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.
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.)
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.
FIRST PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE  
SECOND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE  
THIRD PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE  
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.
FIRST GUARDIAN  
SECOND GUARDIAN  
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.
 
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:  
853.55 HistoryHistory: 1983 a. 376; 1997 a. 188.
853.56853.56Wisconsin basic will with trust. 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.]
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.
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.)
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.
FIRST PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE  
SECOND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE  
THIRD PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE  
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.
FIRST TRUSTEE  
SECOND TRUSTEE  
THIRD TRUSTEE  
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.
FIRST GUARDIAN  
SECOND GUARDIAN  
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:  
853.56 HistoryHistory: 1983 a. 376; 1993 a. 304; 1997 a. 188.
853.57853.57Personal, recreational and household items. The following is the full text of paragraph 2.1 of the Wisconsin basic will and the basic will with trust:
If my spouse survives me, I give my spouse all my books, jewelry, clothing, personal automobiles, recreational equipment, household furnishings and effects, and other tangible articles of a household, recreational or personal use, together with all policies of insurance insuring any such items. If my spouse does not survive me, the personal representative shall distribute those items among my children who survive me, and shall distribute those items in as nearly equal shares as feasible in the personal representative’s discretion. If none of my children survive me, the items described in this paragraph shall become part of the residuary estate.
853.57 HistoryHistory: 1983 a. 376.
853.58853.58Residuary estate; basic will. The following is the full text of the property disposition clauses referred to in paragraph 2.3 of the Wisconsin basic will:
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2021-22 Wisconsin Statutes updated through 2023 Wis. Act 272 and through all Supreme Court and Controlled Substances Board Orders filed before and in effect on October 4, 2024. Published and certified under s. 35.18. Changes effective after October 4, 2024, are designated by NOTES. (Published 10-4-24)