Representation by fiduciaries, parents, or a person appointed by a trustee

Wis. Stat. § 701.0303
in effect
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Except as provided in s. 701.0411, to the extent there is no conflict of interest between a representative and the person represented or among those being represented with respect to a particular question or dispute, all of the following apply: (1) A conservator may represent and bind the estate that the conservator controls. (2) Notwithstanding ss. 54.20 (2) and 54.25 (2), a guardian of the estate may represent and bind the ward and a guardian of the person may represent and bind the ward if a guardian of the estate of the ward has not been appointed. (3) An agent having authority to act with respect to the particular question or dispute may represent and bind the principal. (4) A trustee may represent and bind the beneficiaries of the trust. (5) A personal representative of a decedent’s estate may represent and bind a person interested in the estate. (6) A parent may represent and bind the parent’s minor or unborn child, such child’s minor and unborn issue, and the minor and unborn issue of a then deceased child. If a disagreement arises between parents seeking to represent the same individual, representation is determined as follows: (a) If only one parent is a beneficiary of the trust that is the subject of the representation, that parent may represent and bind the minor or unborn child, such child’s minor and unborn issue, and the minor and unborn issue of a then deceased child. (b) If both parents are beneficiaries of the trust that is the subject of the representation, the parent who is related to the settlor, other than by reason of being married to the other parent, may represent and bind the minor or unborn child, such child’s minor and unborn issue, and the minor and unborn issue of a then deceased child. (c) Subject to s. 701.0301 (4), if neither parent is a beneficiary of the trust that is the subject of the representation, the parent who is the settlor of the trust that is the subject of the representation may represent and bind the minor or unborn child, such child’s minor and unborn issue, and the minor and unborn issue of a then deceased child. (d) If neither parent is a beneficiary or settlor of the trust that is the subject of the representation, the parent who is related to the settlor, other than by reason of being married to the other parent, may represent and bind the minor or unborn child, such child’s minor and unborn issue, and the minor and unborn issue of a then deceased child. (e) If an individual that is the subject of the representation is eligible to be represented by more than one ancestor under this subsection, the individual’s nearest ancestor may represent and bind such individual. (7) The order in which the representatives are listed in subs. (1) to (6) sets forth the priority that each such representative has relative to the others. (8) If there is no representation by a person having a substantially identical interest under s. 701.0304, the trustee may appoint a representative to act if any of the following applies: (a) There is no one permitted to act under subs. (1) to (6). (b) All of the people entitled to act under subs. (1) to (6) have declined to act. (c) The trustee determines that the otherwise available representation under subs. (1) to (6) might be inadequate.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/701.0303Fetched: 10/7/2026