This is a question we often hear in a divorce action. Inherited and gifted monies are exempt from division in a divorce in Wisconsin. If you have kept these funds separate, in your own name, there is a high probability that you will be able to keep any gifts or inheritances in a divorce. Sometimes, the court can divide these funds in unusual circumstances for “equitable reasons” but that is a fairly rare occurrence.
However, disputes arise when inherited or gifted funds have been “co-mingled” into a marital asset. For example, if the funds were deposited into a joint account or were used to purchase a marital home. In these situations, the nature of the funds have been transmuted into a marital asset. Often, the individual receiving the inheritance or gift wants those funds back at the time of the divorce. The current state of the law on this topic is that there must be “donative intent” on the part of the spouse who received the inheritance. In other words, is there sufficient evidence that the spouse intended to give his or her inheritance to the marriage or to the other spouse?
This inquiry is very fact specific. The court would look at the details of the marriage and the actions of both parties to make this determination. In reality, however, family court is a court of equity and strives to arrive at a result that is fair and equitable to both parties. Depending on when the inheritance was received and where the funds were spent or deposited, the court will sometimes give credit for co-mingled inherited or gifted funds.
For further details, please see our website at Nelson, Krueger & Millenbach, LLC or contact us for a free initial office consultation.
–Teri M Nelson
Wisconsin Family Law Info 
land inherited buy spouse during marriage Is the income earned by rent of the farm land a marital asset and therefore asset that would be split
It really depends on all of the facts. You would have to have the situation reviewed by an experienced divorce attorney. Good luck!
Mother divides farm land in 3 children’s name before death, if one of them divorce are the spouses entitled to the inheritance?
As long as the spouse’s name is not on the deed and there is evidence of the gift or inheritance, that asset is exempt from division in a divorce. All gifted and inherited assets are excluded from division. To be sure, you should consult with an attorney.
I equally helped with the care of the property and care of both my in laws and a brother in law who was handicapped. 90 to 95% of the my wife spent helping so did I the ramaining time I spent watching our kids whiles she was helping with more personal matters with her mom and dad. I helped around the farm, I drove them and escorted them to the health club and doctors appointments. I tube feed her mother and helped with what ever needed to be done for 15 years. 5 of those years I took care of the 3 acre lawn and snow removal of the farm with no pay after that I was paid. I believe any inheritance she receives from this should be our families. My wife’s
mine and two kids. I have spent countless hours helping and being there for my wife and her family. Do I have any rights to the inheritance.
The statutes say that there is a presumption that inherited assets are exempt. However, the court can deviate from that presumption if it believes it would be equitable to do so. You certainly have an argument in that direction but what the judge would do, I don’t know. However, it sounds as if you have two issues. First, there is no inheritance yet, correct? From your post, it seems as if that has not occurred yet. Therefore, there is nothing to divide in a divorce. The court cannot make prospective orders because that asset doesn’t exist and may never exist. Long term care or health care costs can quickly exhaust an estate. Second, there is no divorce yet. Now, if you wait for those two things to occur (file for divorce after your wife receives an inheritance), then you have an argument to make. However, until those two things both occur, you have no legal remedy. If your Wife eventually does receive an inheritance and she agrees to give you some or put them into a joint account or joint asset, then you have even a better argument to have those assets be divisible in a future divorce.
my future x-wife inherited cash from assets and cash from her dads estate and they have been in three different joint money market accounts in both of 0ur names used to buy personal and stuff for the house, and she also inherited a large sum of stock the one stock she has been receiving quarterly dividend checks that go into a joint checking account this has been happening for 7 years is any of this subject to the Wisconsin 50/50 split also when she inherited the money and stocks it was a year after the death so there was capital gain taxes to pay. and every year I pay the taxes on the dividends she receives that go into the joint checking account does this give me any right to any of this inheritence
Whether inherited funds are marital, to be split, or whether they are excluded is an extremely complicated question and relies on a variety of factors. In addition, certain judges will look at this issue in different ways. Therefore, there is no way I can answer such a question in this forum. I strongly advise you to seek the advice of an experienced divorce attorney. Most attorneys offer free consultation.