Proving a Zero Balance and Closing a Spouse’s Estate in Indiana
How to Prove a Zero Balance and Close a Spouse’s Estate in Indiana — FAQ Disclaimer: This is educational information only and not legal advice. Laws change and each case is unique. Contact an attorney or the probate court for guidance about your situation. Hypothetical scenario Imagine you are the surviving spouse and the personal […]
Read article →Using a Small Estate Affidavit in Indiana: Can You Avoid Formal Probate?
Can you use a small estate affidavit in Indiana for an intestate estate instead of formal probate? Short answer: Under Indiana law, you may be able to use a small‑estate affidavit (a simplified claim or collection affidavit) to collect certain personal property of someone who died intestate, but this procedure is limited in scope. It […]
Read article →Opening Probate in Indiana for an Out-of-State Sibling's Estate: Step-by-Step FAQ
Detailed Answer If your sibling died owning assets in Indiana and you live in another state, you can still open probate in Indiana. The court that handles probate is generally the probate court (or the circuit/superior court acting as probate court) in the county where the decedent was domiciled when they died. Indiana’s probate rules […]
Read article →How to Settle an Indiana Estate and Handle Property Located in Another State (Indiana Guide)
Detailed Answer This guide explains, under Indiana law, the typical steps someone takes to administer a decedent’s estate here and to handle decedent-owned property that sits in another state. It assumes you start with no legal knowledge. This is educational information only and not legal advice. 1. Identify the basic facts and documents Locate the […]
Read article →Indiana: How to File and Record a New Deed After a Spouse Dies so Your Child Becomes Owner
Disclaimer: This is educational information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and facts matter. Consult an Indiana probate or real estate attorney for advice specific to your situation. Detailed Answer — Step‑by‑step: transferring title after a spouse dies under Indiana law If your spouse owned real estate and you want your child to […]
Read article →Indiana: Ensuring a Wrongful-Death Settlement Is Filed and Split Correctly
How to make sure a wrongful-death settlement is filed and split correctly in Indiana Quick summary: In Indiana, wrongful-death claims are governed by state statute and are normally prosecuted and resolved by a decedent’s personal representative on behalf of the beneficiaries. To ensure a settlement is filed properly with the court and distributed exactly as […]
Read article →Indiana — Can a Co‑Heir Be Required to Reimburse an Appraisal Before an Estate Buyout?
Detailed Answer Short answer: usually not automatically. Whether a co‑heir must reimburse you for an appraisal done before an estate buyout under Indiana law depends on who ordered the appraisal, whether the appraisal was an estate administration expense, whether the co‑heir agreed in writing to share the cost, and whether a judge later allocates the […]
Read article →Indiana — Do You Need a Transfer-on-Death Deed or Payable-on-Death Designation if Your Will Leaves Everything to Your Daughter?
Detailed answer — How wills, transfer-on-death deeds, and payable-on-death designations interact under Indiana law Short answer: Possibly — a will alone does not always accomplish an automatic, out-of-probate transfer of every asset. In Indiana, many common assets pass outside the will by operation of title or beneficiary designation (and other assets require probate to transfer). […]
Read article →How to Put a Deceased Parent's House into Heirs' Names in Indiana
What to do when a parent dies without a will and you need the house put in the heirs’ names (Indiana) Short answer: If your parent died intestate (without a will) in Indiana, the house does not automatically transfer to you and your siblings. You usually must open a probate case (or use an available […]
Read article →How to Take Over a Deceased Parent’s Mortgage in Indiana: Steps, Probate & Lender Options
How to take over a deceased parent’s mortgage in Indiana: a clear, practical FAQ Quick answer: In Indiana, taking over your father’s mortgage after his death usually requires two separate things: (1) getting legal title to the home (either by surviving joint ownership, a deed transfer through probate or other transfer method), and (2) dealing […]
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