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Clark County, IN Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Clark County detail |
|---|---|
| Court for estates | Clark Circuit Court No. 1. Clark County local rule assigns supervised and unsupervised estate cases to Circuit Court No. 1 (LR10-AR00-5). |
| Filing office | Clerk of the Clark Circuit Court, Clark County Judicial Center, 501 East Court Avenue, Room 137, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. |
| Mailing address | Use the street address: 501 East Court Avenue, Room 137, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. |
| Probate phone | (812) 285-6304. |
| Clerk main phone | (812) 285-6244. |
| Fax | (812) 285-6372. |
| Use the probate phone or the clerk's main phone for filing questions. | |
| Hours | Call the clerk's office before you travel to confirm current counter hours. |
| Probate case cost | A supervised or unsupervised estate petition is $177, current through 2026 (IC 33-37-4-7, IC 33-37-5). Sheriff service, if requested, is $28, current through 2026 (IC 33-37-5-15). |
| Local forms | Yes. The clerk offers a self-representation forms set, including a Clark County small estate affidavit packet and a virtual or telephonic appearance motion. There is no local estate petition form and no mandatory local estate cover sheet. |
| E-filing | Attorneys are required to e-file in Clark County. Self-represented filers are encouraged to use the Indiana E-Filing System but may also work with the clerk's counter (Ind. Trial Rule 87). |
| Case search | MyCase at mycase.in.gov. Clark County estate cases appear as EU, ES or EM, and local estate cause numbers begin 10C01. |
| Remote appearance | Clark County offers a verified motion and proposed order to ask for a virtual or telephonic appearance. The judge decides under Ind. Administrative Rule 14. |
| Website | Clark County Clerk of the Courts: https://www.in.gov/counties/clarkcountyclerkofcourts/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Clark County, make a practical list of the decedent's accounts, policies, vehicles, real estate, debts and the people who may receive property. The small estate affidavit route and the summary procedures route under Indiana law depend on the size and shape of the probate estate, and the Clark County small estate packet asks for the people entitled to property and the entities holding it.
Debts matter just as much as assets. Unsupervised administration requires a solvent estate, and a house sale to pay debts can create an early timing problem under Indiana's real-property-sale rule. Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions to find accounts and policies in the decedent's name, which helps you choose the right estate settlement path before papers go to Room 137.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File a Clark County estate when the decedent was domiciled in Clark County at death, or when Indiana venue is otherwise proper because a nonresident decedent left property in Indiana (IC 29-1-7-1). Clark County's estate docket is assigned to Clark Circuit Court No. 1, and filings go through the Clerk of the Clark Circuit Court at 501 East Court Avenue, Room 137, in Jeffersonville.
Clark County covers Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Charlestown, Sellersburg, Henryville, Borden, New Washington, Utica and the surrounding communities. The Clark Circuit Court is one court of general jurisdiction with six numbered divisions, and every estate filing uses the same clerk's counter even though the case is assigned to Circuit Court No. 1 (IC 33-32-2-1).
The jurisdiction process
- Start by listing assets, liabilities, heirs, devisees, named beneficiaries and any will. The route you choose depends on whether the estate needs a personal representative and whether an affidavit or summary procedure under IC 29-1-8 fits.
- Prepare the opening papers for Clark Circuit Court No. 1. Clark County local rules require the caption to read in the circuit court number for Clark County, and estate cases are assigned to Circuit Court No. 1 (LR10-AR00-4, LR10-AR00-5).
- If a will is e-filed, follow Ind. Trial Rule 87(E): file a copy with the required affidavit, keep the original until the estate is closed and the personal representative is released or the will contest period expires, whichever is later, and file the original if the court orders it or a statute requires it.
- File with the Clerk of the Clark Circuit Court at 501 East Court Avenue, Room 137, Jeffersonville. Attorneys file through the Indiana E-Filing System. Self-represented filers may use the e-filing system or work with the clerk's counter (Ind. Trial Rule 87).
- Attach the local proposed orders required for written motions. In Clark County, a written motion must arrive with a proposed order and a proposed order setting the motion for hearing, or it may be returned without action (LR10-AR00-7). Proposed orders must identify the preparer and include a distribution list (LR10-AR00-4).
- Pay the case cost that applies to the filing. A supervised or unsupervised estate petition is $177, current through 2026 (IC 33-37-4-7, IC 33-37-5). Sheriff service is $28, current through 2026, if requested (IC 33-37-5-15).
