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Use This County Probate Reference Before You File

This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, Clerk of the Circuit or Superior Court contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Bartholomew County.

Local Fee Schedule

Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.

Court Rules and Orders

Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.

Clerk and Filing Logistics

Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.

Bartholomew County Clerk of the Circuit or Superior Court Guide

Bartholomew County judicial circuit (Bartholomew Circuit Court; Superior Courts 1 and 2) · Clerk of the Circuit or Superior Court information · Updated July 2026

(812) 379-1600Clerk of the Circuit or Superior Court

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Bartholomew County judicial circuit (Bartholomew Circuit Court; Superior Courts 1 and 2)|
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Filing & Fees

Fee Schedule Signals

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Probate Filing Fees

Filing TypeFee
Formal Administration
Standard probate for larger estates
$177

Note: Indiana probate filing costs are set statewide by statute, not by the county: a $120 probate costs fee (Ind. Code 33-37-4-7(a)) plus statutory add-on fees under IC 33-37-5 (document storage $5, automated record keeping $20, public defense administration $5, judicial insurance adjustment $1, judicial salaries $20, court administration $5, pro bono legal services $1) make the uniform total to open a decedent's estate (supervised or unsupervised) $177 in every Indiana county, per the fee statutes as amended through P.L.106-2025. Court costs are not graduated by estate value and Indiana charges no probate tax. No costs fee is charged for offering a will for probate alone, filing a small-estate closing statement under IC 29-1-8-4, or a petition to open a safe deposit box (IC 33-37-4-7(c)), and the small estate affidavit under IC 29-1-8-1 is presented directly to the holder of the property with no court filing. Sheriff's service of process, when requested, adds $28 (IC 33-37-5-15). Verify the current total and accepted payment methods with the Bartholomew County Clerk before filing.

Indiana probate filing costs are set statewide by statute, not by the county: a $120 probate costs fee (Ind. Code 33-37-4-7(a)) plus statutory add-on fees under IC 33-37-5 (document storage $5, automated record keeping $20, public defense administration $5, judicial insurance adjustment $1, judicial salaries $20, court administration $5, pro bono legal services $1) make the uniform total to open a decedent's estate (supervised or unsupervised) $177 in every Indiana county, per the fee statutes as amended through P.L.106-2025. Court costs are not graduated by estate value and Indiana charges no probate tax. No costs fee is charged for offering a will for probate alone, filing a small-estate closing statement under IC 29-1-8-4, or a petition to open a safe deposit box (IC 33-37-4-7(c)), and the small estate affidavit under IC 29-1-8-1 is presented directly to the holder of the property with no court filing. Sheriff's service of process, when requested, adds $28 (IC 33-37-5-15). Verify the current total and accepted payment methods with the Bartholomew County Clerk before filing.

Required Documents

  • Certified Death Certificate

    Order certified copies from the local health department where the death occurred (encouraged for faster service) or the Indiana Department of Health Vital Records ($8 first copy, $4 each additional copy in the same order at the state office; local fees vary).

  • Original Will

    The original signed will, if one exists, presented to the court for probate. A will generally may not be probated more than three years after death (IC 29-1-7-15.1(g)).

  • Petition for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters (or Appointment of Administrator)

    Filed with the clerk of the circuit or superior court with probate jurisdiction. Contents are prescribed by IC 29-1-7-5. The court issues letters testamentary (with a will) or letters of administration (without). Unsupervised administration may be requested under IC 29-1-7.5.

  • Verified Inventory

    Prepared within two months after appointment unless the court allows longer (IC 29-1-12-1); filed with the court or furnished to interested persons on request.

  • Notice of Administration to Creditors (Publication)

    Published once each week for two consecutive weeks and served on heirs, devisees, legatees, and known creditors; first publication starts the three-month claim period (IC 29-1-7-7; IC 29-1-14-1).

  • Final Account or Verified Closing Statement

    A final account and petition to settle in supervised administration; a verified closing statement in unsupervised administration (IC 29-1-7.5) or for summary small-estate administration (IC 29-1-8-4).

  • Small Estate Affidavit

    Affidavit under IC 29-1-8-1 to collect estate property 45 days after death when the estate is within the date-of-death-banded limit ($100,000 for deaths after June 30, 2022). Presented directly to the holder of the property; many counties and the state publish template forms (the BMV vehicle version is State Form 18733). Verify the preferred form with the institution or county.

E-Filing & Filing Methods

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E-Filing PortalCase Search

Records portal

Check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.

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Filing Methods: in person, by mail, e file

Timelines & Proceedings

Deadlines & Creditor Claims

Key Deadlines

Will Deposit
Verify locally
Creditor Claims
3 months

Creditor Claims

Period Starts
first published notice to creditors
Statute
IC 29-1-14-1; IC 29-1-7-7

Related Proceedings

Property Recording

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