Pierce County
414 W. Main St., PO Box 97
Ellsworth, WI 54011
Phone: (715) 273-6752 FAX: 273-6794
Probate Registrar/Register in Probate/ Juvenile Court Clerk |
Dee Novak |
E-mail: dee.novak@wicourts.gov |
Deputy Register in Probate |
Carol Dewolf | E-mail: carol.dewolf@wicourts.gov |
DUTIES: Coordinates the judicial duties and administrative functions of the Probate Court. The Register in Probate assists in the probate of all estate proceedings: Manages all formal probate files and administrative proceedings, wills filed for safekeeping, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, protective placements, mental, alcohol and drug abuse commitment records and adoptions. The Register in Probate records all documents and proceedings in probate court. Probate Registrar handles the administration of informal probate proceedings, testate and intestate. Clerk of Juvenile Court files all documents and keeps the court records of the files pertinent to the children's and juvenile justice code.
Legal Advice
Register in Probate office staff cannot give legal advice. Please contact an attorney if you have legal questions or call the lawyer referral service at 800.362.9082. A free Legal Clinic is available the fourth Tuesday of every month from 6:00pm - 7:30pm in the EOC Room of the Courthouse Annex. The clinic is staffed by members of the St Croix Valley Bar Association.
Certified Copies
Request for certified copies may be made in person or by mail. If the request is by mail, please enclose the correct fee and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. Payment must be received before the issuance of certified copies.
Filing the Original Will
- If the decedent left a Will, it must be filed with the Probate office within 30 days of death even if no probate is required.
- Complete and file with the Register in Probate office the Affidavit of No Probate form.
- If a probate proceeding is required, the decedent's original Will can be filed along with the other case initiation documents.
- There is no fee for filing the original Will.
To File a Claim Against an Estate
- Complete standard state form PR-1819.
- File the completed form with the Register in Probate together with the $3.00 statutory filing feel.
- Send a copy to the Personal Representative and the estate attorney.
- There is a time limit for filing a claim based on when the probate action was started. You can check the court file in person or review the court recorded on the Wisconsin Court System website to find out the claims deadline for a particular case.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
Wisconsin Circuit Court Forms
Wisconsin Estate Recovery Program
Adoption Records Search Program
Coalition Wisconsin Again Groups (CWAG) - Guardianship Support Center
Wisconsin Register in Probate Association
Wisconsin State Historical Society - Genealogy
Wisconsin State Law Library