- After the court appoints a personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of general administration under the court's seal, which prove the personal representative's authority (IC 29-1-10-1, IC 29-1-10-4).
- Publish and serve notice of administration, then handle creditor claims under Indiana's claims rules (IC 29-1-7-7, IC 29-1-14-1). Clark County does not add a local probate notice rule.
- Prepare the inventory within the statewide time required after appointment (IC 29-1-12-1, IC 29-1-7.5-3.2). Clark County has no local probate rule shortening that inventory timing or requiring a different local inventory filing step.
- If a hearing is set and you need to attend by phone or video, file the Clark County verified motion for virtual or telephonic appearance with the proposed order. The court decides the request under Ind. Administrative Rule 14.
- Administer and close the estate. In an unsupervised administration, the closing statement is the estate settlement document filed no earlier than the time allowed by IC 29-1-7.5-4. A summary procedures closing statement under IC 29-1-8-4 carries no court costs fee under IC 33-37-4-7(c)(4).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Clark County
Clark County has local self-representation forms, but it does not have a local estate petition form or a mandatory local estate cover sheet. The most important estate-related local form is the Clark County small estate affidavit packet, which is captioned for Clark Circuit Court No. 1 and includes proposed orders for a court request.
| Form or rule | How it matters in Clark County |
|---|---|
| Clark County small estate affidavit packet | Use it when the statewide small estate route fits. The affidavit is presented to the bank, insurer or other holder of the asset under IC 29-1-8-1 and IC 29-1-8-2. The packet also includes proposed orders for a court request in Clark Circuit Court No. 1. |
| Verified motion for virtual or telephonic appearance | Use it to ask the judge to let you attend a hearing by phone or a court-approved online platform. File it with the proposed order. |
| Appearance by unrepresented party | Use it when you appear without a lawyer. Clark County local rules allow self-represented filings but require self-represented parties to follow the same local rules (LR10-AR00-4, LR10-AR00-12). |
| Local caption rule | Papers in an estate should identify Clark Circuit Court No. 1 because local rule assigns estates there (LR10-AR00-4, LR10-AR00-5). |
| Proposed order rule | Every written motion must include a proposed order and a proposed order setting the motion for hearing (LR10-AR00-7). |
Fees
The Clark County clerk charges the statewide Indiana probate case amount, and adds its own service of process charges. Ask the clerk about certified copies of letters testamentary or letters of general administration before you order copies.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised or unsupervised estate | $177, current through 2026 (IC 33-37-4-7, IC 33-37-5) | This is the Clark County amount for an ES or EU estate case and matches the statewide Indiana probate case total. |
| Estate, miscellaneous | $177 (IC 33-37-4-7, IC 33-37-5) | This is the Clark County amount for an EM estate case. |
| Sheriff service before judgment | $28, current through 2026 (IC 33-37-5-15) | Collected one time per case when sheriff service is requested before judgment. |
| Sheriff service after judgment | $28 (IC 33-37-5-15) | Same 2026 sheriff service amount, collected one time per case after judgment when requested. |
| Service for a non-Indiana case | $60, effective July 1, 2017 | Charged when sheriff service is requested for a non-Indiana case. |
Do not treat the $177 amount as the cost of every will-related filing. Indiana law says certain probate filings carry no court costs fee, including offering a will for probate when no other proceeding is needed and a closing statement for an estate described in IC 29-1-8-4 (IC 33-37-4-7(c)). Ask the clerk which filing category applies to your papers.
Local nuance
Clark County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| One circuit court, six divisions | Clark County's trial court is the Clark Circuit Court, a court of general jurisdiction with six numbered divisions (IC 33-33-10-2.7). |
| Estate docket in Circuit Court No. 1 | Clark County local rule assigns supervised and unsupervised estate cases to Clark Circuit Court No. 1 (LR10-AR00-5). |
| No separate probate division | Probate is a docket of the Clark Circuit Court, not a separate division. The practical answer is that the estate goes to Clark Circuit Court No. 1. |
| Self-represented filing is allowed | Clark County local rules permit self-represented filings and apply the same local rules to people who appear without counsel (LR10-AR00-4, LR10-AR00-12). |
| Caption and proposed orders matter | Clark County local rules prescribe the circuit court caption and require proposed orders with written motions (LR10-AR00-4, LR10-AR00-7). |
| Attorney withdrawal in an estate requires a hearing | A lawyer who seeks to withdraw from an estate case must file a written request and a notice of hearing served on the personal representative (LR10-AR00-2). |
Small-estate Alternatives
Clark County's clerk offers a local small estate packet stamped no fee, and the packet is built around Clark Circuit Court No. 1. It includes an affidavit for assets held by a bank, insurer or other holder, plus proposed orders for the situation where the court is asked to act.
