Estate Planning for Monroe County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Monroe 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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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, Monroe 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 Monroe County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Monroe 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 →Monroe Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Monroe County are recorded with the County Recorder at 100 W Kirkwood Avenue, Room 122, Bloomington, IN 47404. Phone: 812-349-2520. 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 Monroe 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.

Monroe County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Monroe County

Address

100 W Kirkwood Avenue, Room 122Bloomington, IN 47404

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)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Monroe County

FirmColumbus, IN

Beck Rocker, LLC

Since 1985 · Serves 8 counties

Columbus firm serving Bartholomew County and south-central Indiana, started in 1985. Estate and trust administration work covers probate and trust administration, intestate estates where no will can be found, and litigation over the administration of an estate. Jeff Rocker expanded the firm's estate planning practice after joining in 2005.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax PlanningProbate Administration

Office
432 Washington StColumbus, IN 47201
Free consultation

FirmBloomington, IN

Freitag & Martoglio, LLC

Serves 1 county

Bloomington firm serving Monroe County with probate, estate, and trust administration. Guides families after a death through the probate process, administration of estates with and without a will, and trust-management questions, alongside elder-law, adult guardianships, and Medicaid/asset-protection planning. A Certified Dementia Friendly Business.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 6 more

Office
2907 E Buick Cadillac BlvdBloomington, IN 47401

FirmBloomington, IN

McCrea & McCrea

Since 1939 · Serves 1 county

Bloomington firm founded in 1939 — the oldest continually operating practice in Monroe County — with Edward F. McCrea and Aaron E. McCrea leading its estate work. Handles probate and estate administration alongside estate planning for Monroe County families.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipHealthcare Directivesand 3 more

Office
119 S Walnut StBloomington, IN 47404
Free consultation

FirmBloomington, IN

Slotegraaf Niehoff P.C.

Serves 1 county

Bloomington firm (Monroe County) whose probate practice represents personal representatives and trustees through estate and trust administration. Also handles will and trust contests, interference-with-inheritance claims, beneficiary representation, will-spread-of-record, and estate mediation, giving it a settlement-side litigation capability.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationProbate Administration

Office
200 E 3rd StBloomington, IN 47401

FirmBedford, IN

Smith Law Office

Since 2022 · Serves 8 counties

Bedford firm in Lawrence County, founded in 2022 by David A. and Patrick J. Smith. David handles probate and trust administration, elder law and long-term-care planning, special-needs and Miller trusts, and guardianships, and is also licensed in Florida for Indiana clients holding property there.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
1516 I StBedford, IN 47421

FirmMadison, IN

West Sixth Law, LLP

Since 1976 · Serves 6 counties

Madison firm (One W. 6th Street, Jefferson County), formerly Alcorn Sage Schwartz & Magrath, serving southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky since 1976. Estate work covers wills, trusts, healthcare directives, elder-care planning, probate planning and estate tax concerns. By-appointment offices in Columbus, Lawrenceburg and Louisville, Kentucky.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawTax PlanningHealthcare Directivesand 2 more

Office
1 West 6th StMadison, IN 47250
Free consultation
See all 20 firms serving Monroe 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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