Indiana Probate Forms - Indiana Probate Forms

We offer thousands of Probate forms. Some of the forms offered are listed by area below. For others, please use our search engine.

Indiana Probate Forms FAQ Indiana Inheritance Laws

What is probate? 

When a person dies, their assets are distributed in the probate process. Probate is a general term for the entire process of administration of estates of deceased persons, including those without wills, with court supervision. If a person dies with a will, a petition to probate the will is filed with the probate court in the county where the deceased resided at the time of death, asking for letters testamentary to be issued, giving the executor authority to handle the estate affairs. If a person dies with a valid will, an executor is named to handle the distribution of the estate. If the person dies without a valid will, the court appoints an administrator to distribute the decedent's assets according to the state's laws of intestacy. The court will issue letters of administration, also called letters testamentary, to the administrator, giving the authority to handle the affairs of the deceased. An heirship affidavit may also be used to conduct estate affairs when a small estate is involved. In cases where the decedent didn't own property valued at more than a certain amount, which varies by state, the estate may go through a small estate administration process, rather than the formal probate process.

What are the duties of an executor? 

The executor's obligations are generally to: a. Safeguard the property and assets of the estate; b. Inventory (or make a list of) the property; c. Submit accounts or inventories to the court as required (these could be waived); d. Pay the debts and expenses of the deceased (such as funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses, and credit card bills); e. Pay any federal or state death taxes, if any; and f. Distribute the estate to those named in the will or, if no will exists, to your heirs as designated by statute.

How can probate be avoided? 

All property of a decedent may not be subject to the probate process. Some assets, such as insurance policies or cd’s may name a beneficiary or pass automatically to a surviving joint owner outside the probate estate of the will. Assets held in trust, or in an account or policy with an insurer or financial institution with a named beneficiary, typically pass outside the probate process. Such assets go to the named beneficiary outside the probate process. If it is a survivorship account, or transfer on death account, it passes outside the probate process. Property held in trust is distributed according to the terms of the trust. It is possible to write a "pourover" clause in a will, so that property "pours over" into the trust, which is exempted from probate. The involvement of the court to transfer such property is not required. A bank account or motor vehicle title may also specify a death beneficiary and thus be exempt from the probate process.

Tips for Preparing Indiana Probate Forms

  1. Begin probate. Before you begin preparing Indiana Probate Forms, check if you're qualified to become an estate executor. In situations where a deceased individual didn't name an executor, the legal court may assign one. To start the process, you have to submit a application for probate, a legitimate will, along with the death certificate to the court.
  2. Collect info. Obtain and review the info you have to use to submit the Indiana Probate Forms correctly, put together probate papers, and after that present them to the court. This process may entail retirement and bank accounts and stocks and shares, real estate such as a house, and personal assets as collections and other valuables.
  3. Handle obligations and taxes, and monthly bills. Be sure that the resources you dispose of can cover all debts, rents, and expenses. Otherwise, the court will put in priority claims of loan companies. Additionally, you're liable for filing an income tax return and paying taxes.
  4. Distribute belongings. When you're accomplished paying out financial obligations, you can move on to the next step. The rest of the property is divided between the beneficiaries (brothers and sisters, parents, spouse and next of kin) or by the will.
  5. Close estate. Collect receipts and records, and other probate forms during the entire process and then submit them to affirm that you settled an estate and finished the Indiana Probate Forms in accordance with state and federal demands.

What is a Small Estate Affidavit?

A small estate affidavit in Indiana is a legal document that can help simplify the process of transferring property when a person dies with limited assets. It is a way to avoid going through regular probate court proceedings, which can be time-consuming and costly. Essentially, the small estate affidavit allows the deceased person's property to be transferred directly to their heirs, without the need for a formal probate process. This can be a useful option for estates with a total value below a certain threshold, as it can save time, money, and unnecessary legal complications for the family.


What is Considered a “Small Estate”?

A "small estate" refers to a situation where a deceased person's assets and property are valued below a certain threshold. In Indiana, the value of a small estate is determined by the law and is currently set at $50,000 or less. This includes money in bank accounts, personal belongings, and any other valuable assets owned by the deceased. When someone passes away with a small estate in Indiana, the probate process may be simplified and less time-consuming, making it easier for the family to handle the estate affairs.


Small Estate Requirements by States

Small estate requirements vary by state, but in general, they refer to the rules and processes related to the distribution of assets of a deceased person's estate when the value of the estate is relatively low. These requirements are put in place to simplify and expedite the probate process for small estates. In Indiana, for example, a small estate is defined as one with assets totaling less than $50,000. If the value of the estate falls within this threshold and there are no outstanding debts, the heirs or beneficiaries may be able to avoid going through formal probate and instead use a simplified process to collect the assets. This can save time and costs for all parties involved.


How to Use a Small Estate Affidavit

A Small Estate Affidavit in Indiana is a way to handle the property of a deceased person without going through a formal probate process. To use a Small Estate Affidavit, you must be the rightful inheritor or an authorized representative of the deceased person. First, gather all relevant documents such as the death certificate, will (if applicable), and any existing trusts. Then, complete the Small Estate Affidavit form provided by the Indiana courts. This form requires you to provide information about the deceased person, their assets, and their debts. Once completed, sign the affidavit in the presence of a notary public. Finally, file the affidavit with the court and deliver copies to the appropriate financial institutions, creditors, and anyone else involved in the estate. This process allows you to distribute the deceased person's property according to their wishes or Indiana law without the need for a full probate process.


Affidavit of Heirship vs. Small Estate Affidavit

An Affidavit of Warship is a legal document that is used in Indiana to establish and certify who the rightful heirs of a deceased person's estate are. This document is typically used when there is no will in place, and it helps identify the individuals who are entitled to receive the deceased person's property. On the other hand, a Small Estate Affidavit is also a legal document used in Indiana, but it is specifically for estates with a low monetary value. This affidavit allows for a simplified probate process, making it easier and less expensive to distribute the assets of a smaller estate. Both of these affidavits serve important purposes in Indiana when it comes to estate distribution, depending on the value and complexity of the estate involved.