Back to Indiana
Porter County, IN Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Porter County information |
|---|---|
| Court assignment | File with the Clerk of the Porter Circuit Court. Estate cases are assigned by Odyssey on an alternating, rotating, even and random basis to Porter Superior Court 1 or Porter Superior Court 2, before that court's magistrate (LR64-AR01-3000.40). |
| Main courthouse address | Porter County Courthouse, 16 Lincolnway, Suite 211, Valparaiso, IN 46383. |
| Mailing address | Use the street address. Porter County's probate rules allow filing by mail and require a self-addressed stamped envelope for returned papers (LR64-PR00-5100.10). |
| Phone | Clerk: (219) 465-3450. Porter Superior Court 1: (219) 465-3410. Porter Superior Court 2: (219) 465-3411. |
| Fax | Clerk fax: (219) 465-3847. A fax is not a route for opening an estate because Porter County's fax rule does not accept filings that require a fee and does not accept fax filings from filers without a lawyer. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time. New in-person filings are processed only until 4:15 p.m. Central time. |
| Administration filing cost | The 2026 statewide cost for a petition for probate of will and issuance of letters, or a petition for letters of general administration, is $177 under IC 33-37. Porter County lists $205 when the sheriff's $28 service of process fee is collected (IC 33-37-5-15). |
| Local probate forms | Yes, but not a fill-in estate packet. Porter County publishes Probate Appendices A through D inside its local probate rules. Probate Appendix B is the clerk's certificate as to costs and claims used at closing, and Probate Appendix C is the maximum fee guideline for supervised estates. |
| E-filing | Attorney pleadings are e-filed through the Indiana E-Filing System. Unrepresented litigants are encouraged but not required to e-file (Ind. Trial Rule 87), and the Porter County Clerk says a person filing without an attorney may file with the Clerk's Office. |
| Case search | MyCase, https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase/. Porter County estate cases appear as EU, ES or EM, and a cause number beginning 64D01 or 64D02 shows which estate court has the case. |
| Remote appearance | Indiana Administrative Rule 14 controls. Porter County publishes no separate probate remote-appearance rule, so ask the assigned court whether a particular hearing can be attended remotely. |
| Websites | Clerk: https://www.portercountyin.gov/142/Clerks-Office. Local rules: https://www.in.gov/dA/ccac8cab2a/porter-local-rules.pdf. Indiana Judicial Branch county page: https://www.in.gov/courts/local/porter-county/. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Porter County, identify the probate assets, the debts, and whether the estate needs administration at all. If the whole gross probate estate, less liens, encumbrances and reasonable funeral expenses, is $100,000 or less for a death after June 30, 2022, the Indiana small estate affidavit route under IC 29-1-8-1 goes to the bank or other holder after forty-five days, not to the courthouse.
If administration is needed, the same asset list drives Porter County's local paperwork. The opening petition states the probable value of personal property and annual rents and profits for bond, the inventory must be filed within sixty days of appointment, and closing requires the clerk's certificate that costs are paid and claims are satisfied. Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions so families can choose the right estate settlement path before they start at the Valparaiso counter.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Porter County probate venue follows Indiana's county-of-domicile rule: probate of a will and administration of an estate belong in the Indiana county where the decedent was domiciled at death, and for a nonresident decedent in an Indiana county where property was left or later came (IC 29-1-7-1). The proceeding is one in rem estate proceeding (IC 29-1-7-2).
For Porter County, the filing counter is the Clerk of the Porter Circuit Court at the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso. One elected Clerk of the Circuit Court serves the circuit court and every superior court in the county (IC 33-32-2-1). After filing, Porter County's caseload allocation rule sends ES, EU and EM estate cases to Porter Superior Court 1 or Porter Superior Court 2 on an alternating, rotating, even and random basis (LR64-AR01-3000.40).
The courthouse city is Valparaiso. Porter County also has a clerk counter at the Portage North County Annex, 3560 Willowcreek Road, Portage, but the estate-assignment rule sends estate cases to Superior Court 1 or Superior Court 2 in Valparaiso. Porter County keeps Central time under 49 CFR 71.5(b), so the 4:15 p.m. cutoff for new in-person filings is 4:15 p.m. Central time.
