Wis. Stat. § 859.03

If an action is pending against a decedent at the time of his or her death and the action survives, the plaintiff in that action may serve a notice of substitution of party defendant on the personal representative and file proof of service of notice in the court. Filing of proof of service on or before the deadline for filing a claim under s. 859.01 gives the plaintiff the same rights against the estate as the filing of a claim. A judgment in any such action constitutes an adjudication for or against the estate.