Proving Parentage for Inheritance in Indiana
How to Establish Parentage for an Inheritance Claim in Indiana Short answer: Even when a father’s name is not on a birth certificate, Indiana law allows a person to prove parentage for inheritance. Common paths include voluntary acknowledgment, a court paternity proceeding (which can use DNA), or a court order to amend the birth record. […]
Read article →Indiana: How to Protect an Inheritance When a Family Member Contests an Estate
Protecting an Inheritance in Indiana When a Family Member Contests the Estate Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For specific legal guidance about your situation, consult a licensed Indiana probate attorney. Detailed Answer — What to do if someone contests an inheritance under Indiana law When a […]
Read article →Becoming Administrator of Your Sister’s Estate in Indiana
Detailed answer — what you must do to be appointed administrator of an intestate estate in Indiana If your sister died without a will (intestate) and you want to be appointed to manage her estate, you must ask the probate court in the county where she lived to appoint you as the personal representative (often […]
Read article →Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in Indiana: What Notices to Send
How to Notify Heirs When Opening Probate in Indiana Disclaimer: This is educational information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. Consult an Indiana probate attorney or the probate clerk for advice specific to your situation. Detailed Answer — what notices you typically must send When you start a […]
Read article →Finalizing Probate and Getting Authority to Sell Property in Indiana
Short answer If the decedent’s will is outdated (for example, it refers to property that was sold or fails to name current assets or heirs), you can still complete probate in Indiana—but you must follow the probate steps: admit the will, have the court appoint a personal representative (also called an executor or administrator), gather […]
Read article →Selling a Deceased Parent’s Home with a Reverse Mortgage in Indiana
Selling a Deceased Parent’s Home with a Reverse Mortgage in Indiana Short answer: When the reverse mortgage servicer asks for "renunciation" letters, they’re trying to clear title and confirm who has authority to act. In Indiana you generally must produce documentation that shows who can sell the property (death certificate plus letters testamentary/administration, a valid […]
Read article →Indiana: Steps When a Relative Refuses to Sign a Renunciation So You Can Serve as Personal Representative
How to proceed when a potential personal representative won’t sign a renunciation (Indiana) Detailed answer — what you can do under Indiana probate law Under Indiana law, a court appoints a personal representative (executor/administrator) for a decedent’s estate according to statutory priority and the court’s determination of who is qualified and willing to serve. If […]
Read article →How to Include an Out‑of‑State House in Your Indiana Will
Detailed answer — how to leave real estate located in another state when you live in Indiana This section explains, in plain language, the practical and legal steps to make sure real property you own outside Indiana is distributed the way you want after you die. It covers how Indiana treats wills and the extra […]
Read article →How to Determine Who Owns Part of Your Grandfather's Land in Indiana
First Step to Confirm Legal Ownership of a Portion of Your Grandfather’s Land in Indiana When you need to determine who legally owns a portion of land that belonged to your grandfather, the first and most effective step under Indiana law is to trace the chain of title using public records. Start by locating and […]
Read article →Indiana — What Happens to Jointly Held Bank Accounts and Property When Someone Dies Without a Will
How Indiana law treats jointly held bank accounts and property when someone dies without a will Short answer: In Indiana, how an asset passes at death usually depends on how it is titled. Joint accounts or property that carry a clear right of survivorship usually pass automatically to the surviving owner outside probate. Assets titled […]
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