Probate in Newton County runs through the Circuit Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Newton County, settling their estate runs through the Circuit Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Newton County · Judicial District 2
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Newton Circuit Court (Hon. Jeryl F. Leach) is in the Newton County Courthouse, Kentland; mailing address PO Box 101, Kentland, IN 47951, phone 219-474-5131, fax 219-474-6751, re-confirmed 2026-07-03 via the official Indiana Directory of Courts & Clerks (in.gov/courts/files/court-directory.pdf). County site (newtoncounty.in.gov) loads (HTTP 200).
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Newton County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at 201 N. 3rd Street, Kentland. The court sits in the Judicial District 2. Newton County shares the Judicial District 2 with Benton, Jasper and Porter.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Indiana intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Indiana estates take 9 months to 15 months to move through this process. The 3 monthsIC 29-1-14-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What probate costs in Newton County, Indiana comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court at 201 N. 3rd Street, Kentland. The court is part of the Judicial District 2.
Indiana charges $177IC § 33-37-4-7(a) (as amended by P.L.106-2025). Verified 2026-09-08Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Circuit Court accepts e-filing (https://www.in.gov/courts/efiling/). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Indiana are negotiated, typically 1.8%IC 29-1-10-13 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%IC 29-1-10-13 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Indiana requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
Probate in Indiana typically runs 9 months to 15 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate documents in Newton County can be filed in person at the Circuit Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. The court sits in the Judicial District 2.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationNot every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Circuit Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Newton County Self-Filing Assessment.
To file at the Circuit Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.
Deeds and other real property documents for Newton County are recorded with the County Recorder at 201 N 3rd Street, Kentland, IN 47951. Phone: 888-663-9866. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $25 flat, regardless of page count.
Recording Office Record
Newton County
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 deed | Exempt |
IC 36-2-7-10(c)(1)
Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
Indiana uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Newton County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Indiana are based on reasonable compensation — typically 1.8%IC 29-1-10-13 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%IC 29-1-10-13 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Newton County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmRensselaer, IN
Rensselaer firm serving Jasper County and neighboring Newton, Pulaski, and White Counties since 1970. Probate and trust-administration work covers estate administration, small estates, trust management, and guardianships for vulnerable adults. Two-attorney practice (Eric and Clair Beaver).
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmRensselaer, IN
Rensselaer firm serving Jasper County and Northwest Indiana since 1980, handling estate and trust administration through the local probate process. Attorneys open estates, guide executors through administration to ensure assets pass as the decedent intended, and work to close the estate. Practice also spans family law, criminal defense, and personal injury.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
Solo PracticeVincennes, IN
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
FirmNew Albany, IN
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
FirmBloomington, IN
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
Solo PracticeRichmond, IN
Richmond practice in Wayne County, also taking cases in Union, Fayette, Rush, Henry, Delaware, Randolph, and Jay counties. Attorney Shane R. Edington handles probate for estates being managed or distributed, guiding personal representatives through court-supervised administration of estates with a will and intestate estates. More than 20 years in practice.
PracticesGuardianshipProbate Administration
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.
Data sourced from Indiana statutes and official state code. How we research.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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Step-by-step tools for families in Newton County, Indiana.
Get a personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.
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