Estate Planning for St. Joseph County, Indiana Property Owners

For most St. Joseph 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.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a St. Joseph County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Probate Court. The two tools that keep a St. Joseph 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, St. Joseph County property passes through the Probate 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 St. Joseph County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives St. Joseph 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.

Create a IndianaTOD deed →St. Joseph Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for St. Joseph County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Candace Brown, at 227 W Jefferson Boulevard, Room 321, South Bend, IN 46601. Phone: 574-235-9525. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

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

St. Joseph County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

St. Joseph County · County Recorder · Candace Brown

Address

227 W Jefferson Boulevard, Room 321South Bend, IN 46601

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via SimplifileE-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)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving St. Joseph County

Solo PracticeMishawaka, IN

Godfrey Law Offices

Serves 1 county

Mishawaka/South Bend firm serving St. Joseph County and northern Indiana with probate and trust administration. Attorney Chris Godfrey handles estate settlement and trust administration alongside estate planning, elder law, life-care planning, and asset protection. Integrates clients' retirement assets into planning through the firm's structured process.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawAsset ProtectionProbate Administration

Office
215 Red Coach DrMishawaka, IN 46545

FirmSouth Bend, IN

Hahn|Walz Attorneys at Law

Since 1986 · Serves 2 counties

South Bend firm serving St. Joseph County and northern Indiana, with a practice tracing back to the 1920s. Handles probate administration following a death, estate settlement, and Medicaid planning, with attorneys covering wills, trusts, and general civil and probate litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 3 more

Office
509 W Washington StSouth Bend, IN 46601

Solo PracticeSouth Bend, IN

Longstreet Law LLC

Serves 3 counties

South Bend firm led by Laura M. Longstreet, a former St. Joseph County Superior Court clerk and guardian ad litem, serving South Bend and Indianapolis. Represents individuals and families in probate proceedings and estate planning, with particular attention to LGBTQ+ and nontraditional families.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
401 E Colfax Ave, Suite 180South Bend, IN 46617
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSouth Bend, IN

The Law Office of Mary L. Kohn, P.C.

Since 1994 · Serves 2 counties

Mary L. Kohn's South Bend firm serves St. Joseph and Elkhart counties in the Michiana area. Probate work includes property appraisal and sale, locating missing heirs, obtaining account balances, and establishing estate debt-payment plans, with in-home consultations for clients unable to travel.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1650 South Bend AveSouth Bend, IN 46617

Solo PracticeMishawaka, IN

Timothy E. Kalamaros, Law Office P.C.

Serves 14 counties

Solo Mishawaka practice concentrated in St. Joseph County probate and estate administration, covering probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, trusts, and guardianships. Timothy Kalamaros advises executors and trustees carrying out an estate plan and sorts out estate disputes in court as needed. Serves South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, and 13 more northern-Indiana counties.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
1117 Lincoln Way WestMishawaka, IN 46544

FirmSchererville, IN

Kelly Law Offices LLC

Serves 7 counties

Northwest Indiana firm based in Schererville (Lake County), with a second office in South Bend, handling estate administration after a death as well as planning. Represents clients in contested matters including will contests and breach-of-fiduciary-duty disputes, and employs in-house accountants for estate tax planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationTax PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1619 Junction AveSchererville, IN 46375
Free consultation
See all 21 firms serving St. Joseph 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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