The affidavit itself is not the same thing as opening a regular estate case. Under IC 29-1-8-1 and IC 29-1-8-2, the affidavit is presented to the holder of the asset. If a court order is needed, the Clark County packet's proposed orders are captioned for Clark Circuit Court No. 1 and the court can direct disbursement and distribution under IC 29-1-8-3, followed by the closing statement under IC 29-1-8-4.
Recent updates
| Update | Effective date | What it means in Clark County |
|---|---|---|
| Clark County's former superior courts converted into Clark Circuit Court divisions No. 5 and No. 6. | January 1, 2025 | Clark County now has one circuit court of general jurisdiction with six numbered divisions (IC 33-33-10-2.7, IC 33-33-10-3.1). Estate cases remain assigned to Clark Circuit Court No. 1 by local rule. |
| Clark County local rules were amended. | January 10, 2025 | The current local rules govern captions, proposed orders, self-represented filings and the estate assignment to Clark Circuit Court No. 1. |
| Clark Circuit Courts gave notice of proposed local rule amendments. | Notice dated November 14, 2025 | The proposal keeps estate cases assigned to Clark Circuit Court No. 1. Treat the current local rules as the rules in force unless the court adopts changes. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Clark County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by separating probate assets from nonprobate assets. If administration is needed, file through the Clerk of the Clark Circuit Court for assignment to Clark Circuit Court No. 1. If the estate is solvent and the will or all required people support it, unsupervised administration may fit (IC 29-1-7.5-2). The surviving spouse's $25,000 allowance, effective since 2009, is handled under IC 29-1-4-1. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, title issues and beneficiary designations before the family decides whether a court filing is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the statewide small estate route fits, use the affidavit process under IC 29-1-8-1 rather than opening a full estate. If appointment is needed, a nonresident may serve by filing the required written acceptance, naming an Indiana resident agent and addressing bond (IC 29-1-10-1(d)). If travel is difficult, use the Clark County motion to ask for a virtual or telephonic appearance. | Sunset helps organize asset information, generate a Clark County-ready packet and connect the family with counsel if the small estate path is not enough. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Move quickly if the home may need to be sold to pay debts or administration costs. Indiana's real-property rule requires the petition within five months of death and letters within seven months for certain debt or cost sales (IC 29-1-7-15.1). File in Clark Circuit Court No. 1 through the clerk in Room 137. | Sunset helps find mortgage, lien and account information, prepare the estate settlement packet and connect the family to a Clark County probate attorney for the sale issues. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Clark County Clerk of the Courts | Estate filings, local filing costs, self-representation forms and clerk counter questions. | 501 East Court Avenue, Room 137, Jeffersonville. Probate phone (812) 285-6304. Clerk main phone (812) 285-6244. https://www.in.gov/counties/clarkcountyclerkofcourts/ |
| Clark County court forms for self-represented filers | Local forms page with the Clark County small estate packet and the virtual or telephonic appearance motion. | https://www.in.gov/counties/clarkcountyclerkofcourts/court-forms-pro-se/ |
| Clark County courts and local rules | Indiana Judicial Branch page for Clark County local rules, e-filing, MyCase and court information. | https://www.in.gov/courts/local/clark-county/ |
| Southern Indiana Pro Bono Referrals | Refers qualifying low-income Clark County residents with civil legal needs to volunteer attorneys. It also runs a free Talk to a Lawyer call-in program. | (812) 288-8002. https://probono14.org/ |
| Indiana Legal Services, New Albany office | Free civil legal aid for eligible low-income Hoosiers. The New Albany office serves Clark County. | 3303 Plaza Drive, Suite 5, New Albany, IN 47150. (812) 945-4123. Posted hours Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern. https://www.indianalegalservices.org/locations/ |
| Indiana Legal Help | Estate topic page with the statewide small estate affidavit, probate FAQ and small estate FAQ. | https://indianalegalhelp.org/legal-topic-category/estate-2/ |
| Indiana Free Legal Answers | Online civil legal questions answered by volunteer Indiana attorneys for eligible users. | https://indiana.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| MyCase | Search Clark County estate cases by the decedent's name. Estate case types include EU, ES and EM. | https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase/ |
| Indiana e-filing | Indiana E-Filing System information, provider list and user guides. | https://www.in.gov/courts/efiling/ |
When to hire an attorney
Clark County local rules allow a personal representative to file without a lawyer, and the clerk offers self-representation forms, but clerk staff cannot give legal advice or complete forms. Counsel makes sense when the estate is supervised, a home must be sold, heirs disagree, creditor claims are disputed, the estate may be insolvent, or a nonresident personal representative needs help with resident agent and bond requirements. A lawyer who appears in a Clark County estate cannot withdraw without a hearing noticed to the personal representative (LR10-AR00-2). Sunset connects families with a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions to help locate accounts, policies and other assets in the decedent's name. That asset map helps you decide whether Clark County estate settlement needs a court case, a small estate affidavit or another path.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset turns the family's answers into organized probate documents for Clark Circuit Court No. 1, including the local caption and proposed-order workflow that Clark County rules require.
