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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 DeKalb 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.

DeKalb County Clerk of the Circuit or Superior Court Guide

DeKalb County judicial circuit (DeKalb Circuit Court, Superior Court I, and Superior Court II) · Clerk of the Circuit or Superior Court information · Updated July 2026

(260) 925-0912Clerk of the Circuit or Superior Court

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DeKalb County judicial circuit (DeKalb Circuit Court, Superior Court I, and Superior Court II)|
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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 and are the same in every county: a $120 probate costs fee for each probate action (Ind. Code 33-37-4-7(a)) plus statutory add-on fees under Ind. Code 33-37-5 (document storage, automated record keeping, public defense administration, judicial insurance adjustment, judicial salaries, court administration, and pro bono legal services fees), for a uniform $177 total to open a decedent's estate, whether supervised or unsupervised. Costs are not graduated by estate value and Indiana charges no probate tax. A $28 sheriff service of process fee (Ind. Code 33-37-5-15) is added only if sheriff service is requested. No costs fee is charged for offering a will for probate alone, for filing a small-estate closing statement under Ind. Code 29-1-8-4, or for a petition to open a safe deposit box (Ind. Code 33-37-4-7(c)). The small estate affidavit under Ind. Code 29-1-8-1 is presented directly to the holder of the property, so no court filing fee applies. Amounts follow the Indiana State Board of Accounts fee schedule effective July 1, 2025. Verify the current total with the Clerk before filing.

Indiana probate filing costs are set statewide by statute and are the same in every county: a $120 probate costs fee for each probate action (Ind. Code 33-37-4-7(a)) plus statutory add-on fees under Ind. Code 33-37-5 (document storage, automated record keeping, public defense administration, judicial insurance adjustment, judicial salaries, court administration, and pro bono legal services fees), for a uniform $177 total to open a decedent's estate, whether supervised or unsupervised. Costs are not graduated by estate value and Indiana charges no probate tax. A $28 sheriff service of process fee (Ind. Code 33-37-5-15) is added only if sheriff service is requested. No costs fee is charged for offering a will for probate alone, for filing a small-estate closing statement under Ind. Code 29-1-8-4, or for a petition to open a safe deposit box (Ind. Code 33-37-4-7(c)). The small estate affidavit under Ind. Code 29-1-8-1 is presented directly to the holder of the property, so no court filing fee applies. Amounts follow the Indiana State Board of Accounts fee schedule effective July 1, 2025. Verify the current total with the 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 SearchProbate Forms

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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