Wisconsin State Law Library

Page on the Law of Wills is a well-known treatise on...the law of wills! This ten volume set covers a range of issues - from the history of wills to problems and analysis. In Lexis Digital, it's possible to read this book anytime and from any device. Just sign in with a library card!

This book set includes detailed analysis and helpful case citations, but it also has sample will clauses on a variety of topics. There are two quick ways to jump into form language research. 

1. Search all volumes

Use the search box to search the entire set - or use the Table of Contents to pinpoint a volume and then search that volume directly. This can be useful to help you identify analysis along with the sample language you need.

2. Browse the Forms Book

Volume 7 of Page on the Law of Wills is devoted to sample form language. This volume is arranged according to the chapters of the book. If you identify a chapter that analyzes the issue you are researching, jump to the mirror chapter in volume 7 to look for related forms and will clauses. 

Logging into Lexis Digital

There are a few ways you can log into Lexis Digital.

1. Look for the Lexis Digital link in our catalog - click on links in those book records to jump directly into the book on Lexis Digital. See our catalog record for Page on the law of wills.

2. Visit the library's eBooks page for a direct link to the full Lexis Digital Library. Sign in with your library card, then search or browse for the book you want to use. 

There are a number of sources for assembling an estate plan and health care plan. Here are some quick sources to get you started:

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Through the end of this week (April 25), the State Bar of Wisconsin is offering free access to their guide, A Gift to Your Family: Planning Ahead for Future Health Needs.

The UW Extension also provides free access to a guide called Family Estate Planning in Wisconsin. 

Power of Attorney

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has forms for advanced directives on their website. Both forms include an instruction page.

• Power of Attorney for Health Care (WI Dept. of Health Services)
• WI Power of Attorney for Finances & Property Form (WI Dept. of Health Services)

We link to a Power of Attorney Delegating Parental Power from the Marathon County Register in Probate. Read the statutory form language here: 

• WI Statutes: s. 48.979 "Delegation of power by parent" (Parental Power of Attorney)

For more resources, see our Power of Attorney page.

Wills 

The Wisconsin Statutes contains form language for two basic wills: the Wisconsin Basic Will and the Wisconsin Basic Will with Trust.

• Wisconsin Statute 853.55 "Wisconsin basic will"
  See a PDF version of the form
• Wisconsin Statute 853.56 "Wisconsin basic will with trust"
  See a PDF version of the form

On our Wills & Trusts page we link to a Statutory Basic Will with Trust  from the Marquette Legal Clinic. You can also order a Wisconsin Basic Will from our library. We resell the Wisconsin Basic Will printed by the Wisconsin Legal Blank company. To order from our library, follow these steps:

1. Wisconsin Basic Wills cost $15.83 with tax, or $15 for out of state orders. Wisconsin residents and non-tax-exempt businesses must pay cost plus tax.
2. Calculate the total cost of the forms you want. A single $3.00 handling fee is added to each mailed request. An order for one (1) Wisconsin Basic Will form will total $18.83.
3. Choose a payment method:
   • Check or Money Order
     • Do not send cash in the mail.
     • Mail your payment, the form name(s), and your mailing address to:
       
       Wisconsin State Law Library
       Attn: Document Delivery Service
       P.O. Box 7881
       Madison, WI 53707-7881
       
       Check or money orders are payable to Wisconsin State Law Library

Wisconsin Legal Blank also sells print and downloadable versions. Sometimes local office supply stores may also sell legal forms.

Ask Us!

Ask a librarian for help! Email us at wsll.ref@wicourts.gov or use our online contact form.