Estate Planning for Putnam County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Putnam 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 Putnam County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Heather L. Gilbert, at 1 W Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Greencastle, IN 46135. Phone: 765-653-5613. 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 Putnam 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

Putnam County · County Recorder · Heather L. Gilbert

Address

1 W Washington Street, 2nd FloorGreencastle, IN 46135

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 Putnam County

FirmGreencastle, IN

Attorney Michael Goss, LLC

Serves 7 counties

Greencastle elder law and estate firm serving Putnam County and west-central Indiana, including Morgan, Owen, Clay, Parke, Montgomery, and Boone counties. Michael and Adam Goss handle probate and trust administration after a death, along with Medicaid crisis planning, long-term care planning, asset protection, and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 5 more

Office
2100 E State Road 240Greencastle, IN 46135

FirmTerre Haute, IN

Felling, Farnsworth & Wudtke

Serves 6 counties

Terre Haute and Greencastle firm serving Vigo, Putnam, and surrounding Wabash Valley counties; formerly Nattkemper & Farnsworth, now practicing as Felling, Farnsworth & Wudtke. Attorney Jared A. Farnsworth handles estate and trust administration alongside wills, trusts, and Medicaid planning, and the firm takes guardianship and probate litigation and trust and estate disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 3 more

Office
400 Ohio StTerre Haute, IN 47807

FirmCovington, IN

Wallace Law Firm

Since 1915 · Serves 4 counties

Covington firm (Fountain County) practicing since 1915, with a second office in Rockville. Its estate work is planning-side: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Known in the local courts of Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, and Warren counties, where it also handles criminal, family law, and personal injury matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyWills Trusts

Office
303 Washington StCovington, IN 47932

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 Putnam 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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