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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

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Probate in Indiana

What Indiana’s own law and courts say about probate, from how an estate comes before the court to when creditors must claim. Nothing on this page decides whether a particular estate needs probate. That question belongs to the court, or to an attorney in Indiana.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

What the code means by the court, and the county where probate is opened

means the court having probate jurisdiction.

(a) The venue for the probate of a will and for the administration of an estate shall be: (1) In the county in this state where the decedent had his domicile at the time of his death.

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-1-3(4); IC 29-1-7-1(a)

What a petition for probate must state, including the attorney it names

A petition for the probate of a will and for the issuance of letters testamentary or for the appointment of an administrator with the will annexed, or for the appointment of an administrator, shall state:

(8) the name and business address of the attorney who is to represent the personal representative

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-7-5(8)

The time limit for presenting a will, and the earlier deadlines for a petition and letters

(g) Except as provided in subsection (h), the will of the decedent shall not be admitted to probate unless the will is presented for probate before the latest of the following dates: (1) Three (3) years after the individual's death.

unless a petition for administration is filed in court under section 5 of this chapter not later than five (5) months after the decedent's death and the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration not later than seven (7) months after the decedent's death.

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-7-15.1(g), (b)

When creditors must file their claims, and the outer limit after a death

unless filed with the court in which such estate is being administered within: (1) three (3) months after the date of the first published notice to creditors

(d) All claims barrable under subsection (a) shall be barred if not filed within nine (9) months after the death of the decedent.

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-14-1(a), (d)

What the person holding the will may do, when they must deliver it, and the contempt for refusing

(a) After the death of a person, the person having custody of the decedent's will: (1) may; or (2) shall, upon written demand by the personal representative or upon court order; deliver the will to the court which has jurisdiction of the administration of the decedent's estate.

he shall be guilty of contempt of court

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-7-3(a), (c)

Depositing a will with the circuit court clerk: the county, the fee, and the receipt

(d) A person may deposit a will with the circuit court clerk of the county in which the testator resided when the testator executed the will.

the circuit court clerk shall collect a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) for the deposit of the will.

(1) provide the depositor with a receipt for the will;

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-7-3.1(d), (f)

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

means the court having probate jurisdiction.

(a) The venue for the probate of a will and for the administration of an estate shall be: (1) In the county in this state where the decedent had his domicile at the time of his death.

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-1-3(4); IC 29-1-7-1(a)

A petition for the probate of a will and for the issuance of letters testamentary or for the appointment of an administrator with the will annexed, or for the appointment of an administrator, shall state:

(8) the name and business address of the attorney who is to represent the personal representative

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-7-5(8)

(g) Except as provided in subsection (h), the will of the decedent shall not be admitted to probate unless the will is presented for probate before the latest of the following dates: (1) Three (3) years after the individual's death.

unless a petition for administration is filed in court under section 5 of this chapter not later than five (5) months after the decedent's death and the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration not later than seven (7) months after the decedent's death.

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-7-15.1(g), (b)

unless filed with the court in which such estate is being administered within: (1) three (3) months after the date of the first published notice to creditors

(d) All claims barrable under subsection (a) shall be barred if not filed within nine (9) months after the death of the decedent.

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-14-1(a), (d)

(a) After the death of a person, the person having custody of the decedent's will: (1) may; or (2) shall, upon written demand by the personal representative or upon court order; deliver the will to the court which has jurisdiction of the administration of the decedent's estate.

he shall be guilty of contempt of court

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-7-3(a), (c)

(d) A person may deposit a will with the circuit court clerk of the county in which the testator resided when the testator executed the will.

the circuit court clerk shall collect a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) for the deposit of the will.

(1) provide the depositor with a receipt for the will;

Indiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · IC 29-1-7-3.1(d), (f)

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

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