2017 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 856. Opening estates.
856.11 Notice of hearing on petition for administration.
856.11 Notice of hearing on petition for administration. When a petition for administration is filed, the court shall set a time for proving the will, if any, for determination of heirship and for the appointment of a personal representative. Notice of hearing on the petition shall be given as provided in s. 879.03 with the additional requirement that when any person interested is represented by a guardian ad litem, notice shall be given to both the person interested and the person's guardian ad litem. A copy of the will which is being presented for proof shall be sent to all persons interested, except those whose only interest is as a beneficiary of a monetary bequest or a bequest or devise of specific property. To those persons a notice of the nature and amount of the devise or bequest shall be sent.
Cross-reference: See s. 863.23 which provides for determination of heirship and proof of heirship.
When the heirs at law had not been heard from for 30 to 40 years, published notice of hearing on proof of the will was legal notice to the heirs under s. 856.11. In re Estate of Phillips, 92 Wis. 2d 354, 284 N.W.2d 908 (1979).
In probate actions, as in civil cases generally, the burden is on the petitioner to move the case forward. Theis v. Short, 2010 WI App 108, 328 Wis. 2d 162, 789 N.W.2d 585, 09-1591.
