| Decedent’s Name | Robert James Miller a/k/a Bob Miller |
| Date of Death | 03/14/2026 |
| Domicile | 12 Oak St., Madison, Dane County |
| Testate/Intestate | Testate — will dated 06/02/2019 |
| Heirs/Interested Persons | Sarah Miller (spouse); Emma Miller (daughter, 34) |
| Estimated Value | Real $220,000; personal $80,000 |
| Proposed Representative | Sarah Miller |
| Bond | Will waives bond |
Scenario 2 — Marcus, adult child of a parent with no will (intestate). Marcus’s mother died without a will, so heirship follows Wisconsin’s intestacy rules and a bond may apply.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| County | BROWN |
| Decedent’s Name | Linda Carol Reyes |
| Date of Death | 02/01/2026 |
| Domicile | 48 Pine Ave., Green Bay, Brown County |
| Testate/Intestate | Intestate — no will found |
| Heirs/Interested Persons | Marcus Reyes (son, 40); Tina Reyes (daughter, 37) |
| Estimated Value | Real $150,000; personal $35,000 |
| Proposed Representative | Marcus Reyes |
| Bond | Bond required — signature bond PR-1809 to be filed |
Scenario 3 — Janet, with an out-of-state heir and a minor (complex estate). Janet files for her late brother, whose heirs include a minor nephew, so formal notice and a Guardian ad Litem come into play.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County | WAUKESHA |
| Decedent’s Name | Daniel Price |
| Date of Death | 01/20/2026 |
| Domicile | 7 Birch Ln., Waukesha, Waukesha County |
| Testate/Intestate | Testate — will dated 11/15/2021 |
| Heirs/Interested Persons | Janet Price (sister); Lucas Price (nephew, age 9, minor); Karen Price (Texas) |
| Estimated Value | Real $310,000; personal $120,000 |
| Proposed Representative | Janet Price |
| Bond | Court to determine; minor heir present |
These named filers reappear in the mistakes and FAQ sections so you can see how one wrong entry plays out differently for a simple estate versus a complex one.
How to File the Completed Form PR-1801
You file PR-1801 with the Register in Probate in the county circuit court, and Wisconsin informal administration runs through that office, not a statewide online portal. Below are the channels available in most counties, with what to expect for each.
In person at the courthouse. Bring the original will, the certified death certificate, PR-1801, and the companion startup forms to the county Register in Probate counter. Pay the inventory filing fee of 0.2% of the estate’s value, or $20.00 for estates of $10,000 or less, per Wis. Stat. 814.66. Most offices accept cash, check, or money order, and you should keep the stamped receipt and a file-stamped copy of your application as proof of filing. Many counties ask self-represented filers to schedule an appointment first.
By mail. You can mail the original signed forms and a check to the Register in Probate at the courthouse address listed on your county’s website. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the office received your packet, and expect added days for mailing both ways. The same fees apply, and the office mails back your file-stamped copies and, once appointed, your Domiciliary Letters (PR-1810).
County variation and processing time. Each county sets its own appointment rules and counter hours, so confirm the exact address and accepted payment before you go. After the Registrar reviews a complete application, appointment and issuance of Letters can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on whether all waivers are signed. Keep your receipt, your file-stamped PR-1801, and your Letters together, because banks demand the Letters as your proof of authority.
What Happens After You File
After the Registrar accepts a complete PR-1801 and the companion forms, the Registrar appoints the personal representative and issues Domiciliary Letters (PR-1810), which are your proof of legal authority. With Letters in hand, you can open an estate checking account, access the decedent’s accounts, and manage assets. The Fond du Lac County guide reminds you that you may not act as personal representative until the court appoints you.
Next, you give notice to creditors, usually by publishing a notice in the county’s official newspaper, which opens a window for claims, commonly around 90 days. You also notify interested persons, either through signed Waiver and Consent (PR-1803) forms or, if those cannot be gathered, by mailed notice using PR-1805. The O’Flaherty overview explains this notice step in plain terms.
Then you file an Inventory listing the estate’s assets, due within six months of appointment, and you pay the 0.2% inventory fee at that stage if not already paid. You pay valid claims and taxes, distribute what remains to heirs, and finally file closing documents to terminate the estate. Skipping the inventory or notice steps can extend the estate and expose you to personal liability.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out PR-1801
Each mistake below pairs a specific error with its direct consequence, so you can see the cost before it happens.
- Filing in the county of death instead of domicile; the court lacks authority and rejects the case.
- Using a nickname instead of the full legal name; assets titled under the legal name stay frozen.
- Checking “testate” without depositing the original will; the Registrar halts appointment.
- Guessing the date of death; downstream creditor and inventory deadlines miscalculate.
- Leaving an heir off the interested-persons list; the appointment can be challenged and unwound.
- Forgetting to flag a minor heir; the court later forces a Guardian ad Litem and delays distribution.
- Naming a representative who lacks priority; a higher-priority heir can object and stall the case.
- Assuming no bond is needed when the will is silent; Letters are withheld until a bond posts.
- Inflating the estate value with no basis; you trigger an unneeded bond or a higher fee.
- Signing before the form is finished; you must re-sign an amended application.
- Forgetting companion forms like PR-1806, PR-1807, or PR-1808; the packet is incomplete and returned.
