Estate Planning for Scott County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott 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 Scott County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Scott 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 Scott County are recorded with the County Recorder at 1 E McClain Avenue, Suite 100, Scottsburg, IN 47170. Phone: 812-752-8442. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

The County Recorder charges $25 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $35 to record in Scott 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.

Scott County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Scott County

Address

1 E McClain Avenue, Suite 100Scottsburg, IN 47170

Fax

812-752-6430

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 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 Scott County

FirmNew Albany, IN

Brightwell Elder and Probate Law

Since 1998 · Serves 6 counties

New Albany elder law and probate firm led by Bruce Brightwell, serving Floyd, Clark, Harrison, Orange, Scott, and Washington counties. Handles estate opening, appointment of executors, payment of estate debts and taxes, asset distribution, and probate litigation over will disputes. Practising in Indiana since 1998.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawGuardianshipand 4 more

Office
1212 State StNew Albany, IN 47150
Free consultation

FirmScottsburg, IN

Houston, Thompson & Lewis, PC

Serves 1 county

Scottsburg firm serving Scott County with estate and trust administration and Indiana probate, including assistance to out-of-state family members settling a local decedent's estate. Attorney Tinisha Bowles-Densford handles estate planning and probate; the firm also covers elder and disability law, including preserving Medicaid eligibility without depleting the estate.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
59 E Wardell StScottsburg, IN 47170

FirmNew Albany, IN

Mattox & Wilson, L.L.P.

Serves 6 counties

New Albany firm guiding families through probate in Floyd County and neighboring Southern Indiana counties (Clark, Harrison, Scott, Jefferson, Washington). Handles estate administration — filing the will, valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, distributing to beneficiaries — and will contests based on undue influence, lack of capacity, or fraud.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more

Office
125 E Spring StNew Albany, IN 47150
Free consultation

FirmJeffersonville, IN

Smith Carpenter Fondrisi Cummins & Schulte, LLC

Since 1905 · Serves 5 counties

Jeffersonville firm in Clark County, grown from a practice commenced in 1905 and serving southern Indiana and the Louisville metro. Its probate work covers getting the personal representative appointed, accounting for and preserving estate assets, final tax filings, and distribution under the will or the intestacy statutes.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
209 E Chestnut StJeffersonville, IN 47130

FirmSeymour, IN

Montgomery, Elsner & Pardieck, LLP

Since 1885 · Serves 6 counties

Century-old Seymour firm serving Jackson County and southern Indiana from a single office. Attorney Greg S. Morin handles estate administration and trusts alongside estate planning, and the firm's elder-law practice covers Medicaid and long-term-care planning, incapacity planning, and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
308 W 2nd StSeymour, IN 47274

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
See all 19 firms serving Scott 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

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

Indiana Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Indiana.