Find a local probate attorney
If the estate involves a house sale, creditor dispute, supervised administration, nonresident personal representative or contested family issue, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted probate attorney familiar with Indiana practice.
Sunset is free for families
Sunset is free for families. The platform helps organize the estate, prepare next steps and reduce the administrative burden while the family decides whether it wants attorney help.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Clark County, Indiana?
File with the Clerk of the Clark Circuit Court at 501 East Court Avenue, Room 137, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. Clark County local rule assigns supervised and unsupervised estate cases to Clark Circuit Court No. 1 (LR10-AR00-5). Venue is usually the county where the decedent was domiciled at death (IC 29-1-7-1).
Which Clark County court handles estates?
Clark Circuit Court No. 1 handles estate cases. Probate is a docket of the Clark Circuit Court, and the local rule assigns estates to Circuit Court No. 1 (IC 33-33-10-2.7, LR10-AR00-5).
Can I e-file a Clark County estate case?
Yes. Attorneys are required to e-file in Clark County, and self-represented filers are encouraged to use the Indiana E-Filing System but may work with the clerk's counter (Ind. Trial Rule 87). Filers choose from Indiana's certified e-filing service providers.
What does it cost to open an estate in Clark County?
A supervised or unsupervised estate petition is $177, current through 2026 (IC 33-37-4-7, IC 33-37-5). Sheriff service, if requested, is $28, current through 2026 (IC 33-37-5-15). Some probate filings have different treatment under IC 33-37-4-7(c), so ask the clerk which category your filing uses.
Are there local Clark County probate forms?
Clark County offers self-representation forms, including a small estate affidavit packet and a verified motion with proposed order for a virtual or telephonic appearance. There is no local estate petition form and no mandatory local estate cover sheet. Local rules still control the caption and proposed orders (LR10-AR00-4, LR10-AR00-7).
Can I appear remotely for a Clark County probate hearing?
You can ask. The clerk offers a verified motion for virtual or telephonic appearance and a proposed order. The judge decides under Ind. Administrative Rule 14, which allows remote non-testimonial hearings at the court's discretion and allows remote testimony only for good cause or by agreement.
How do I look up a Clark County estate case?
Search the decedent's name at mycase.in.gov. Clark County estate cases appear as EU, ES or EM, and the estate cause number begins 10C01 for Clark Circuit Court No. 1.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Clark County?
Not as a matter of Clark County local rule. Self-represented filings are allowed, but self-represented filers must follow the same local rules (LR10-AR00-4, LR10-AR00-12). A lawyer is often helpful when the estate involves real estate, creditor disputes, insolvency, a nonresident personal representative or family disagreement.
Do I have to travel to Jeffersonville?
Not always. E-filing can avoid a trip for filing, and the published way to ask about attending a hearing by phone or video is the Clark County verified motion for virtual or telephonic appearance. If you plan to go to the clerk's counter, call the clerk's office first to confirm current hours.
What happens to the original will if the case is e-filed?
Under Ind. Trial Rule 87(E), the filer e-files a copy of the will with an affidavit, keeps the original until the estate is closed and the personal representative is released from liability or the will contest period expires, whichever is later, and files the original if the court orders it or a statute requires it.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.