Wisconsin Statutes 853.56 – Wisconsin basic will with trust
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The following is the form for the Wisconsin basic will with trust:
NOTICE TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNS THIS WILL:
1. THIS FORM CONTAINS A TRUST FOR YOUR FAMILY. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO CREATE A TRUST, DO NOT USE THIS FORM.
2. 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.
3. THIS WILL IS NOT DESIGNED TO REDUCE TAXES. YOU SHOULD DISCUSS THE TAX RESULTS OF YOUR DECISIONS WITH A COMPETENT TAX ADVISER.
4. 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.
5. YOU CANNOT CHANGE, DELETE OR ADD WORDS TO THE FACE OF THIS WISCONSIN BASIC WILL WITH TRUST. YOU MAY REVOKE THIS WISCONSIN BASIC WILL WITH TRUST, AND YOU MAY CHANGE IT BY SIGNING A NEW WILL.
6. THE FULL TEXT OF THIS WISCONSIN BASIC WILL WITH TRUST, 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).
7. 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.
8. YOU SHOULD KEEP THIS WILL IN YOUR SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX OR OTHER SAFE PLACE.
9. THIS WILL TREATS ADOPTED CHILDREN AS IF THEY ARE BIRTH CHILDREN.
10. IF YOU MARRY OR DIVORCE AFTER YOU SIGN THIS WILL, YOU SHOULD MAKE AND SIGN A NEW WILL.
11. IF THIS WISCONSIN BASIC WILL WITH TRUST DOES NOT FIT YOUR NEEDS, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSULT WITH A LAWYER.
[A printed form for a Wisconsin basic will with trust shall
set forth the above notice in 10-point boldface type.]
set forth the above notice in 10-point boldface type.]
WISCONSIN BASIC WILL WITH TRUST 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. – See PDF for table 
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 LINES. If I sign on more than one line or if I fail to sign on any line, the property will be distributed as if I did not make a will in accordance with Chapter 852 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
IF YOU HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL ESTATE, CHOOSING CLAUSE (a) OR (b) MIGHT NOT BE THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TAX OPTION AVAILABLE TO YOU. If you have questions concerning the tax implications of these clauses, you should consult a competent tax adviser.
PROPERTY DISPOSITION CLAUSES (Select one.) – See PDF for table
Article 3. Nominations of Personal Representative, Trustee 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.
3.2. TRUSTEE. (Name at least one.)
Because it is possible that after I die my property may be put into a trust, I nominate the person or institution named in the first box of this paragraph to serve as trustee of that trust. 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.
3.3. 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 me or 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.
3.4. BOND.
My signature in this box means I request that a bond, as set by law, be required for each individual personal representative, trustee 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.
I sign my name to this Wisconsin Basic Will With Trust 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:
Terms Used In Wisconsin Statutes 853.56
- Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
- Charity: An agency, institution, or organization in existence and operating for the benefit of an indefinite number of persons and conducted for educational, religious, scientific, medical, or other beneficent purposes.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Following: when used by way of reference to any statute section, means the section next following that in which the reference is made. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Joint tenancy: A form of property ownership in which two or more parties hold an undivided interest in the same property that was conveyed under the same instrument at the same time. A joint tenant can sell his (her) interest but not dispose of it by will. Upon the death of a joint tenant, his (her) undivided interest is distributed among the surviving joint tenants.
- Person: includes all partnerships, associations and bodies politic or corporate. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Personal representative: means a person, however denominated, who is authorized to administer a decedent's estate. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Probate: Proving a will
- Property: includes real and personal property. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Testator: A male person who leaves a will at death.
- Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.