Dubois County Clerk of the Circuit or Superior Court Guide

Supervised Administration

Option

The personal representative (executor with a will, administrator without) is appointed by the court, prepares a verified inventory within two months, publishes notice of administration to creditors, pays valid claims, and files a final account and petition to settle. The court approves major steps such as real estate sales and final distribution.

✓ No attorney required

6 documents needed

Unsupervised Administration

Option

Under IC 29-1-7.5, the court may grant administration without court supervision when the estate is solvent, the personal representative is qualified, and either all heirs (or devisees and legatees) consent or the will authorizes unsupervised administration and the will does not request supervision. The personal representative still opens the estate, gives notice to creditors, prepares an inventory, and closes with a verified closing statement, but without ongoing court approval of routine acts. A bond is generally not required unless the will requires one or the court finds one necessary (IC 29-1-7.5-2.5).

6 documents needed

Collection By Affidavit

Option

Indiana's small estate procedure allows a distributee to collect personal property, bank accounts, securities, insurance payable to the estate, safe deposit box contents, and digital assets by affidavit when the value of the gross probate estate, wherever located, less liens, encumbrances, and reasonable funeral expenses, does not exceed the limit for the decedent's date of death ($100,000 for deaths after June 30, 2022; $50,000 for deaths after June 30, 2006 and before July 1, 2022; $25,000 for deaths before July 1, 2006), 45 days have elapsed since death, and no application or petition for a personal representative is pending or granted in any jurisdiction. A motor vehicle or watercraft title may be transferred through the BMV after only 5 days when no personal representative is contemplated (IC 29-1-8-1(c)).

$100,000

2 documents needed