After a death in Indiana

Which court handles probate

The court with probate jurisdiction in the county where the person lived.

"The venue for the probate of a will and for the administration of an estate shall be:"

Read the source (an unofficial copy of the law).

What to do with the original will

Whoever has the will may deliver it to the probate court after the death. They must deliver it if the personal representative demands it in writing or a court orders it.

"shall, upon written demand by the personal representative or upon court order;"

Ind. Code § 29-1-7-3. Read the source (an unofficial copy of the law).

Wills deposited during life

Yes. A person can deposit a living person's will, for a $25 fee, with the circuit court clerk in the county where that person lived when they signed it.

"allows a person to deposit a will and/or codicil (hereinafter “will”) of a living person with the Circuit Court Clerk"

Ind. Code § 29-1-7-3.1. Read the source.

Opening a safe deposit box

Banks must give access in this order: a surviving joint lessee; the estate's personal representative; the representative named in the will or the trustee of a revocable trust, with an affidavit if no estate is open; then anyone with a court order. The bank must grant access within 3 business days of the right paperwork.

"a financial institution shall grant access in the following order of priority to a safe deposit box"

Ind. Code § 29-1-13-1.5. Read the source (an unofficial copy of the law).

Indiana Office of the Attorney General

"This is a free service of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General."

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Instructions for heirs and estates

Source, checked 2026-10-15.

Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records

First copy $8.00, more copies in the same order $4.00 each. The office publishes a general vital-record Direct Interest table. Confirm the applicable death-record category and its proof, identification and age conditions with the office.

Order from the state. Online vendors add fees.