Estate Planning for Hancock County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Hancock 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 Hancock 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 Hancock 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Circuit Court decides who receives the property: a simple Indiana probate takes 6+ months and opens with $177 in court 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 Hancock County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Hancock 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 Hancock County are recorded with the County Recorder at 111 S American Legion Place, Suite 202, Greenfield, IN 46140. Phone: 317-477-1142. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $35 to record in Hancock County, 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.

Hancock County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Hancock County

Address

111 S American Legion Place, Suite 202Greenfield, IN 46140

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 Hancock County

FirmIndianapolis, IN

Barnes Cadwell Law, P.A.

Serves 4 counties

Indianapolis firm serving Marion, Hamilton, Boone, and Hancock Counties (Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville). Attorneys Martin Barnes and Jeffrey Cadwell handle probate and estate administration, sorting probate versus non-probate assets and walking executors through letters testamentary and creditor claims, plus creditors'-rights and asset-protection matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningAsset ProtectionProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
10475 Crosspoint Blvd, Suite 250Indianapolis, IN 46256

FirmIndianapolis, IN

Frank & Kraft, Attorneys at Law

Serves 6 counties

Indianapolis estate and elder-law firm serving Marion County and surrounding central-Indiana communities (Carmel, Fishers, Greenwood, Plainfield) through the local probate process. Handles will filing, estate asset identification and valuation, debt and tax settlement, executor guidance, beneficiary disputes, and trust administration. Offers a free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
135 N Pennsylvania St, Suite 1100Indianapolis, IN 46204
Free consultation

FirmFishers, IN

Freedman Law, P.C.

Serves 5 counties

Fishers firm serving Hamilton County and the broader central-Indiana region (Marion, Hancock, Boone, Madison counties) with estate administration and probate representation. Handles decedent estates, will-contest litigation, transfer-on-death deeds, and non-probate asset transfers, as well as wills and powers of attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationGuardianshipHealthcare Directivesand 3 more

Office
11650 Lantern Rd, Suite 217Fishers, IN 46038

FirmGreenfield, IN

Pritzke & Davis, LLP

Since 1986 · Serves 1 county

Greenfield firm serving Hancock County and the eastern Indianapolis metro, founded in 1986. Its estate lawyers work with executors and beneficiaries through the administration of a will or trust, draft wills and trusts, and also represent families contesting wills and trusts.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
728 N State StGreenfield, IN 46140

FirmGreenfield, IN

White & Jocham

Serves 3 counties

Greenfield firm serving Hancock County, Henry County, and Indianapolis. Handles probate administration and estate settlement, from identifying and appraising assets through paying debts and taxes to distributing property, and can run a trust distribution alongside the probate estate. Also takes guardianship proceedings and elder-law work including Medicaid eligibility and nursing-home planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 6 more

Office
17 N Pennsylvania StGreenfield, IN 46140

Solo PracticeSouth Bend, IN

Longstreet Law LLC

Serves 3 counties

South Bend firm led by Laura M. Longstreet, a former St. Joseph County Superior Court clerk and guardian ad litem, serving South Bend and Indianapolis. Represents individuals and families in probate proceedings and estate planning, with particular attention to LGBTQ+ and nontraditional families.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
401 E Colfax Ave, Suite 180South Bend, IN 46617
Free consultation
See all 25 firms serving Hancock 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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