2016 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
879. Probate — notice, appearance, appeal and miscellaneous procedure.
879.35 Costs in will contests.
879.35 Costs in will contests. Costs may be awarded out of the estate to an unsuccessful proponent of a will if the unsuccessful proponent is named in the will to act as personal representative and propounded the document in good faith, and to the unsuccessful contestant of a will if the unsuccessful contestant is named to act as personal representative in another document propounded by the unsuccessful contestant in good faith as the last will of the decedent.
A finding of undue influence on the part of the unsuccessful proponent disqualifies the proponent from asserting “good faith" under the statute. In re Estate of Christen, 72 Wis. 2d 8, 239 N.W.2d 528 (1976).
If the court finds good faith, the court may, but need not, award costs and attorney fees to the unsuccessful proponent of a will. Estate of Persha, 2002 WI App 113, 255 Wis. 2d 767, 649 N.W.2d 661, 01-1132.
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