Wisconsin: official help for families
Updated Nov 3, 2026. Sources last checked Oct 18, 2026. See sources.
The official Wisconsin pages for the paperwork and problems families run into most, in one place. Every link goes to a government or official source in Wisconsin, or to a free national service when we haven’t verified a state page.
Power of attorney
The state law and any official forms for financial and health care powers of attorney. Our guide: power of attorney, explained.
Transfer on death deeds
Whether this state lets a homeowner name who gets the house without probate. Our guide: handing down the home.
Yes. Allowed. This state's law lets an owner use a transfer on death deed.
Probate and small estates
Court help or law for settling an estate, including any simpler process for small estates. Our guide: what to do after a death.
- Wisconsin Court System Self-Help: Probate Court self-help
Long-term care ombudsman
A free, official advocate for people in nursing homes and assisted living. Our guide: when a parent can’t live alone.
- Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care State long-term care ombudsman
Medicaid agency
The state agency that runs Medicaid, which can pay for long-term care for people who qualify. Our guide: paying for long-term care.
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services State Medicaid agency
Small claims court
The state’s small claims rules or court self-help. Our guide: refunds and small claims.
- Wisconsin Court System Self-Help: Small claims Court self-help
Utility regulator
The state commission that takes complaints about electric, gas, water or phone companies. See also find help near you.
- Public Service Commission of Wisconsin State agency
Free national help, anywhere in the U.S.
- Report a scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Federal Trade Commission)
- Identity theft recovery plan: IdentityTheft.gov
- Find your state attorney general: National Association of Attorneys General
- Free Medicare counseling: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
- Local help with bills, food and housing: 211
- Free civil legal aid: Legal Services Corporation
- Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116
General information, not legal advice. Laws change. Before you sign or file anything, check the official page above or talk with a lawyer or free legal aid.
Sources
Last checked Oct 18, 2026 (transfer on death deed and utility links checked Oct 20, 2026).
- Wisconsin Statutes ch. 244: Uniform Power of Attorney for Finances and Property: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/244
- Wisconsin Statutes 705.15: Nonprobate transfer of real property on death: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/705/II/15
- Wisconsin Court System Self-Help: Probate: https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/probate.htm
- Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care: https://longtermcare.wi.gov/
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/
- Wisconsin Court System Self-Help: Small claims: https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/smallclaims.htm
- Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
- Report a scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Federal Trade Commission): https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- Identity theft recovery plan: IdentityTheft.gov: https://www.identitytheft.gov/
- Find your state attorney general: National Association of Attorneys General: https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/
- Free Medicare counseling: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): https://www.shiphelp.org/
- Local help with bills, food and housing: 211: https://www.211.org/
- Free civil legal aid: Legal Services Corporation: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help
- Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116: https://eldercare.acl.gov/
Rules and numbers change. If something here does not match what an agency tells you, trust the agency, and please let us know.