Legal Q&A: Revised Transfer by Affidavit Form Changed, But Not the Law

Q: Is There a Revised Transfer by Affidavit Form?

A: Yes. 

The transfer by affidavit form for estates of $50,000 or less is no longer maintained by the Wisconsin Court System’s Records Management Committee. The form is now maintained, for free, by the State Bar of Wisconsin Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (Bar).

While the format of the form has changed, its purpose, function, and governing law under Wis. Stat. 867.03 has not changed. As such, financial institutions may want to review the new form to become familiar with it, but the law has not changed.

One format change that WBA was made aware of was how the affiant completes the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) section. On the prior form, the affiant indicated that if they “did not know” whether the decedent received aid, that they had submit notice to DHS. It is unclear on the new form whether such notice is required. However, WBA has heard from the Bar that it was not their intent to change the form in this way or any other.  

The new form and its instructions can be found through the links below. 

Form: https://www.wisbar.org/forPublic/INeedInformation/Documents/Transfer%20by%20Affidavit.PDF 

Instructions: https://www.wisbar.org/forPublic/INeedInformation/Documents/Transfer%20by%20Affidavit%20Instructions.pdf 

Birrenkott is WBA assistant director – legal. For legal questions, please email wbalegal@wisbank.com.

Note: The above information is not intended to provide legal advice; rather, it is intended to provide general information about banking issues. Consult your institution’s attorney for special legal advice or assistance.

By, Ally Bates