Estate Planning for LaGrange County, Indiana Property Owners

For most LaGrange 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 LaGrange 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 LaGrange 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 LaGrange County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives LaGrange 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 LaGrange County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Sheila Getz, at 114 W Michigan Street, LaGrange, IN 46761. Phone: 260-499-6320. 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 LaGrange 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.

LaGrange County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

LaGrange County · County Recorder · Sheila Getz

Address

114 W Michigan StreetLaGrange, IN 46761

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 LaGrange County

Solo PracticeAngola, IN

Cress Law Group PC

Serves 4 counties

Angola practice serving Steuben, DeKalb, LaGrange, and Noble County clients in northeast Indiana. Attorney Jonathan Cress prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives with appointment of a health care representative, alongside family law, criminal, and collections work. Planning only: the site describes no probate practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyWills Trusts

Office
430 N Wayne St, Suite 1AAngola, IN 46703
Free consultation

Solo PracticeAngola, IN

Kaiser Law Offices

Serves 4 counties

Brian W. Kaiser's Angola firm serves Steuben, LaGrange, DeKalb, and Noble counties in northeast Indiana (plus northwest Ohio). Handles probate of estates large and small — sorting probate from non-probate assets, settling debts, and transferring assets — plus small estate affidavits, simplified probate procedures, wills, trusts, and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
425 N Wayne StAngola, IN 46703

FirmKendallville, IN

Yoder & James Law

Since 1974 · Serves 6 counties

Northeast Indiana firm established 1974, with offices in Kendallville (515 Professional Way), LaGrange and Albion. Its probate attorneys assist personal representatives (executors) in administering an estate through probate, including small estates with assets under $100,000, and handle will contests. Attorney Michael M. Yoder has over 40 years of experience.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
515 Professional WayKendallville, IN 46755

Solo PracticeAuburn, IN

Lightner Law Firm, P.C.

Serves 4 counties

Auburn firm led by Zachary Lightner serving DeKalb County and northeast Indiana. Assists families administering final affairs through probate, working alongside estate planning in wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, with corporate and real estate work.

PracticesEstate PlanningPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
109 W 4th StAuburn, IN 46706
Virtual consultations

Solo PracticeMishawaka, IN

Timothy E. Kalamaros, Law Office P.C.

Serves 14 counties

Solo Mishawaka practice concentrated in St. Joseph County probate and estate administration, covering probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, trusts, and guardianships. Timothy Kalamaros advises executors and trustees carrying out an estate plan and sorts out estate disputes in court as needed. Serves South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, and 13 more northern-Indiana counties.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
1117 Lincoln Way WestMishawaka, IN 46544

FirmGoshen, IN

Yoder Ainlay Ulmer & Buckingham, LLP

Since 1957 · Serves 3 counties

Goshen firm (130 North Main Street, est. 1957) serving Elkhart, LaGrange and Kosciusko counties and the wider Michiana area. Its estate group handles estate and trust administration, probate and guardianships for clients in Indiana and Florida, with attorneys board certified by the Indiana Trust and Estate Specialization Board. Seventeen attorneys.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 5 more

Office
130 N Main StGoshen, IN 46526
See all 20 firms serving LaGrange 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Indiana statutes and official state code. How we research.

Indiana Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Indiana.