Estate Planning for Knox County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Knox 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 Knox 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 Knox 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, Knox 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 Knox County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Knox 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 Knox County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Kelley Kopp Hopwood, at 111 N 7th Street, Suite 2, Vincennes, IN 47591. Phone: 812-885-2508. 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 Knox 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.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Knox County · County Recorder · Kelley Kopp Hopwood

Address

111 N 7th Street, Suite 2Vincennes, IN 47591

Fax

812-885-2509

Hours

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

FirmVincennes, IN

Kirchoff & Jewel

Since 1997 · Serves 1 county

Vincennes firm serving Knox County and southern Indiana, established in 1997 by Bruce Kirchoff and Bryan Jewel. Guides executors, personal representatives and trustees through Indiana probate, trust administration and estate settlement, and represents clients in will, trust and fiduciary-duty disputes. Current partners are Bryan A. Jewel, Cole L. Kirchoff and Patrick V. Toole.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 3 more

Office
517 Broadway StVincennes, IN 47591

Solo PracticeVincennes, IN

Kopatich Law, LLC

Serves 1 county

Solo Vincennes practice serving Knox County as a general-practice hometown firm. Estate planning is offered alongside family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, and expungements; probate/estate-administration detail on the site is limited. Attorney Andrew Kopatich, a Vincennes local.

PracticesEstate Planning

Office
317 Main St, Suite 1AVincennes, IN 47591

FirmSullivan, IN

Hawkins Elder Law PC

Serves 4 counties

Sullivan firm run by Jeff and Jennifer Hawkins, both Trust & Estate Specialty Board Certified Indiana Trust & Estate Lawyers, serving Sullivan County and west-central Indiana. Handles management of deceased people's estates and guardianships, along with wills, trusts, elder law, and nursing-home Medicaid applications.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
999 N Section StSullivan, IN 47882

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

FirmBloomington, IN

Clendening Johnson & Bohrer, P.C.

Serves the whole state

Bloomington firm guiding Monroe County and south-central Indiana families through Indiana's probate process. The team marshals and inventories assets, discharges debts, and distributes the estate to heirs, and also handles trust administration, guardianships, and will contest litigation. Partner James F. Bohrer is Board Certified as a Trust and Estate Lawyer by the Indiana State Bar Association.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationGuardianshipProbate Administration

Office
409 W Patterson Dr, Suite 205Bloomington, IN 47403
See all 17 firms serving Knox 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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