Estate Planning for Hendricks County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Hendricks 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 Hendricks 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 Hendricks 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 Hendricks County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Hendricks 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 Hendricks County are recorded with the County Recorder at 355 S Washington Street, Danville, IN 46122. Phone: 317-745-9224. 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 Hendricks 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.

Hendricks County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC, ePN, Indecomm.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Hendricks County

Address

355 S Washington StreetDanville, IN 46122

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSC, ePN, IndecommE-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 Hendricks County

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

FirmAnderson, IN

Beeman Heifner Benge P.A.

Serves 3 counties

Anderson firm serving Madison County and central Indiana, with a second office on Crosspoint Blvd in Indianapolis. Attorney Thomas M. Beeman, a Board Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer, handles estate administration and estate litigation, representing parties in contested estate and trust disputes. Estate practice sits alongside the firm's criminal-defense and personal-injury work.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
3737 S Scatterfield Rd, Suite 200Anderson, IN 46013
Free consultation

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

FirmMuncie, IN

Dennis, Wenger & Abrell, P.C.

Since 1980 · Serves 3 counties

Muncie firm serving Delaware County and east-central Indiana, founded in 1980, with a second office in Carmel. Partners Tara M. Smalstig and David J. Karnes handle probate and estate administration for personal representatives, covering court filings, estate property and distributions, plus probate litigation and will contests.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
324 W Jackson StMuncie, IN 47305

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 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 21 firms serving Hendricks 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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