- Submitting an outdated form version; the Registrar refuses the old edition.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do: – Confirm domicile before choosing the county, because the wrong court has no power to act. – Copy names and dates straight from the death certificate, since exact data prevents holds. – File the original will, not a copy, because only the original supports a testate case. – List every heir and beneficiary, because each has a legal right to notice. – Keep your file-stamped copy and receipt, since banks demand proof of your authority. – Call the Register in Probate first, because counties set their own appointment rules.
Don’t: – Don’t count joint or payable-on-death assets, because they usually pass outside probate. – Don’t act as representative before the court appoints you, since you have no authority yet. – Don’t skip the bond statement, because a silent will can still require a bond. – Don’t use a third-party form site, because you risk filing an outdated version. – Don’t miss the six-month inventory deadline, because delay can create personal liability. – Don’t guess at heirship under intestacy, because Wisconsin law sets the order, not the family.
Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many Wisconsin estates are handled pro se, but help makes sense for complex ones. Weigh the trade-offs below.
Pros of filing on your own: – You save attorney fees, which preserves more of the estate for heirs. – You control the timeline, since you are not waiting on a third party. – Simple, testate estates with cooperative heirs are well suited to self-filing. – The court’s self-help probate guide walks you through each step. – You learn the estate’s details firsthand, which speeds later decisions.
Cons of filing on your own: – One missed heir or wrong field can unwind the appointment, costing time and money. – Intestate, contested, or minor-heir estates carry rules that are easy to misapply. – You bear personal liability for errors in notice, claims, or distribution. – Bond and Guardian ad Litem questions are hard to judge without experience. – Tax and trust issues in larger estates often need professional review.
Comparison: Informal vs. Formal Administration
| Feature | Informal Administration |
|---|---|
| Oversight | Probate Registrar reviews paperwork, no continuous judge supervision under Ch. 865 |
| Best for | Simple, uncontested estates with cooperative heirs |
| Starting form | PR-1801 Application for Informal Administration |
| Speed and cost | Faster and cheaper than formal administration |
| When it breaks down | Disputes, missing original will, or contested heirship push it to formal |
Key Companion Forms and Entities
PR-1801 never travels alone, and knowing its partners prevents a returned packet. The core startup set, listed in the Calumet County guide, pairs the application with related forms.
- PR-1806 Proof of Heirship establishes who the heirs are.
- PR-1807 Consent to Serve is signed by your proposed personal representative.
- PR-1808 Statement of Informal Administration confirms the estate qualifies for the informal track.
- PR-1810 Domiciliary Letters is your proof of authority once appointed.
- PR-1803 Waiver and Consent is signed by all heirs and beneficiaries to skip mailed notice.
- PR-1804 Notice to Creditors or PR-1805 Notice to Interested Persons handles required notice.
- PR-1809 Signature/Surety Bond is filed when the court requires a bond.
The key entities are the Register in Probate office that receives the filing, the Probate Registrar who reviews and appoints, the circuit court that houses the case, and Chapter 865 that governs the whole process.
FAQs
Do I file PR-1801 in the county where the person died? No. You file in the county where the person was legally domiciled at death, which can differ from where they died. If they had no Wisconsin domicile, file where their property sits.
Do I need the original will to file? Yes. A testate estate requires the original will deposited with the court. A photocopy alone usually forces the estate into formal administration and delays appointment.
Do I write the decedent’s nickname or full legal name in the “Estate of” field? No. Use the full legal name, then add any “a/k/a” names. A nickname alone can freeze accounts titled under the legal name.
Do I check the “Amended” box on my first filing? No. The Amended box is only for correcting an application you already filed. Leave it blank on an original filing.
Do I list a minor heir on the interested-persons section? Yes. List every heir, including minors, and flag the minor’s age. A minor heir can trigger a Guardian ad Litem to protect their share.
Do I count joint accounts in the estimated estate value? No. Joint and payable-on-death assets usually pass outside probate, so they are not included in the value used for the inventory fee.
Do I always need a bond? No. Many wills waive bond, and the court decides based on estate value and asset type. A signature bond on PR-1809 may apply if one is required.
Do I pay a fee when I file? Yes. The inventory filing fee is 0.2% of the estate’s value, or $20.00 for estates of $10,000 or less, under Wis. Stat. 814.66.
Do I get authority to act as soon as I file? No. You gain authority only after the Registrar appoints you and issues Domiciliary Letters (PR-1810). Acting earlier exposes you to liability.
Do I need a lawyer to file PR-1801? No. Many filers handle simple estates pro se using the court’s self-help guide. Complex, contested, or intestate estates often benefit from professional help.
Do I write the date of death with slashes or dashes? Yes. Use the month/day/year format, such as 03/14/2026, copied directly from the certified death certificate to keep deadlines accurate.
Do I need PR-1801 alone, or other forms too? No. PR-1801 is filed with companion forms like PR-1806, PR-1807, PR-1808, and PR-1810. An incomplete packet is returned without action.
Do I have to publish a creditor notice? Yes. After appointment you publish a notice to creditors in the county’s official newspaper, opening the claims window, usually around 90 days.
Do all heirs have to sign the Waiver and Consent (PR-1803)? Yes. If all interested persons sign PR-1803, you skip mailed notice. If even one will not sign, you must give formal notice using PR-1805.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Kansas Application for Informal Probate (Petition for Informal Administration) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Wisconsin Final Estate Account and Petition for Distribution + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Wisconsin Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate (Form PR-1811) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Wisconsin Small Estate Affidavit (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Alaska Application for Informal Probate (Forms P-315 & P-325) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Hawaii Application for Informal Probate (Form 4-2) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Arkansas Petition for Probate of Will (w/Examples) + FAQs