Cost of Guardianship in Wisconsin: Filing Fees, GAL, and Total Expenses

Families asking about guardianship costs are usually trying to figure out whether they can afford to file without an attorney — or whether the total expense makes it worth exploring alternatives first. Here's what the real numbers look like in Wisconsin.

The Cost Components

Wisconsin guardianship costs come from six separate sources. Most families underestimate the total because they only think about filing fees.

1. Electronic Filing Fee The electronic filing fee is approximately $35. County and case-specific charges may also apply.

2. Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Fees The court appoints an independent attorney to represent your parent's best interests — this is mandatory in every case. GAL fees are paid from the ward's estate (your parent's assets). For uncontested cases, expect $500–$2,000. If siblings contest the guardianship or the case is complex, GAL fees can reach $3,000–$5,000 or more as investigation time and hearing preparation increase.

3. Physician or Psychologist Evaluation Form GN-3130 requires a licensed professional to examine your parent and document their incapacity. If the evaluating professional charges for this, expect $500–$1,500. Some physicians include it in the cost of an office visit. If the guardianship is contested, you'll need to subpoena the physician to testify in court — the written report alone is inadmissible hearsay.

4. Attorney Fees (If You Hire One) Not required, but common. An elder law attorney handling an uncontested guardianship filing typically charges $2,500–$4,500. Contested cases with a full hearing can run $3,000–$7,000 or more. If the court appoints adversary counsel for your parent, those fees are also paid from the ward's estate.

5. Inventory Fee Within 60 days of appointment, the guardian of the estate must file an inventory of all the ward's assets and pay a statutory fee. Under Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(b)2: $20 flat if the estate is valued at $50,000 or less, or 0.2% of net estate value for larger estates.

6. Surety Bond The court may require the guardian to post a bond protecting the ward's assets. Bond premiums typically run 1–3% of the estate value annually. For a $100,000 estate, that's $1,000–$3,000 per year.

Total Cost Ranges

These are first-year costs. Guardianship creates ongoing expenses too: annual reporting takes time (your time or an accountant's), and the surety bond premium repeats every year.

Ongoing Annual Costs

Every year after appointment:

• Annual report filing (Forms GN-3480 and GN-3500) — if you hire someone to prepare the financial accounting, expect $200–$500/year
• Surety bond renewal — same premium annually
• Guardian training updates — the initial training through UW-Green Bay is free, but some counties require refresher courses

Why the Alternative Is Worth Considering

A durable power of attorney under Chapter 244 costs essentially nothing to execute — your parent signs the form in front of a notary (about $15) and you're done. No filing fees, no GAL, no physician evaluation, no bond, no annual reporting to the court.

The catch is that a POA can only be signed while your parent still has cognitive capacity. Once that window closes, guardianship is the only remaining path. That's the math that makes the cost conversation urgent: act while a POA is still possible, or face thousands in court costs later.

Navigate the Process for Less

Our Wisconsin Power of Attorney & Guardianship Kit covers both the POA and guardianship pathways, with form-by-form checklists, a cost estimator worksheet, and a county-by-county filing guide — so you know exactly what you're facing before you commit to either route.

See more Wisconsin guides →