Columbus firm serving Bartholomew County and south-central Indiana, started in 1985. Estate and trust administration work covers probate and trust administration, intestate estates where no will can be found, and litigation over the administration of an estate. Jeff Rocker expanded the firm's estate planning practice after joining in 2005.
Columbus is in Bartholomew County.
Probate in Bartholomew County
Probate Court Record
Bartholomew County Circuit and Superior Courts
Bartholomew County · Judicial District 21
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
234 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47201
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
How to file probate in Bartholomew County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Bartholomew County? →Settling an estate in Bartholomew County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Indiana
Free Indiana forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Indiana.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Indiana, a will is signed before 2IC 29-1-5-2; IC 29-1-5-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyIC 29-1-5-2; IC 29-1-5-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Pour-Over Will
In Indiana, a pour-over will is signed before 2IC 29-1-5-2; IC 29-1-5-3Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Indiana
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Indiana: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Indiana.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Indiana levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate, inheritance, or generation skipping tax. HEA 1001 (2013) (P.L.205-2013) repealed all three, eff. Jan. 1, 2013 (inheritance tax repeal applies to deaths after Dec. 31, 2012) — IC 6-4.1-12-0.5; IC 6-4.1-11 (estate tax) and IC 6-4.1-11.5 (GST) repealed; Ind. DOR Departmental Notice #44 (Sept. 2023)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Indiana imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate, inheritance, or generation skipping tax. HEA 1001 (2013) (P.L.205-2013) repealed all three, eff. Jan. 1, 2013 (inheritance tax repeal applies to deaths after Dec. 31, 2012) — IC 6-4.1-12-0.5; IC 6-4.1-11 (estate tax) and IC 6-4.1-11.5 (GST) repealed; Ind. DOR Departmental Notice #44 (Sept. 2023)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Indiana take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesIN DOR Departmental Notice #1 (R46 / 01-26) — state AGI rate, eff. Jan. 1, 2026 (IC 6-3-2-1)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Indiana runs $2,720Estimate: 10 hours at $272, Clio's Indiana Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $4,080Estimate: 15 hours at $272, Clio's Indiana Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $945Estimate: 3 hours at $315, Clio's Indiana Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,890Estimate: 6 hours at $315, Clio's Indiana Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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