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether administration is needed. For a death after June 30, 2022, if the gross probate estate less liens, encumbrances and reasonable funeral expenses is $100,000 or less, the small estate affidavit route under IC 29-1-8-1 may be used after forty-five days by presenting the affidavit to the holder of the asset. If administration is needed, use the Porter County filing process below.
- Prepare the opening papers. Bring the will if there is one, the death certificate, and the petition for probate of will and issuance of letters testamentary or for letters of general administration. Porter County requires every estate pleading to be signed and verified by the fiduciary and signed by the attorney for the fiduciary, and the opening petition must include the proposed fiduciary's name, address, Social Security number and date of birth (LR64-PR00-5100.30).
- Include the bond information. Porter County requires the opening petition to state the probable value of the personal property and estimated annual rents and profits because the court uses those figures to set bond (LR64-PR00-5200.30). A nonresident personal representative also files a written acceptance, appoints an Indiana resident agent for service, and addresses bond under IC 29-1-10-1(d).
- File with the Clerk of the Porter Circuit Court. Attorneys file through the Indiana E-Filing System, and unrepresented litigants may e-file or file with the Clerk's Office (Ind. Trial Rule 87). The main counter is 16 Lincolnway, Suite 211, Valparaiso, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time, with new in-person filings processed only until 4:15 p.m. Papers filed by mail need a self-addressed stamped envelope for returned papers (LR64-PR00-5100.10).
- Pay the court cost if the filing is not exempt. The 2026 statewide cost for a petition for probate of will and issuance of letters, or a petition for letters of general administration, is $177 under IC 33-37. Porter County lists $205 when the sheriff's $28 service of process fee is collected (IC 33-37-5-15). Offering a will for probate where nothing else is needed, a safe-deposit-box petition, and an IC 29-1-8-4 closing statement are exempt from a court costs fee under IC 33-37-4-7(c).
- Wait for assignment. Porter County does not let the filer choose the estate court. Odyssey assigns ES, EU and EM estate cases on an alternating, rotating, even and random basis to Porter Superior Court 1 or Porter Superior Court 2 (LR64-AR01-3000.40). A cause number beginning 64D01 means Superior Court 1, and one beginning 64D02 means Superior Court 2.
- Address bond before letters issue. Porter County requires a corporate surety bond before letters issue unless an exception or alternative applies. A will's bond waiver does not eliminate protection for creditors and taxing authorities, a fiduciary who is an heir or legatee may receive a reduction for that share, heirs or legatees may request a limited bond, and bond in an unsupervised estate is discretionary (LR64-PR00-5200.10). A restricted account at a federally insured institution can be used in place of bond if the court's required account restriction and the institution's written acknowledgment are filed (LR64-PR00-5200.20).
- Receive authority. The court appoints the personal representative, and the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of general administration under the court's seal (IC 29-1-10-4).
- Publish, serve and prove notice. Indiana requires notice of administration to be published once each week for two consecutive weeks, with proof filed with the clerk within thirty days, and notice served on heirs, devisees, legatees and known creditors (IC 29-1-7-7). Porter County adds that the attorney prepares notice, handles publication, serves written notice by certified mail with return receipt where required, sends the petition with hearing notices, mails notice of opening to readily ascertainable creditors, and provides proof of service before bringing a matter to the court (LR64-PR00-5000.10).
- File the inventory within sixty days of appointment. Porter County requires a filed inventory in every estate, supervised and unsupervised, within sixty days of appointment, and later inventories must recap earlier partial inventories (LR64-PR00-5300.10, LR64-PR00-5900.20).
- Handle claims. Indiana creditor claims are forever barred three months after first publication or nine months after death, whichever is earlier (IC 29-1-14-1). Porter County adds a local task: five months and fifteen days after first publication, the fiduciary or attorney must examine the Claim Docket and allow or disallow each claim filed against the estate (LR64-PR00-5600.10).
- Set hearings with the assigned court. Porter County's general civil practice puts hearing scheduling on the moving side, which secures a date from the calendar staff for the assigned judge or magistrate. For remote appearance, Indiana Administrative Rule 14 allows non-testimonial hearings remotely at the court's discretion and keeps testimonial hearings in person unless good cause is shown or the parties agree. Call Porter Superior Court 1 at (219) 465-3410 or Porter Superior Court 2 at (219) 465-3411 based on the cause number.
