Estate Planning for Miami County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Miami 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 Miami County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Taylour Stewart, at 25 N Broadway, Room 205, Peru, IN 46970. Phone: 765-472-2573. 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 Miami 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.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Miami County · County Recorder · Taylour Stewart

Address

25 N Broadway, Room 205Peru, IN 46970

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 Miami County

FirmKokomo, IN

Davis & MacDonald Law Firm

Serves 5 counties

Kokomo firm serving Howard County and surrounding north-central Indiana families with probate and estate administration through the local court. Prepares and files probate petitions and wills, schedules appointment of a personal representative, and handles settling and distributing estates. Longstanding focus on farm, ranch, and agricultural-business estates.

PracticesEstate PlanningAgricultural LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
119 N Buckeye StKokomo, IN 46901

FirmKokomo, IN

Kuntz Law Firm

Since 1992 · Serves 5 counties

Kokomo firm (Howard County) run by Mark E. and Cameron P. Kuntz, serving central Indiana. Represents and guides executors through probate — creditor notification, debt settlement, asset distribution, and estate finalization — alongside will drafting and estate planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1542 S Dixon Rd, Suite AKokomo, IN 46902
Free consultation

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

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 Miami 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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