Estate Planning for Jefferson County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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, Jefferson 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 Jefferson County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Jefferson 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 Jefferson County are recorded with the County Recorder at 300 E Main Street, Room 104, Madison, IN 47250. Phone: 812-265-8903. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

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

Jefferson County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Jefferson County

Address

300 E Main Street, Room 104Madison, IN 47250

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSCE-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 Jefferson County

FirmNorth Vernon, IN

Jenner, Pattison & Sharpe

Since 1968 · Serves 2 counties

Southern Indiana firm serving Jennings County from North Vernon, with a second office in Madison (Jefferson County). Practice covers wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate/estate administration alongside real estate and civil litigation. Established 1968; attorneys include Jason J. Pattison and Devon M. Sharpe.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
524 N State St, Suite 1North Vernon, IN 47265

Solo PracticeMadison, IN

Law Office of Mary Beth Mock

Serves 2 counties

Jefferson County solo practice in Madison led by Mary Beth Mock, in practice locally for over 30 years. The firm assists clients responsible for settling an estate, guiding Indiana and out-of-state clients through estate administration and the probate process, alongside estate planning and powers of attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
307 Jefferson StMadison, IN 47250
Free consultation

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

FirmNew Albany, IN

Mattox & Wilson, L.L.P.

Serves 6 counties

New Albany firm guiding families through probate in Floyd County and neighboring Southern Indiana counties (Clark, Harrison, Scott, Jefferson, Washington). Handles estate administration — filing the will, valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, distributing to beneficiaries — and will contests based on undue influence, lack of capacity, or fraud.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more

Office
125 E Spring StNew Albany, IN 47150
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 Jefferson 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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