Estate Planning for Howard County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Howard 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 Howard 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 Howard 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 Howard County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Howard 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 Howard County are recorded with the County Recorder at 220 N Main Street, Room 330, Kokomo, IN 46901. Phone: 765-456-2210. 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 Howard 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.

Howard County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Howard County

Address

220 N Main Street, Room 330Kokomo, IN 46901

Fax

765-456-2056

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 Howard County

FirmKokomo, IN

Alter & Rockey, Associates at Law

Serves 1 county

Kokomo firm handling probate matters in Howard County. Work covers court-supervised administration and asset distribution, estate applications of all sizes, will contests, and creditor-claim defense, guiding executors through their fiduciary obligations. Attorneys Justin Alter and Brooke Rockey also handle Medicaid planning for long-term care.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
2704 S Goyer RdKokomo, IN 46902

FirmKokomo, IN

Bayliff, Harrigan, Cord, Maugans & Cox, P.C.

Since 1966 · Serves 1 county

Kokomo firm serving Howard County, established in 1966. Probate work covers administering the estate and carrying families through the probate process, alongside wills and trusts, Medicaid planning, health care directives, and powers of attorney. Four partners practice alongside the firm's personal injury, real estate, family, and business work.

PracticesEstate PlanningMedicaid PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
319 N Main StKokomo, IN 46901

FirmKokomo, IN

Davis & MacDonald Law Firm

Serves 5 counties

Kokomo firm serving Howard County and surrounding north-central Indiana families with probate and estate administration through the local court. Prepares and files probate petitions and wills, schedules appointment of a personal representative, and handles settling and distributing estates. Longstanding focus on farm, ranch, and agricultural-business estates.

PracticesEstate PlanningAgricultural LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
119 N Buckeye StKokomo, IN 46901

FirmKokomo, IN

Kuntz Law Firm

Since 1992 · Serves 5 counties

Kokomo firm (Howard County) run by Mark E. and Cameron P. Kuntz, serving central Indiana. Represents and guides executors through probate — creditor notification, debt settlement, asset distribution, and estate finalization — alongside will drafting and estate planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1542 S Dixon Rd, Suite AKokomo, IN 46902
Free consultation

FirmKokomo, IN

McIntyre & O'Keefe, LLP

Serves 1 county

Kokomo firm handling Howard County estate work, including probate estate administration, small-estate administration, and surviving-spouse administration. Attorneys James B. McIntyre and Kevin W. O'Keefe also handle trust administration, estate planning, and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 4 more

Office
2713 Rockford LnKokomo, IN 46902

FirmMarion, IN

Glickfield Law Office, LLC

Serves 10 counties

Marion firm in Grant County handling probate, guardianships, and wills and estate planning, also taking cases in Allen, Blackford, Delaware, Howard, Huntington, Madison, Tipton, Wabash, and Wells counties. Guides families through the probate process and creditor claims after a death. Offers a free initial consultation on estate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
605 S Washington StMarion, IN 46953
Free consultation
See all 22 firms serving Howard 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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