Estate Planning for Marion County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Marion 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.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Marion 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 Marion 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, Marion 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 Marion County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Marion 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.

Create a IndianaTOD deed →Marion Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Marion County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Faith Kimbrough, at 200 E Washington Street, Suite T-741, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Phone: 317-327-4020. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $35 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Marion County comes to $45, which is $35 in recording fees plus the $10 County Auditor's real property endorsement (transfer). A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Marion County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Marion County · County Recorder · Faith Kimbrough

Address

200 E Washington Street, Suite T-741Indianapolis, IN 46204

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)$35
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); IC 36-2-7-10.7

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Marion County

FirmIndianapolis, IN

Barnes Cadwell Law, P.A.

Serves 4 counties

Indianapolis firm serving Marion, Hamilton, Boone, and Hancock Counties (Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville). Attorneys Martin Barnes and Jeffrey Cadwell handle probate and estate administration, sorting probate versus non-probate assets and walking executors through letters testamentary and creditor claims, plus creditors'-rights and asset-protection matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningAsset ProtectionProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
10475 Crosspoint Blvd, Suite 250Indianapolis, IN 46256

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

FirmFishers, IN

Freedman Law, P.C.

Serves 5 counties

Fishers firm serving Hamilton County and the broader central-Indiana region (Marion, Hancock, Boone, Madison counties) with estate administration and probate representation. Handles decedent estates, will-contest litigation, transfer-on-death deeds, and non-probate asset transfers, as well as wills and powers of attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationGuardianshipHealthcare Directivesand 3 more

Office
11650 Lantern Rd, Suite 217Fishers, IN 46038

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

FirmNoblesville, IN

Holt Legal Group

Since 1975 · Serves 2 counties

Noblesville firm serving Hamilton County and greater Indianapolis since 1975, administering estates and guiding personal representatives through probate whether or not the firm drafted the will and whether or not the decedent left one. Estate administration sits alongside guardianship and long-term-care/Medicaid planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
198 S 9th StNoblesville, IN 46060
Free consultation
See all 27 firms serving Marion 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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