856.31 Selection of attorney to represent estate. Whenever a corporate fiduciary is appointed as the sole personal representative, the person or persons receiving the majority interest from the estate may within 30 days after the date of the appointment select the attorney who shall represent the personal representative in all proceedings of any kind or nature, unless good cause is shown before the court why selection should not be so made, or unless the testator's will names the attorney or firm who shall represent the personal representative. The corporate fiduciary shall notify the persons who are entitled to name the attorney of this right within 5 days after appointment. In case a person is under disability, the court appointed guardian, if any, may act for such person under this section. In the case of a minor who has no court appointed guardian, the natural guardian, if any, may act for the minor. “Interest", as used in this section, means beneficial interest whether legal or equitable.
History: 1973 c. 233; 1975 c. 331, 421.
An attorney may not solicit, either directly or indirectly, to be named, or to have a relative named, executor in a will. State v. Gulbankian, 54 Wis. 2d 605, 196 N.W.2d 733 (1972).
A will provision directing that the named attorney represent the estate was upheld. In re Estate of Devroy, 109 Wis. 2d 154, 325 N.W.2d 345 (1982).