Estate Planning for Allen County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Allen 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 Allen 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 Allen 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, Allen 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 Allen County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Allen 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 Allen County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Nicole Keesling, at 1 E Main Street, Room 100, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Phone: 260-449-7165. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Allen 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.

Allen County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Allen County · County Recorder · Nicole Keesling

Address

1 E Main Street, Room 100Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Available via SimplifileE-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 Allen 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

Solo PracticeFort Wayne, IN

Grubbs Law Office

Since 2004 · Serves 1 county

Fort Wayne solo practice serving Allen County and northeast Indiana. Robert A. Grubbs handles probate and trust administration, adult guardianships, and estate settlement, personally managing each matter as a solo practitioner rather than delegating to staff.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 5 more

Office
5746 Coventry LnFort Wayne, IN 46804
Free consultation

FirmFort Wayne, IN

Gutwein Law

Serves 4 counties

Fort Wayne office of Gutwein Law, opened when Jeanne E. Longsworth brought her practice to the firm, serving Allen County. Longsworth, an attorney and CPA, concentrates on estate, probate and trust administration alongside estate planning and business succession; the firm also handles trust and estate litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration

Office
7030 Pointe Inverness Way, Suite 330Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Solo PracticeFort Wayne, IN

The Bellinger Law Office

Since 2006 · Serves 2 counties

Fort Wayne practice serving Allen and Steuben Counties, whose probate work identifies which assets pass through probate, files the court paperwork, handles creditor claims, and distributes the remaining assets. Robert H. Bellinger also litigates will contests involving undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, fraud, or forgery.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
116 E Berry St, Suite 500Fort Wayne, IN 46802

FirmFort Wayne, IN

Troyer & Good, PC

Serves 1 county

Fort Wayne firm pairing estate and trust administration with elder-law and Medicaid work for Allen County families. Guides personal representatives, beneficiaries, and trustees through creditor notice, estate claims, appraisal, distribution, and closing the estate. Partners Tracy L. Troyer and Leah C. Good both list estate and trust administration and Medicaid planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
6303 Constitution DrFort Wayne, IN 46804

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
See all 23 firms serving Allen 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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