Estate Planning & Probate in Putnam County, Indiana
There are two reasons people look up Putnam County probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through it. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Circuit Court.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Circuit Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Putnam County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Putnam County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Putnam County→The Probate Process in Putnam County
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 Putnam County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at One West Washington Street, Greencastle. The court sits in the Judicial District 19. Putnam County shares the Judicial District 19 with Clay, Sullivan and Vigo.
Full Putnam Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court
Putnam County · Judicial District 19
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Putnam County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$25 flat, regardless of page count; required form fees may include County Auditor's real property endorsement (transfer) ($10); TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt.
Full recording details →Verified June 3, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
The Circuit Court for Putnam County is located in Greencastle, Indiana. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
Yes. E-filing is available but optional in Putnam County. Many families filing without an attorney prefer paper filing at the Circuit Court; both are accepted.
Yes. The Circuit Court offers a self-help center where staff review paperwork and explain filing procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on a specific case. The center is open 2nd Tuesday of every month, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
No. Indiana allows estates under $100,000 to use a Small Estate Affidavit and skip formal probate. The waiting period is 45 days after death. Use the Indiana probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, Indiana's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The Putnam County probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in Indiana for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the Putnam County probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
Indiana Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Putnam County.
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