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In Indiana, smaller estates can escape the need to go through probate. If a person's estate is worth less than $50,000, it may not be necessary. Affidavits must be filed, however, swearing to this.

The Indiana probate process involves various steps, including: Filing the will with the applicable court. The court validates the will. The estate's responsibility is officially assigned to the executor or personal representative. The executor will identify the estate's creditors and beneficiaries.

Probate can only be avoided by planning your estate so that most of your assets either: 1) have transferred to someone else prior to your death or 2) transfer to someone else automatically upon your death. A Will does NOT help to avoid probate.

Only assets in your own name, with no joint owners or named beneficiaries, pass through probate. Joint and pay on death bank and brokerage accounts pass directly to the joint owner or the named beneficiary by operation of law at your death.

Probate is a court-supervised process of handling a dead person's affairs in an organized manner. Indiana has specific laws and statutes that must be followed when handling estates. The court will make decisions for the administration of an estate per Indiana statute for estates worth over $50,000.

Is Probate Required in Indiana? Any estate worth more than $50,000 is subject to probate in Indiana. Estates worth less than $50,000 transfer ownership to heirs through the small estate administration with a written statement proving entitlement to the assets.