Estate Planning for Johnson County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Johnson 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 Johnson 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 Johnson 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 Johnson County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Johnson 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 Johnson County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Teresa Petro, at 86 W Court Street, Franklin, IN 46131. Phone: 317-346-4385. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

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

Johnson County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Johnson County · County Recorder · Teresa Petro

Address

86 W Court StreetFranklin, IN 46131

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 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 Johnson County

FirmIndianapolis, IN

Craven Blazek Law

Serves 2 counties

Indianapolis firm handling estate planning and probate administration for Marion County and central Indiana, alongside a plaintiff's civil litigation practice. Work includes wills, trusts, trust resolution, special needs trusts, and business succession, with each attorney carrying 25-plus years in estate and probate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningSpecial Needs Planningand 5 more

Office
7550 S Meridian St, Suite C-1Indianapolis, IN 46217
Free consultationVirtual consultations

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

FirmIndianapolis, IN

Hocker Law, LLC

Since 1993 · Serves 3 counties

Indianapolis firm guiding families through the Marion County probate process whether or not the decedent left a will. The firm's attorneys handle estate opening, administration, and asset distribution as part of a practice spanning family law and probate.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration

Office
6626 E 75th St, Suite 410Indianapolis, IN 46250
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

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
See all 24 firms serving Johnson 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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