Estate Planning for Adams County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Adams County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

For a Adams County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Adams County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Adams County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Indiana probates run 6+ months and start with $177 in filing fees. Indiana also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Adams County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Adams County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, an Indiana transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentIC 32-17-14-1 to 32-17-14-32Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathIC 32-17-14-1 to 32-17-14-32Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Adams County are recorded with the County Recorder at 313 W Jefferson Street, Suite 240, Decatur, IN 46733. Phone: 260-724-5343. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Adams County comes to $35, which is $25 in recording fees plus the $10 County Auditor's real property endorsement (transfer). A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Adams County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Adams County

Address

313 W Jefferson Street, Suite 240Decatur, IN 46733

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSCE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$25
County Auditor's real property endorsement (transfer)Applies to a TOD deed$10
SDF-1 (State Form 46021) Sales Disclosure Form$20
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

IC 36-2-7-10(c)(1)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Adams County

Decatur firm serving Adams, Allen, Wells, and Jay counties in northeastern Indiana, with a second office in Fort Wayne. Handles probate and estate administration alongside wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Scott B. Ainsworth, in practice in Decatur for over 30 years, concentrates on wills, trusts, probate, and estate planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
147 S 2nd StDecatur, IN 46733

FirmDecatur, IN

Johnson & Johnson Attorneys at Law

Serves 3 counties

Decatur firm located in the downtown across from the Adams Circuit Court, serving Adams, Wells, and Jay counties in northeast Indiana. Handles estate and guardianship administration and drafts wills, trusts, and deeds. Also carries a general civil and criminal trial-litigation practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
107 S 2nd StDecatur, IN 46733
Free consultation

FirmHuntington, IN

Bowers, Brewer, Garrett & Wiley, LLP

Since 1899 · Serves 7 counties

Huntington firm serving Huntington County and northeast Indiana since 1899, handling estates of all sizes and all aspects of estate administration, including transferring property and dealing with taxing authorities. Of counsel Joseph K. Wiley takes estate litigation and guardianship matters, and the firm handles Medicaid and elder-law planning for nursing-home care.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawTax Planningand 6 more

Office
301 Warren StHuntington, IN 46750

Solo PracticePortland, IN

Gregory W. LeMaster, Attorney at Law

Serves 4 counties

Portland solo practice in Jay County, east-central Indiana, near the Randolph, Blackford, and Adams county lines. Attorney Gregory W. LeMaster handles wills, estates, trusts, and powers of attorney alongside criminal defense and real estate work, drawing on about 20 years in practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
226 S Meridian StPortland, IN 47371

FirmTipton, IN

Church Church Hittle and Antrim

Since 1880 · Serves 5 counties

Central Indiana firm established in 1880, with a Tipton office and six more in Noblesville, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Crown Point, and Fort Wayne. Its Trust and Probate Administration group sees estates through the court process, pays taxes and debts, and navigates Indiana intestate succession where there is no valid will. Sarah J. Randall and Jack G. Hittle lead the estate work.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax Planningand 3 more

Office
118 S Independence StTipton, IN 46072

Solo PracticeVincennes, IN

Bouchie Law LLC

Serves the whole state

Vincennes firm led by Knox County native Tanner Bouchie, frequently representing clients in Knox, Daviess, Sullivan, Greene, Pike, and Dubois counties. Handles wills, trusts and estates and guardianship arrangements for loved ones, alongside business formation, real estate, and family law. Clients book appointments online and meet remotely.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipWills Trusts

Office
P.O. Box 992Vincennes, IN 47591
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 19 firms serving Adams County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Indiana statutes and official state code. How we research.

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