Estate Planning for Spencer County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Spencer 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 Spencer 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 Spencer 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, Spencer 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 Spencer County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Spencer 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 Spencer County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Kensie Smith Stephens, at 200 Main Street, Room 9, Rockport, IN 47635. Phone: 812-649-6013. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Central Time).

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

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Spencer County · County Recorder · Kensie Smith Stephens

Address

200 Main Street, Room 9Rockport, IN 47635

Fax

812-649-6015

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Central Time)
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 Spencer County

Solo PracticeJasper, IN

Collins Law Group, LLC

Serves 5 counties

Jasper and Evansville practice serving southern Indiana, led by John Collins, a Board Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer since 2013. Work covers estate and trust administration -- representing personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries -- plus will and trust contests, creditor claims against estates, elder law and Medicaid planning, and farm and business succession.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
225 W 41st St, Suite BJasper, IN 47546
Virtual consultations

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

FirmIndianapolis, IN

Harshman Ponist Smith & Rayl, LLC

Serves the whole state

Indianapolis firm on North Washington Boulevard serving Marion County and central Indiana, and taking matters throughout the state. Guides families through Indiana supervised, unsupervised, and small-estate administration, and handles guardianships alongside estate planning, family law, and criminal defense.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate Administration

Office
3650 N Washington BlvdIndianapolis, IN 46205
See all 15 firms serving Spencer 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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