- Administer assets under the local rules. In a supervised estate, a petition to sell real estate must include a written professional appraisal unless one already went in with the inventory, and the appraisal must include the legal description and the other elements listed in LR64-PR00-5400.10. Deeds submitted to the court must be signed by the fiduciary and notarized first (LR64-PR00-5400.20). If a final decree vests real estate, the decree must be recorded in the county where the land sits and proof of recording given to the court (LR64-PR00-5400.30).
- Close the estate. Court costs must be paid and all filed claims satisfied and released, and the clerk's certificate on Probate Appendix B must be filed before approval of the final account in a supervised estate or with the closing statement in an unsupervised estate (LR64-PR00-5700.30, LR64-PR00-5900.30). An unsupervised estate may close by verified closing statement no earlier than three months after first published notice (IC 29-1-7.5-4). If the estate cannot close within one year, an intermediate accounting is due within thirty days after the year ends and each year after that, with a reason, estimated closing date and proposed partial distribution where possible (LR64-PR00-5700.10).
Executor duties
- File the inventory with the court within sixty days of appointment in every Porter County estate, supervised or unsupervised (LR64-PR00-5300.10, LR64-PR00-5900.20).
- Resolve bond before letters issue, and do not assume a bond waiver in the will is enough. Porter County still protects creditors and taxing authorities, and may allow a restricted account in place of a surety bond (LR64-PR00-5200.10, LR64-PR00-5200.20).
- Calendar five months and fifteen days after the first published notice. On that date the fiduciary or attorney examines the Claim Docket and allows or disallows each filed claim (LR64-PR00-5600.10).
- Sign and verify every pleading, including inventories and accountings, and expect the attorney for the fiduciary to sign too (LR64-PR00-5100.30).
- Keep vouchers, canceled checks and explanations for supervised estate accountings. Porter County does not accept an affidavit in place of vouchers or canceled checks from an individual fiduciary (LR64-PR00-5700.20).
- Before closing, get the clerk's certificate that court costs are paid and all filed claims are satisfied and released. The certificate is required before a supervised final account is approved and with an unsupervised closing statement (LR64-PR00-5700.30, LR64-PR00-5900.30).
- If estate settlement cannot finish within one year, file the intermediate accounting within thirty days after the year ends and each year after that (LR64-PR00-5700.10).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Porter County
Porter County does not publish a fill-in decedent's-estate packet, local petition, oath, notice or letters form. Instead, the county prescribes probate appendices inside its local probate rules.
| Local form or appendix | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Probate Appendix B, clerk's certificate as to costs and claims | Required at closing. The clerk certifies that court costs are paid and that filed claims have been satisfied and shown released. It is filed before a supervised final account is approved or with an unsupervised closing statement (LR64-PR00-5700.30, LR64-PR00-5900.30). |
| Probate Appendix C, maximum fee guidelines and waiver | Used in supervised estates when attorney or fiduciary fees are requested. The court's guideline is a maximum, not a minimum, and the attached waiver and consent is used when fees above the guideline are requested. |
| Probate Appendix A | Financial-institution certification for guardianship accountings. It is not a required decedent's-estate form. |
| Probate Appendix D | Physician's report for adult incapacity guardianships. It is not a decedent's-estate form. |
| Statewide small estate affidavit, CCA-EM-0722-5000 | Available through Indiana Legal Help. It is used for the Indiana small estate route and is presented to the bank or other holder, not filed with the Porter County court. |
The Porter County Clerk's forms page points readers to Indiana Legal Help for additional forms. Indiana has no statewide court-approved probate form set beyond the small estate affidavit resource described above.
Fees
The 2026 statewide court cost to open administration is not set by Porter County. For a petition for probate of will and issuance of letters, or a petition for letters of general administration, the Porter County Clerk's probate cost page itemizes the $120 probate costs fee under IC 33-37-4-7 plus IC 33-37-5 add-ons, for a $177 total under IC 33-37. The same page lists $205 when the sheriff's $28 service of process fee is collected (IC 33-37-5-15).
Do not treat that amount as the cost of every will filing. IC 33-37-4-7(c) exempts certain probate filings from a court costs fee, including offering a will for probate where no other proceeding is needed, a petition to open a safe deposit box, and filing an IC 29-1-8-4 closing statement.
