Wis. Stat. § 853.55

Current through Acts 2023-2024, ch. 272

Section 853.55 - Wisconsin basic will

The following is the form for the Wisconsin basic will:

NOTICE TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNS THIS WILL:

1. THIS WILL DOES NOT DISPOSE OF PROPERTY WHICH PASSES ON YOUR DEATH TO ANY PERSON BY OPERATION OF LAW OR BY ANY CONTRACT. FOR EXAMPLE, THE WILL DOES NOT DISPOSE OF JOINT TENANCY ASSETS, AND IT DOES NOT NORMALLY APPLY TO PROCEEDS OF LIFE INSURANCE ON YOUR LIFE OR YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN BENEFITS.

2. THIS WILL IS NOT DESIGNED TO REDUCE TAXES. YOU SHOULD DISCUSS THE TAX RESULTS OF YOUR DECISIONS WITH A COMPETENT TAX ADVISER.

3. THIS WILL MAY NOT WORK WELL IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN BY A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE OR IF YOU HAVE BUSINESS PROPERTY, PARTICULARLY IF THE BUSINESS IS UNINCORPORATED.

4. YOU CANNOT CHANGE, DELETE OR ADD WORDS TO THE FACE OF THIS WISCONSIN BASIC WILL. YOU MAY REVOKE THIS WISCONSIN BASIC WILL, AND YOU MAY CHANGE IT BY SIGNING A NEW WILL.

5. THE FULL TEXT OF THIS WISCONSIN BASIC WILL, THE DEFINITIONS, THE PROPERTY DISPOSITION CLAUSES AND THE MANDATORY CLAUSES FOLLOW THE END OF THIS WILL AND ARE CONTAINED IN THE PROBATE CODE OF WISCONSIN (CHAPTERS 851 TO 882 OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES).

6. THE WITNESSES TO THIS WILL SHOULD NOT BE PEOPLE WHO MAY RECEIVE PROPERTY UNDER THIS WILL. YOU SHOULD READ AND CAREFULLY FOLLOW THE WITNESSING PROCEDURE DESCRIBED AT THE END OF THIS WILL.

7. YOU SHOULD KEEP THIS WILL IN YOUR SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX OR OTHER SAFE PLACE.

8. IF YOU MARRY OR DIVORCE AFTER YOU SIGN THIS WILL, YOU SHOULD MAKE AND SIGN A NEW WILL.

9. THIS WILL TREATS ADOPTED CHILDREN AS IF THEY ARE BIRTH CHILDREN.

10. IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE, YOU MAY WISH TO USE THE WISCONSIN BASIC WILL WITH TRUST OR ANOTHER TYPE OF WILL.

11. IF THIS WISCONSIN BASIC WILL DOES NOT FIT YOUR NEEDS, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSULT WITH A LAWYER.

[A printed form for a Wisconsin basic will shall set forth the above notice in 10-point boldface type.]

WISCONSIN BASIC WILL OF

(Insert Your Name)

Article 1.Declaration

This is my will and I revoke any prior wills and codicils (additions to prior wills).

Article 2.Disposition of My Property

2.1. PERSONAL, RECREATIONAL AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. Except as provided in paragraph 2.2, I give all my furniture, furnishings, household items, recreational equipment, personal automobiles and personal effects to my spouse, if living; otherwise they shall be divided equally among my children who survive me.

2.2. GIFTS TO PERSONS OR CHARITIES. I make the following gifts to the persons or charities in the cash amount stated in words (.... Dollars) and figures ($....) or of the property described. I SIGN IN EACH BOX USED. I WRITE THE WORDS "NOT USED" IN THE REMAINING BOXES. If I fail to sign opposite any gift, then no gift is made. If the person mentioned does not survive me or if the charity does not accept the gift, then no gift is made. -

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2.3. ALL OTHER ASSETS (MY "RESIDUARY ESTATE"). I adopt only one Property Disposition Clause in this paragraph by writing my signature on the line next to the title of the Property Disposition Clause I wish to adopt. I SIGN ON ONLY ONE LINE. I WRITE THE WORDS "NOT USED" ON THE REMAINING LINE. If I sign on more than one line or if I fail to sign on any line, the property will go under Property Disposition Clause (b) and I realize that means the property will be distributed as if I did not make a will in accordance with Chapter 852 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

PROPERTY DISPOSITION CLAUSES (Select one.) -

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Article 3.Nominations of Personal Representative and Guardian

3.1. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE. (Name at least one.)

I nominate the person or institution named in the first box of this paragraph to serve as my personal representative. If that person or institution does not serve, then I nominate the others to serve in the order I list them in the other boxes. I confer upon my personal representative the authority to do and perform any act which he or she determines is in the best interest of the estate, with no limitations. This provision shall be given the broadest possible construction. This authority includes, but is not limited to, the power to borrow money, pledge assets, vote stocks and participate in reorganizations, to sell or exchange real or personal property, and to invest funds and retain securities without any limitation by law for investments by fiduciaries.

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3.2. GUARDIAN. (If you have a child under 18 years of age, you should name at least one guardian of the child.)

If my spouse dies before I do or if for any other reason a guardian is needed for any child of mine, then I nominate the person named in the first box of this paragraph to serve as guardian of the person and estate of that child. If the person does not serve, then I nominate the person named in the second box of this paragraph to serve as guardian of that child.

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3.3. BOND.

My signature in this box means I request that a bond, as set by law, be required for each individual personal representative or guardian named in this will. IF I DO NOT SIGN IN THIS BOX, I REQUEST THAT A BOND NOT BE REQUIRED FOR ANY OF THOSE PERSONS.

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I sign my name to this Wisconsin Basic Will on ....... (date), at ........ (city), ........ (state).

Signature of Testator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

STATEMENT OF WITNESSES (You must use two witnesses, who should be adults.)

I declare that the testator signed the will in front of me, acknowledged to me that this document was his or her will or acknowledged to me that the signature above is his or her signature. The testator appears to me to be of sound mind and not under undue influence.

Signature ........................................................... Residence Address: ...........................................................

Print Name Here: ........................................................... Date Signed: ...........................................................

I declare that the testator signed the will in front of me, acknowledged to me that this document was his or her will or acknowledged to me that the signature above is his or her signature. The testator appears to me to be of sound mind and not under undue influence.

Signature ........................................................... Residence Address: ...........................................................

Print Name Here: ........................................................... Date Signed: ...........................................................

Wis. Stat. § 853.55

1983 a. 376; 1997 a. 188.