Estate Planning for Tippecanoe County, Indiana Property Owners

For most Tippecanoe 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 Tippecanoe 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 Tippecanoe 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, Tippecanoe 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 Tippecanoe County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Tippecanoe 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 Tippecanoe County are recorded with the County Recorder at 20 N 3rd Street, Lafayette, IN 47901. Phone: 765-423-9352. 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 Tippecanoe 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.

Tippecanoe County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Tippecanoe County

Address

20 N 3rd StreetLafayette, IN 47901

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)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Tippecanoe County

FirmLafayette, IN

Ball Eggleston, PC

Since 1950 · Serves 1 county

Lafayette firm serving Tippecanoe County and greater Lafayette, marking 75 years in practice. Estate administration work covers determining a decedent's assets, transferring them under the will or the Indiana Probate Code, and navigating the probate court, alongside trust administration and guardianships. Jack L. Walkey is a Board Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipProbate Administration

Office
415 Columbia St, Suite 3000Lafayette, IN 47901

FirmLafayette, IN

Gregg Theobald Law

Serves 1 county

Lafayette practice of Gregg Theobald (Tippecanoe County), with Jay Seeger of counsel. Its probate practice administers both testate and intestate estates, valuing, selling, and distributing bank accounts, real estate, and business interests that pass through a will, and handles contested or multiple-will disputes. Also offers Medicaid and special-needs planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationElder LawGuardianshipand 4 more

Office
410 N Main StLafayette, IN 47901

FirmLafayette, IN

Truitt Ray Law

Serves 6 counties

Lafayette firm directly across from the Tippecanoe County Courthouse, serving Tippecanoe, White, Carroll, Benton, Clinton and Warren counties for more than 25 years. Handles the financial side of a death for families in probate, plus wills, powers of attorney, healthcare representatives and guardianships. Partner Rod Ray carries the estate and probate work.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
324 Main St, Suite CLafayette, IN 47901

FirmFort Wayne, IN

Gutwein Law

Serves 4 counties

Fort Wayne office of Gutwein Law, opened when Jeanne E. Longsworth brought her practice to the firm, serving Allen County. Longsworth, an attorney and CPA, concentrates on estate, probate and trust administration alongside estate planning and business succession; the firm also handles trust and estate litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration

Office
7030 Pointe Inverness Way, Suite 330Fort Wayne, IN 46804

FirmValparaiso, IN

Rice & Rice

Since 1972 · Serves 3 counties

Elder-law and estate firm with offices in Valparaiso, Lafayette and Granger, serving Porter, Tippecanoe and St. Joseph counties since 1972. Its trust and estate administration work covers asset inventory and valuation, paying debts, filing estate and income tax returns, and distributing to beneficiaries, and it handles testate and intestate probate and beneficiary disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
100 Lincolnway, Suite 1Valparaiso, IN 46383
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
See all 19 firms serving Tippecanoe 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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