Porter County has a separate local fee guideline for supervised estates. Probate Appendix C is a maximum guideline for attorney and personal representative fees paid from a supervised estate, not a court cost. It uses a graduated percentage guideline that starts at six percent on the smallest tier and steps down through four percent, three percent and one percent as the estate gets larger. In all instances, the combined total allowed to the personal representative and attorney for administering an estate may not exceed ten percent of the decedent's gross estate. In an unsupervised administration, the court does not determine or authorize attorney or fiduciary fees (LR64-PR00-5800.10, LR64-PR00-5800.20).
An estate involving Porter County real estate may also touch the Recorder. When a final decree vests real estate, Porter County requires the decree to be recorded in the county where the land sits and proof of recording given to the court (LR64-PR00-5400.30). The Porter County Recorder's fee schedule effective January 1, 2021 lists $25.00 to record a deed or other instrument, including one oversize page, and $5.00 for each additional oversize page.
Timeline
- Forty-five days after death: the Indiana small estate affidavit route opens if the gross probate estate, less liens, encumbrances and reasonable funeral expenses, is $100,000 or less for a death after June 30, 2022 (IC 29-1-8-1).
- Before letters issue: Porter County requires bond or a permitted restricted-account alternative to be addressed (LR64-PR00-5200.10, LR64-PR00-5200.20).
- After letters issue: notice of administration is published once each week for two consecutive weeks, and proof of publication is filed with the clerk within thirty days (IC 29-1-7-7). Porter County also requires notice of opening by first-class mail to all readily ascertainable creditors (LR64-PR00-5000.10).
- Within sixty days of appointment: the inventory is filed with the court in every estate, supervised or unsupervised (LR64-PR00-5300.10, LR64-PR00-5900.20).
- Three months after first publication, or nine months after death, whichever is earlier: creditor claims are forever barred (IC 29-1-14-1).
- No earlier than three months after first publication: an unsupervised estate may close by verified closing statement (IC 29-1-7.5-4).
- Five months and fifteen days after first publication: the fiduciary or attorney examines the Claim Docket and allows or disallows each filed claim (LR64-PR00-5600.10).
- Within thirty days after the first year, if the estate cannot be closed: an intermediate accounting is filed, and another is filed each year after, with the information Porter County requires (LR64-PR00-5700.10).
- Before closing: court costs are paid, filed claims are satisfied and released, and the clerk's certificate on Probate Appendix B is filed before a supervised final account is approved or with an unsupervised closing statement (LR64-PR00-5700.30, LR64-PR00-5900.30).
Local nuance
Porter County-specific considerations
| Local rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Random assignment to two estate courts | ES, EU and EM estate cases are assigned by Odyssey to Porter Superior Court 1 or Porter Superior Court 2 on an alternating, rotating, even and random basis (LR64-AR01-3000.40). The cause number tells you which court has the case. |
| Filed inventory in sixty days | Porter County requires the inventory to be filed in every estate within sixty days of appointment, including unsupervised estates (LR64-PR00-5300.10, LR64-PR00-5900.20). |
| Bond is a real local step | A will's bond waiver does not remove protection for creditors and taxing authorities. The court may reduce bond for a fiduciary's own share, limit bond when heirs or legatees ask in writing, or use discretion in an unsupervised estate (LR64-PR00-5200.10). |
| Restricted account alternative | A fiduciary may restrict estate liquid assets at a federally insured institution with Porter County's required no-withdrawal-without-order legend, then file the institution's written acknowledgment (LR64-PR00-5200.20). |
| Claim Docket review | Five months and fifteen days after the first published creditor notice, the fiduciary or attorney examines the Claim Docket and allows or disallows each claim (LR64-PR00-5600.10). |
| Closing certificate | The clerk's certificate that costs are paid and filed claims are satisfied and released is required before a supervised final account is approved and with an unsupervised closing statement (LR64-PR00-5700.30, LR64-PR00-5900.30). |
| One-year accounting | If the estate cannot close within one year, an intermediate accounting is due within thirty days after the year ends and each year after, explaining why and proposing partial distribution where possible (LR64-PR00-5700.10). |
| Central time and 4:15 cutoff | The clerk's counters close at 4:30 p.m. Central time, and new in-person filings are processed only until 4:15 p.m. Central time. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed locally |
|---|---|
| County website address | Porter County's official website now uses portercountyin.gov. Older porterco.org links point to a transition notice rather than the current clerk and court pages. |
| Local rules and caseload allocation | The current Porter County local rules include the 5000 Series probate rules and the case-assignment rule sending estates to Porter Superior Court 1 or Porter Superior Court 2. The rules took effect January 1, 2017, with later modifications including a December 2022 amendment. |
| Guardianship registry | Since January 1, 2018, the clerk cannot issue letters of guardianship until a completed Guardianship Registry Information Sheet is filed. That requirement applies to guardianships, not to letters testamentary or letters of general administration in a decedent's estate. |
