Indiana Inheritance: Plan an Estate or Settle One

Indiana has not adopted the Uniform Probate Code, has not enacted the Uniform Trust CodeInd. Code 30-4-1-1 et seq.Verified Jul 15, 2026View source, and has not adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney ActIC 30-5-2-2, IC 30-5-2-6, IC 30-5-3-2, IC 30-5-3-3, IC 30-5-3-6, IC 30-5-4-1, IC 30-5-4-1.3, IC 30-5-4-1.5, IC 30-5-4-1.7, IC 30-5-4-2, IC 30-5-5-14.5, IC 30-5-6-1, IC 30-5-8-2, IC 30-5-8-7, IC 30-5-8-8, IC 30-5-9-9, IC 30-5-10-3, IC 30-5-11-4, IC 30-5-11-4.5Verified Sep 18, 2026View source.

Probate of a simple estate in Indiana runs 6 months to 9 months; an average estate takes 9 months to 15 months. The court filing fee is $177IC § 33-37-4-7(a) (as amended by P.L.106-2025). Verified 2026-09-08Verified Sep 8, 2026; attorney fees are reasonable compensationIC 29-1-10-13 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; executor compensation typically runs 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. On a $500,000 estate the estimated total comes to $24,871IC 29-1-10-13 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

Certified death certificates come from the Indiana Department of Health - Division of Vital RecordsIndiana Department of Health - Division of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source at $8Indiana Department of Health - Division of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source a copy, $4Indiana Department of Health - Division of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for each additional copy ordered with it. Processing time: 60 daysIndiana Department of Health - Division of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Once appointed, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysIC 29-1-12-1, IC 29-1-7.5-3.2Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment and publishes the notice to creditors for 2IC 29-1-14-1, 29-1-7-7, 29-1-14-9, 29-1-14-10Verified Sep 15, 2026View source consecutive weeks.

A surviving spouse left out of the will can elect to take a statutory share insteadIC 29-1-3-1, IC 29-1-3-2, IC 29-1-3-6Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. The family allowance during administration is capped at $25,000IC 29-1-4-1Verified Oct 11, 2026View source. Property left to a minor under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act is released at 21 yearsIC 30-2-8.5-35Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of age. Indiana taxes incomeIC 6-3-2-1(b)(7) (as amended by P.L.80-2025 / SEA 451 (2025))Verified Sep 20, 2026View source at a flat 2.95%IC 6-3-2-1(b)(7) (as amended by P.L.80-2025 / SEA 451 (2025))Verified Sep 20, 2026View source. An heir's capital gains on inherited assets: 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.