Estate Planning for Porter County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Porter 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 Porter 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 Porter 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, Porter 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 Porter County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Porter 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 Porter County are recorded with the County Recorder at 155 Indiana Avenue, Suite 210, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Phone: 219-465-3465. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

The County Recorder charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Porter 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.

Porter County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Porter County

Address

155 Indiana Avenue, Suite 210Valparaiso, IN 46383

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 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)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Porter County

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

FirmHebron, IN

Galvan Law, LLC

Serves 2 counties

Hebron practice in Porter County, near the Jasper County line in northwest Indiana. Attorney Brett R. Galvan, admitted in Indiana in 2015, handles probate administration, guardianships, and wills and trusts, along with health-care directives and powers of attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
121 N Main StHebron, IN 46341
Free consultation

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

FirmMerrillville, IN

Law Office of Weiss, Schmidgall and Hires, P.C.

Serves 2 counties

Merrillville firm covering Lake and Porter County probate for Northwest Indiana families, from Gary and Hammond to Crown Point and Valparaiso. Handles supervised and unsupervised probate administration, estate inventory and distribution, personal-representative guidance, and inheritance disputes. Estate work sits alongside the firm's bankruptcy, criminal-defense, and business practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
6 W 73rd AveMerrillville, IN 46410
Free consultation
See all 25 firms serving Porter 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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