Register in Probate

at  Portage County

Do you have prior legal experience working in a law office and/or court system? Are you seeking a change? The Portage County Circuit Court team is hiring a full-time Register in Probate!
Compensation range: $57,989 - $70,047 / yr

What are the primary job responsibilities?

• Advises the public, clerical staff and attorneys in the preparation of documents required for probate proceedings, guardianships, mental and alcohol commitments, trusts, conservatorships, adoptions, termination of parental rights and a wide range of other legal matters; processes and indexes related legal documents.
• Prepares for and conducts informal probate hearings; attends formal probate court and Watts review proceedings and records minutes.
• Collects fees prescribed in Section 814.66.
• Establishes office procedures and policies.
• Sets guidelines and dates for Personal Representatives to follow in informal proceedings.
• Makes decisions regarding the admission of wills and appointments of Personal Representatives.
• Performs case management procedures to ensure that cases move through the system in a timely manner; issues orders for hearing in delinquent matters.
• Enters court documents on the court record and in a designated computer file for probate and guardianship matters; sets up and maintains related files.
• Audits guardian and conservator annual accounts for appropriateness of expenditures, correctness of form, and to verify assets.
• Supervises the Senior Deputy Register in Probate and Deputy Register in Probate.
• Assists Circuit Court Judges in supervision of Judicial Assistants and is responsible for approval of Judicial Assistants payroll.
• Schedules hearings, appoints adversary counsel, guardians ad litem and physicians for court evaluations.
• Performs all work independently with minimal direction from circuit court Judges.

What are the minimum qualifications?

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Associate Degree in Legal, Business, Public Administration or related field highly preferred.
• Five years of legal experience in a law office or court system which includes probate related work. Work with juvenile and guardianship law highly preferred.
• Experience clerking in court preferred.
• Any combination of education and/or experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.

Portage County offers an AWESOME benefit package for permanent employees working at least 20 hours/week, which includes the following;

• Vacation - available on day one!
• Health insurance- your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with a High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution or a PPO Co-pay plan)
• Health insurance starting at $19.15 a paycheck!
• Wellness incentive plan offered with health insurance enrollment! Earn up to $600 per year!
• Flexible spending account
• Dental insurance
• State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan - County contribution of 6.90%!
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Life insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
• Long term disability insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
• EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) - paid by the County
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employe

• Advises the public, clerical staff and attorneys in the preparation of documents required for probate proceedings, guardianships, mental and alcohol commitments, trusts, conservatorships, adoptions, termination of parental rights and a wide range of other legal matters; processes and indexes related legal documents.
• Prepares for and conducts informal probate hearings; attends formal probate court and Watts review proceedings and records minutes.
• Collects fees prescribed in Section 814.66.
• Establishes office procedures and policies.
• Sets guidelines and dates for Personal Representatives to follow in informal proceedings.
• Makes decisions regarding the admission of wills and appointments of Personal Representatives.
• Performs case management procedures to ensure that cases move through the system in a timely manner; issues orders for hearing in delinquent matters.
• Enters court documents on the court record and in a designated computer file for probate and guardianship matters; sets up and maintains related files.
• Audits guardian and conservator annual accounts for appropriateness of expenditures, correctness of form, and to verify assets.
• Supervises the Senior Deputy Register in Probate and Deputy Register in Probate.
• Assists Circuit Court Judges in supervision of Judicial Assistants and is responsible for approval of Judicial Assistants payroll.
• Schedules hearings, appoints adversary counsel, guardians ad litem and physicians for court evaluations.
• Performs all work independently with minimal direction from circuit court Judges