| Recorder fees | The Porter County Recorder's schedule effective January 1, 2021 lists $25.00 to record a deed or other instrument, with $5.00 for each additional oversize page. This matters when an estate must record a final decree vesting real estate. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Porter County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Confirm whether the home passes outside probate by survivorship and identify what, if anything, remains in the probate estate. The surviving spouse's $25,000 allowance is claimed under IC 29-1-4-1 by election not later than ninety days after the order commencing administration. If administration is needed, Porter County's bond rule matters because a spouse who is an heir or legatee may have bond reduced by that share, but a will's bond waiver does not eliminate protection for creditors and taxing authorities (LR64-PR00-5200.10). The inventory is filed within sixty days of appointment. | Sunset helps separate survivorship assets from probate assets, organize account values, and prepare the estate settlement packet for the Porter County Clerk and the assigned court. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | First test the Indiana small estate affidavit route. For a death after June 30, 2022, if the gross probate estate less liens, encumbrances and reasonable funeral expenses is $100,000 or less, the affidavit under IC 29-1-8-1 is presented to the bank or other holder after forty-five days and is not filed in court. If administration is needed, a nonresident personal representative files a written acceptance, appoints an Indiana resident agent and addresses bond (IC 29-1-10-1(d)). Attorneys e-file, papers can be mailed with a return envelope, and the assigned court can be asked about remote appearance. | Sunset helps decide whether the affidavit route is enough, gathers institution information, and coordinates with a local attorney when a nonresident representative needs Porter County filings. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Statewide, a personal representative who needs to sell real property to pay a non-record-lien debt or administration costs faces the five-month petition and seven-month letters rule in IC 29-1-7-15.1(b). Locally, a supervised Porter County sale requires a written professional appraisal with the elements listed in LR64-PR00-5400.10 unless already filed with the inventory. The fiduciary signs and notarizes the deed before court submission, and a final decree vesting real estate must be recorded with proof returned to the court (LR64-PR00-5400.20, LR64-PR00-5400.30). | Sunset helps collect deed, mortgage, tax and account information, build the filing checklist for a house sale, and connect the family with a vetted Porter County probate attorney. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps in Porter County |
|---|---|
| Porter County Clerk's Office | Filing counter for estates, clerk hours, e-filing statement, MyCase link and probate cost page. Main counter: 16 Lincolnway, Suite 211, Valparaiso. |
| Porter County local rules | The current local rules, including the 5000 Series Porter County Local Probate Rules and Probate Appendices A through D. |
| Porter County on the Indiana Judicial Branch site | Judicial District 2 information, local rules, court directory, e-filing link, case search link and court statistics. |
| MyCase | Indiana's public case search. Search Porter County estate cases by decedent name or by a 64D01 or 64D02 cause number. |
| Indiana Legal Help, Estate topic | Coalition for Court Access estate information, Probate FAQ, Small Estate FAQ and the CCA-EM-0722-5000 small estate affidavit. |
| Indiana Legal Services, Merrillville office | Free civil legal aid for eligible low-income Hoosiers. The Merrillville office serves Porter County and posts Central time hours. |
| NWI Volunteer Lawyers, Inc. | Pro bono civil legal help serving Porter County and nearby counties. Its listed subjects include wills, but intake decides whether a matter fits. |
| Indiana Free Legal Answers | Free, confidential answers to civil legal questions from volunteer Indiana attorneys. |
| Indiana e-filing information | Indiana E-Filing System information, provider list and user guides. Attorneys e-file, and unrepresented litigants are encouraged but not required to e-file. |
When to hire an attorney
Porter County does not have a local rule that flatly bars a personal representative from filing without a lawyer, and the Clerk's page says a person without an attorney may file with the Clerk's Office. The probate rules, however, are written for lawyer-led administration: estate pleadings, inventories and accountings must be signed by the attorney for the fiduciary as well as signed and verified by the fiduciary, attorneys prepare orders, and the attorney is responsible for notice, publication, certified-mail service and proof of service (LR64-PR00-5000.10, LR64-PR00-5100.20, LR64-PR00-5100.30). Counsel is especially useful when the estate has real estate to sell, creditor claims, bond issues, a nonresident personal representative, or a supervised accounting. Sunset connects families with a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families identify bank, brokerage, insurance and other financial accounts before a Porter County filing is started. That matters because the asset list decides whether the Indiana small estate affidavit is enough, what bond the court may set, and what must be filed in the sixty-day inventory.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the petition, the personal representative, the asset list, notices, inventory and closing steps. In Porter County, Sunset also helps families track local requirements like the 64D01 or 64D02 assignment, the Claim Docket review, the clerk's certificate and the one-year accounting trigger.
