Estate Planning for LaPorte County, Indiana Property Owners

For most LaPorte 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 LaPorte 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 LaPorte 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 LaPorte County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives LaPorte 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 LaPorte County are recorded with the County Recorder at 555 Michigan Avenue, Suite 201, LaPorte, IN 46350. Phone: 219-326-6808. 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 LaPorte 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.

LaPorte County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

LaPorte County

Address

555 Michigan Avenue, Suite 201LaPorte, IN 46350

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via 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 LaPorte County

Solo PracticeMichigan City, IN

Beckman Law, LLC

Since 2008 · Serves 1 county

Michigan City practice serving LaPorte County and northwest Indiana, where attorney Bethany Beckman probates estates and transfers property by small estate affidavit when a formal probate is unnecessary. Estate work sits alongside her family law, traffic and criminal, and personal injury practice. Opened in 2008 as Beckman & Boersma, LLP.

PracticesEstate PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1411 S Woodland Ave, Suite BMichigan City, IN 46360
Virtual consultations

FirmValparaiso, IN

Douglas, Koeppen & Krsak

Since 1930 · Serves 3 counties

Valparaiso firm serving Porter, Lake, and LaPorte counties in northwest Indiana, in practice since 1930. Handles probating a will, distribution of assets, transfer of titles, estate and trust administration, and Date of Death Affidavits, plus guardianships and conservatorships. R. Bradley Koeppen practices in probate, real estate, and estate planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
14 Indiana Ave, Suite 200Valparaiso, IN 46383

Solo PracticeMichigan City, IN

Guy DiMartino Law

Serves 2 counties

Michigan City firm serving LaPorte County and northwest Indiana from offices in Michigan City and Valparaiso. Handles probate administration, will contests, and trust contests, plus guardianships and Medicaid planning. Attorney Guy DiMartino has been admitted in Indiana since 1999.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawGuardianshipand 6 more

Office
1000 Washington StMichigan City, IN 46360

FirmLaPorte, IN

Howes & Howes Law Firm

Since 1979 · Serves 3 counties

LaPorte firm whose service area includes Starke County (Knox, Hamlet, North Judson) along with LaPorte and Porter counties. Its probate practice covers admitting wills, paying the decedent's debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets under the will or Indiana law, plus guardianships. Offers a complimentary first consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
717 Indiana AveLaPorte, IN 46350
Free consultation

FirmSchererville, IN

Kelly Law Offices LLC

Serves 7 counties

Northwest Indiana firm based in Schererville (Lake County), with a second office in South Bend, handling estate administration after a death as well as planning. Represents clients in contested matters including will contests and breach-of-fiduciary-duty disputes, and employs in-house accountants for estate tax planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationTax PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1619 Junction AveSchererville, IN 46375
Free consultation

FirmChesterton, IN

Smith Legal Group, LLC

Serves 3 counties

Chesterton firm in Porter County serving northwest Indiana. Its estate and trust administration work covers collecting, appraising and preserving assets, sorting out the claims and liabilities to be paid, minimizing taxes and administrative costs, and preparing and filing the required pleadings, reports and returns. Consultations are a flat $300 for up to an hour.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipHealthcare Directivesand 3 more

Office
802 Wabash Ave, Suite 100Chesterton, IN 46304
See all 22 firms serving LaPorte 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.