Krause Law Offices LLC
144 Hickory Court
Oregon, Wisconsin 53575
Phone: (608) 268-5751
Fax: (866) 366-4091
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I practice in estate planning, probate and real estate.  Over the last decade, I have been honing my skills in these narrow areas of law so I can give my clients the best representation.  

Estate Planning

My estate planning clients are treated with individual attention to their specific financial needs and family situations.  I am known for making house calls for my clients who desire it.  When the comfort of home is a better place to meet because of disability or family concerns, or when a client is in the hospital, I gladly meet my clients where they are.  

I make sure that my clients’ trusts are properly funded once they are created.  Many estate planners will draft trusts for clients, but then do not fund the trusts.  One low flat fee covers the creation of estate plans and also this service for my clients.

My estate planning services range from a simple will and power of attorney to complex plans including Family LLCs, and multiple trusts.  I create custom revocable trusts, living trusts, irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, special needs trusts, and other specialized trusts.  An estate planning package from Krause Law Offices LLC also includes a Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney and marital property agreements when necessary.

I also help non-traditional couples plan their estates.  With a properly executed estate planning package including a power of attorney, power of attorney for health care, reciprocal or joint trusts and/or wills, non-traditional couples can preserve their estates for their loved ones.

Probate and Trust Administration

It is always a difficult time when a loved one dies.  I help families to tie up the loose financial ends so they can move on with their lives.  When probate is necessary, it can usually be accomplished without a lot of trouble or hassle if the right attorney is engaged.  The same goes for trust administration if the decedent had a trust.

In Wisconsin, when a person dies with over $50,000.00 in probatable assets (property held in their name with no contractual beneficiary), there must be a probate to transfer the assets to the heirs.  Many probates are simple and involve straight-forward inventories and transfers.

I also handle the difficult probate or trust cases that sometimes come up.  These cases involve disputes between heirs, questions about the authenticity of wills, or allegations of wrongdoing on the part of the trustee or personal representative (executor).  For these cases, an attorney must have courtroom experience and knowledge of law and procedure.  I have been involved in hundreds of court cases, and appear regularly in court in probate and trust cases throughout Wisconsin.  In a difficult probate or trust case, my clients are always well represented.

Real Estate

The purchase or sale of a home is one of the most complicated transactions we make in life.  I stand with my clients throughout the negotiations and at the closing to ensure they get the best representation possible.  

Clients who are represented by a real estate agent should also engage an attorney to be sure the transaction does not hold any potential pitfalls.  Real estate agents are interested in making the sale go through because that is how they get commissions.  I look out for my clients in these situations and give them the straight story about possible hazards or contingencies they should consider.  My fees do not depend on the sale, so I am not biased except that I want my clients to make the best decisions possible.

I also help clients who are buying or selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO).  I help clients write and review offers and counteroffers.  I advise when it may be good to accept or reject certain contingencies, and I draft closing documents and host closing ceremonies.  The FSBO market is strong in the Madison area, and throughout Wisconsin.  For our clients who choose to go FSBO we make sure the transaction is done correctly.

Some clients are not interested in buying or selling their real estate, but want to protect it with an LLC.  I can also help with that process.

I also transfer many pieces of real estate to my clients’ children or family members when there is no sale involved.  I also transfer real estate to trusts or existing LLCs or businesses.

Army JAG Corps

Besides my full-time estate planning practice, I am also a part-time Army lawyer.  As a JAG attorney in the Army Reserves, I have the opportunity to help hundreds of soldiers and their families with wills, powers of attorney and health care documents before they go overseas for our country.  I am proud to be a member of our armed forces, and proud to help the families of the men and women who give so much.