Estate Planning for Brown County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Brown 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 Brown 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 Brown 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, Brown 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 Brown County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Brown 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 Brown County are recorded with the County Recorder at 201 Locust Lane, 1st Floor, Nashville, IN 47448. Phone: 812-988-5462. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 86, Nashville, IN 47448.

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

Brown County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Brown County

Address

201 Locust Lane, 1st FloorNashville, IN 47448Mailing: P.O. Box 86, Nashville, IN 47448

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 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 Brown County

FirmColumbus, IN

Beck Rocker, LLC

Since 1985 · Serves 8 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax PlanningProbate Administration

Office
432 Washington StColumbus, IN 47201
Free consultation

FirmColumbus, IN

Jewell, Crump, Angermeier & Prall

Since 1972 · Serves 6 counties

Columbus firm serving Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings, Decatur, Johnson, and Brown counties with probate administration — filing wills with the court, securing a decedent's assets, locating beneficiaries, closing accounts, and transferring assets to heirs. Also handles estate administration and trust administration.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1325 Washington StColumbus, IN 47201

FirmColumbus, IN

Voelz, Reed & Mount, LLC

Serves 3 counties

Columbus estate-and-elder-law firm focused on estate and trust settlement for Bartholomew County and central-Indiana families. Work spans probate estates, trust settlements, heirship and small-estate affidavits, post-death tax advice, guardianships, Medicaid planning and special-needs trusts. Meets in the office, at a location of the client's convenience, or by teleconference.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 4 more

Office
2751 Brentwood DrColumbus, IN 47203
Virtual consultations

FirmMadison, IN

West Sixth Law, LLP

Since 1976 · Serves 6 counties

Madison firm (One W. 6th Street, Jefferson County), formerly Alcorn Sage Schwartz & Magrath, serving southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky since 1976. Estate work covers wills, trusts, healthcare directives, elder-care planning, probate planning and estate tax concerns. By-appointment offices in Columbus, Lawrenceburg and Louisville, Kentucky.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawTax PlanningHealthcare Directivesand 2 more

Office
1 West 6th StMadison, IN 47250
Free consultation

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

FirmNew Albany, IN

Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law

Serves the whole state

New Albany firm serving Floyd County and southern Indiana from offices in New Albany, Corydon, and Salem. Handles supervised and unsupervised estate administration, small-estate and intestate matters, creditor claims and asset distribution, and estate and trust litigation. Gary Banet also takes guardianships, elder law, and special-needs planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 6 more

Office
318 Pearl St, Suite 200New Albany, IN 47150
See all 18 firms serving Brown 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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Data sourced from Indiana statutes and official state code. How we research.

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