Find a local probate attorney. Porter County's probate rules expect attorney signatures and attorney-prepared orders in estate administration. Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Indiana probate attorney who understands Porter Superior Court 1, Porter Superior Court 2 and the county's local probate rules.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, find assets, understand the next filing step and connect with legal help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Porter County?
File with the Clerk of the Porter Circuit Court at the Porter County Courthouse, 16 Lincolnway, Suite 211, Valparaiso, IN 46383. The clerk's main phone is (219) 465-3450. Porter County also has a clerk counter at the Portage North County Annex, but estate cases are assigned to Porter Superior Court 1 or Porter Superior Court 2 in Valparaiso.
Which Porter County court will hear the estate?
Porter County's caseload rule chooses the court. Supervised estates, unsupervised estates and miscellaneous estate matters are assigned by Odyssey on an alternating, rotating, even and random basis to Porter Superior Court 1 or Porter Superior Court 2 (LR64-AR01-3000.40). A cause number beginning 64D01 means Superior Court 1, and one beginning 64D02 means Superior Court 2.
Can I e-file a Porter County probate case myself?
Attorneys file through the Indiana E-Filing System, and unrepresented litigants are encouraged but not required to e-file (Ind. Trial Rule 87). The Porter County Clerk says attorney pleadings are e-filed and that a person filing without an attorney may file with the Clerk's Office. Because LR64-PR00-5100.30 expects an attorney signature on estate pleadings, ask the clerk and the assigned court how that rule will be handled before planning to proceed alone.
What does it cost to open an estate in Porter County?
The 2026 statewide cost for a petition for probate of will and issuance of letters, or a petition for letters of general administration, is $177 under IC 33-37. Porter County lists $205 when the sheriff's $28 service of process fee is collected (IC 33-37-5-15). Some filings are exempt from a court costs fee under IC 33-37-4-7(c), including offering a will for probate where nothing else is needed.
What time does the Porter County Clerk close?
The clerk's counters are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time. New in-person filings are processed only until 4:15 p.m. Central time.
How do I look up a Porter County estate case online?
Use MyCase at mycase.in.gov. Search by the decedent's name or by the cause number. Porter County estate case types appear as EU, ES or EM, and the cause number begins 64D01 or 64D02 depending on which estate court has the case.
Are there Porter County probate forms?
Porter County publishes probate appendices inside its local probate rules, not a fill-in estate packet. Probate Appendix B is the clerk's certificate as to costs and claims used at closing, and Probate Appendix C is the maximum fee guideline and waiver for supervised estates. There is no local petition, oath, notice or letters form for a decedent's estate.
When is the inventory due in a Porter County estate?
Within sixty days of appointment, and it is filed with the court in every estate, supervised or unsupervised (LR64-PR00-5300.10, LR64-PR00-5900.20).
Can I appear remotely for a Porter County probate hearing?
Indiana Administrative Rule 14 allows a court to hold a non-testimonial hearing remotely at the court's discretion, while a hearing with sworn testimony is in person unless there is good cause or the parties agree. Porter County publishes no separate estate remote-appearance rule, so call the assigned court: Porter Superior Court 1 at (219) 465-3410 or Porter Superior Court 2 at (219) 465-3411.
Do I have to travel to Valparaiso?
Not always. Attorneys e-file, and papers can be mailed to the clerk with a self-addressed stamped envelope for returned papers (LR64-PR00-5100.10). A nonresident personal representative may serve by filing the required written acceptance, resident-agent appointment and bond paperwork under IC 29-1-10-1(d). If a hearing is set, ask the assigned court whether remote appearance is available for that specific hearing.
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.