🧀 How to Set Up a Trust in Wisconsin (2025 Guide)

Many Wisconsin residents are turning to trusts to protect their homes, avoid probate court, and pass on assets privately — without spending thousands on an estate attorney.

If you're thinking about creating a trust in Wisconsin, this simplified guide is for you.

🔍 What Is a Trust?

A trust is a legal tool where a person (the grantor) places their assets under the management of a trustee for the benefit of chosen beneficiaries.

In Wisconsin, the most common is the Revocable Living Trust, which:

• Avoids probate court delays

• Keeps your finances and estate private

• Lets you stay in control of your assets during your lifetime

• Automatically passes assets to loved ones upon death

• Helps with planning for incapacity

🧭 How to Set Up a Trust in Wisconsin

1. Choose the Right Trust

☑ Revocable Living Trust – most popular and flexible
Optional Add-ons:
☐ Minor’s Trust
☐ Special Needs Trust
☐ Spendthrift Provision
☐ Dynasty Clause

✅ TrustGenie includes all these features in a single package.

2. Assign the Key Roles

☐ Grantor – the person creating the trust (you)
☐ Trustee – manages the trust (usually also you)
☐ Successor Trustee – takes over if you die or become incapacitated
☐ Beneficiaries – people or causes who receive your assets

✅ TrustGenie helps you define all of these with guided prompts.

3. List and Organize Your Assets

Typical assets in Wisconsin include:
☐ Real estate (home, lake house, farmland, etc.)
☐ Bank and investment accounts
☐ Vehicles and valuable items
☐ Business interests and LLCs
☐ Crypto and online assets

✅ TrustGenie includes a “Schedule A” and General Assignment form.

4. Sign and Notarize Your Trust

Wisconsin law doesn’t require witnesses, but notarization is required to ensure legal validity.

☐ Sign the trust in front of a notary
☐ Store the original in a safe place
☐ Give a copy to your Successor Trustee

✅ TrustGenie includes signing instructions and notarization tips.

5. Fund the Trust (Most People Skip This!)

This is the most important step — your trust must own your assets to avoid probate.

☐ File a Quitclaim or Warranty Deed to move your real estate into the trust
☐ Retitle bank and investment accounts
☐ Use a General Assignment form for personal property
☐ Update beneficiary designations for retirement/life insurance (optional)

🚨 An unfunded trust will not avoid probate!

💸 How Much Does a Trust Cost in Wisconsin?

Method Cost Range Attorney$2,500 – $6,000 Online Template $100 – $300 TrustGenie$150/year (all-inclusive)

✅ TrustGenie includes Wisconsin-specific deed templates, forms, and guided help.

❓ Do You Need a Lawyer to Set Up a Trust in Wisconsin?

No. According to Wisconsin Statutes §701, any adult can create a valid trust that is:

• In writing

• Names a trustee and beneficiaries

• Signed and (preferably) notarized

• Funded with assets

✅ TrustGenie makes this process easy and legally valid.

📎 Free Download: Wisconsin Trust Checklist

Want a printable version of this process?

📥 [Download the Wisconsin Trust Checklist] (provided in plain text format)

✅ Ready to Protect Your Legacy?

Thousands of Wisconsin families use TrustGenie to:

• Avoid probate

• Maintain control over their assets

• Provide for their children and loved ones

• Save thousands in legal fees

👉 [Create Your Wisconsin Trust – $150/year]

🔗 Related Articles

• [How to Avoid Probate in Wisconsin]

• [What Happens If You Die Without a Trust in WI?]

• [Transferring Real Estate into a Wisconsin Trust]

✍️ Written by:
TrustGenie Legal Team
Helping families across the Badger State protect their estates with modern, affordable tools.