The Register in Probate coordinates probate and juvenile court responsibilities pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes and also serves as Probate Registrar. The incumbent manages all probate, trusts, mental commitments and guardianships. The position also is responsible for preparing and monitoring the Circuit Court budget, accounting, and Probate records maintenance. The Register in Probate must be able to identify and analyze complex issues and problems in Probate proceedings and recommends solutions. This position maintains excellent interpersonal relations with the Judges, Court Commissioners, co-workers as well as other departments, outside attorneys and the general public.
First review of applications will be on May 13, 2026.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Administers informal probate files: ensures compliance with all statutory requirements; reviews documentation to assure compliance and completeness; determines necessity of bond; appoints guardian ad litem, if necessary; admits wills; prepares for and conducts informal probate hearings; executes statement of informal administration and grants domiciliary letters
Manages and monitors all other probate case types: Formal, Special Administration, Summary Settlement, Summary Assignment, and Ancillary Probate; reviews documents for accuracy; monitors files for compliance with case processing, probate benchmark and model record keeping standards per local/state/statutory guidelines and schedules hearings if timelines are not met
Oversees the examination of guardianship, trust and conservatorship financial accounts to assure statutory compliance and if necessary, schedules "order to show cause" hearings
Trains new guardians in their statutory duties and monitors their compliance
Performs the duties and responsibilities as authorized in WI Statutes 851.72, 851.73, 865.065, and 48.04
Prepares, submits and monitors the operating budgets and the allocation of monies for the:Judge's and Register in Probate. Reviews bills for payment, prepares monthly vouchers for accounts payables and monitors accounts receivables in consultation with Circuit Judge.
Reviews and prepares receipts for filing fees and various program invoices. Prepares monthly probate fee reports and deposits monies collected with the Clerk of Court and County Treasurer
Orients new office staff regarding office procedures and policies
Updates co-workers on new probate laws, policies and procedures
Makes discretionary and independent decisions as an officer of the Court
Serves as probate record custodian, coordinating retention and destruction of probate records in compliance with Supreme Court rules and Wisconsin statutes
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of statutory, procedural and form changes for all probate cases filed in the office of the Register in Probate
Provides paralegal and administrative support to the Circuit Judge; drafts orders, correspondence and memoranda
Serves as a member of the Courthouse Security Committee
Prepares, drafts, and adopts policies; evaluates policies and revises as necessary pursuant to probate statute and court procedural changes
Serves as a Notary Public
Provides overall management of the Judge's Office in the absence of the Circuit Court Judge
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Associate's Degree - Paralegal or business administration degree with legal coursework; Bachelor's Degree preferred
Minimum of two (2) years' experience in the legal field which includes extensive probate and supervisory experience
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM JOB
Knowledge of court procedures, case management, pertinent laws, regulations, statutory time limits and procedures, office practices and procedures, terminology and equipment; basic bookkeeping and record keeping methods
Knowledge of legal terminology and the ability to locate, interpret and apply Wisconsin State Statutes
Ability to learn the application and use of 100+ court forms, as well as keeping current on additions, deletions, and changes to these forms
Knowledge of accounting principles and maintenance of accurate financial records for the assessing and collection of forfeitures and court-ordered fees, distribution of monies, as well as the filing of judgments and tax intercepts for the collection of delinquent fees
Ability to work with complete confidentiality and to work independently; to take initiative in making decisions, assessing situations and problem solving
Ability to deal pleasantly and tactfully with attorneys, public and co-workers and office staff
Possess excellent writing, listening, and communication skills, as there is extensive interaction with not only co-workers, but the general public, juveniles, parents, school administration, law enforcement, and attorneys
Ability to use a personal computer and its software applications, including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Possess excellent time management and organizational skills
Ability to read and interpret documents, and laws in the English language
Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas in spoken and written format so individuals may effectively understand and convey communications
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
Inductive and deductive reasoning – ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions; includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together and deciding if an answer makes sense
