Estate Planning for Rush County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Rush 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 Rush 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 Rush 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, Rush 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 Rush County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Rush 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 Rush County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Debbie Richardson, at 101 E 2nd Street, Room 208, Rushville, IN 46173. Phone: 765-932-2388. 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 Rush 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.

Rush County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Rush County · County Recorder · Debbie Richardson

Address

101 E 2nd Street, Room 208Rushville, IN 46173

Fax

765-938-1163

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSCE-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 Rush County

Solo PracticeConnersville, IN

Harvey Law Office

Serves 2 counties

Connersville firm serving Fayette County families through informal non-probate administration, court-supervised and unsupervised formal probate, and trust administration after a death. Attorney Jamie Harvey concentrates on elder-law-adjacent estate matters, including guardianships and Medicaid/asset-protection questions that arise when settling an older decedent's estate.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
324 Central AveConnersville, IN 47331
Free consultation

FirmGreensburg, IN

Rolfes, Garvey, Walker, & Robbins

Serves 6 counties

Greensburg firm in Decatur County, also serving Bartholomew, Franklin, Ripley, Rush and Shelby counties. Owner Bill Robbins has over 50 years in wills, trusts, estates, probate and property law, and the firm handles probate administration, family-farm preservation, special-needs planning and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more

Office
132 E Washington StGreensburg, IN 47240
Free consultation

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

Solo PracticeBrownsburg, IN

Gordon & Gordon, P.C.

Serves the whole state

Brownsburg home office in Hendricks County, serving Avon, Danville, Plainfield, and central Indiana. Brian S. Gordon, an attorney and accountant, handles wills, trusts, and probate representation along with powers of attorney and estate tax return filing, preparing the returns in-house.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
9850 N County Road 950 EBrownsburg, IN 46112
See all 16 firms serving Rush 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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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Indiana statutes and official state code. How we research.

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