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Indiana recently updated its probate code, and those changes took effect on July 1, 2025. The amendments refine how wills are interpreted, how estates are administered, and how courts handle filings and closing procedures. These updates modernize estate administration across the state, giving families clearer direction and streamlining several technical requirements. If you already have a will or you serve as a personal representative for a loved one’s estate, understanding the new rules can help you avoid costly mistakes and delays.

Key Updates In The 2025 Indiana Probate Amendments

The 2025 legislative session produced a series of changes under Indiana Code Title 29. Lawmakers aimed to align state law with current probate practices and improve the administration of supervised and unsupervised estates. The revisions address several areas that affect both personal representatives and beneficiaries.

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The Indiana Court of Appeals recently issued a decision that highlights how disputes can unfold when families manage supervised estates. In Daniel L. Stephan v. Douglas Stephan, et al., the court explained what happens when heirs disagree over property control and how courts oversee the personal representative’s actions. The ruling shows that even straightforward estate plans can create conflict when asset management, authority, or documentation are handled inconsistently.

Overview of The Stephan Estate Dispute

The Stephan family’s case began as a supervised estate proceeding in Indiana. Supervised administration means the court must approve significant steps taken by the personal representative, including asset transfers, distributions, and closing documents. Disagreement arose over how property should be handled and whether one family member overstepped their role. The appeal focused on the trial court’s oversight duties and the limits on an individual’s authority within a supervised estate.

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A recent crash right across the state line took the life of an Indiana motorcyclist. A vehicle crossed the center line on a rural road and collided head-on with the motorcycle. The rider was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving family and friends in grief and financial distress. If you are faced with a similar loss, you may still have legal options in Indiana courts even when the crash occurred elsewhere.

Indiana allows wrongful death claims when the decedent was a resident, and damages often reflect Indiana standards regarding loss of support and emotional suffering. That matters even if the accident happened in another state. Your family may recover for medical costs, funeral expenses, lost income, and pain or suffering under Indiana law. Fatal motorcycle accidents frequently result from a driver’s violation of lane safety and lack of care, not just misfortune. It is critical to understand what factors may strengthen or weaken a wrongful death claim.

What Happens When a Crash Involves an Indiana Resident

When a crash occurs just outside Indiana but involves an Indiana rider or resident, you must consider how Indiana law may still govern certain aspects of the case. The accident site usually sets the procedures for liability and initial claims, but a nearby state’s law may not extend to damages calculated here. If the deceased lived in Indiana and was financially connected to Indiana residents, courts may allow the case to go forward under Indiana remedies. That can significantly affect the amount and type of damages available.

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A landmark decision from the Indiana Supreme Court outlines how medical malpractice victims may recover maximum compensation when more than one provider contributes to an injury. In Abbas v. Neter‑Nu, the court upheld a jury verdict in favor of the patient but clarified how prejudgment interest and liability caps apply when multiple healthcare professionals share responsibility.

If you suffered harm due to mistreatment by several providers, understanding this ruling is essential before seeking damages recovery in Indiana courts.

What the Court Ruled in Abbas v. Neter‑Nu

In a case involving a below-knee amputation following negligent medical care, the Supreme Court affirmed the jury’s decision and made key clarifications. First, the court confirmed that if multiple healthcare professionals are at fault, each may be held fully liable up to the statutory cap. Second, prejudgment interest must be calculated based on each defendant’s capped liability separately, not jointly.

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If you lost a loved one or suffered injuries in a crash caused by someone who disregarded a stop sign, you may have legal options under Indiana law. Earlier this month in Elkhart County, two people were killed and two others injured when a vehicle entered the intersection of County Roads 40 and 17 without stopping. Police reported that the vehicle failed to obey a posted stop sign before colliding with another car. This tragedy illustrates how quickly negligent driving decisions can result in devastating consequences and why victims and families should understand their rights.

How Stop Sign Violations Create Legal Liability

Stop signs exist to regulate intersections and prevent dangerous collisions. When a driver ignores one, they create a foreseeable risk of harm to others. Indiana traffic laws require drivers to stop fully, yield to oncoming vehicles, and proceed only when safe. Failing to do so is considered negligence. In civil court, proving negligence involves showing that the driver had a duty to obey the traffic law, breached that duty by failing to stop, and caused injuries or fatalities as a result. In cases like the Elkhart County crash, the sequence of events often makes that negligence clear.

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Several people were injured on July 6, 2025, when a JB Hunt semi-truck collided with multiple vehicles and overturned on I-65 near Lowell, Indiana. The crash shut down both directions of the interstate, causing significant delays during a busy travel weekend. If you were involved in a crash like this one and suffered injuries, contact an attorney if you need help dealing with medical bills, missed work, or pushy insurance companies.

Multiple Injuries Reported After Highway Collision Involving JB Hunt Truck

The crash occurred in the northbound lanes just after 3 p.m. Police say the driver of the semi veered into a guardrail, lost control, and struck at least three passenger vehicles before overturning across the roadway. One of the impacted vehicles hit a concrete divider, while another was forced off the road.

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If you want to make sure your property goes to the right people when you die, you have two primary estate planning tools to choose from: a will or a trust. Each serves a different purpose and offers its own benefits. Deciding which one is right for you depends on your goals, your family situation, and how you want your estate handled after you pass away.

Both wills and trusts help distribute your assets, but they work in different ways. Understanding the differences now can help you avoid confusion, delays, and unnecessary costs later. You do not have to figure it out alone. Working with an estate planning attorney ensures you choose the best path forward for your specific needs.

How a Will Works Under Indiana Law

A will is a legal document that directs how your property should be distributed when you die. You can use a will to name beneficiaries, appoint a personal representative, and choose a guardian for minor children. It also allows you to spell out your funeral preferences or leave specific gifts to friends and relatives.

When you die with a valid will, your estate goes through probate. This is the court-supervised process where your debts are paid and your assets are distributed according to your instructions. In Indiana, probate can take several months to complete. Although it is a public process, it may still be manageable for smaller or simpler estates.

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If you pass away without a valid will in Indiana, state law decides who inherits your property—regardless of your personal wishes. This is called intestate succession. Without a will, your loved ones may face confusion, delays, and even legal disputes. You lose the ability to choose who receives your assets, who manages your affairs, and who looks after your children.

Indiana’s intestate laws are not flexible. They follow a fixed formula, even when those outcomes feel unfair to your surviving family. If you want to protect your loved ones and make your own choices, creating a legally valid will is one of the most important steps you can take.

How Indiana Intestate Succession Works

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A four-vehicle crash in LaPorte County recently sent shockwaves through the community after two mini school buses were involved in the collision. These buses were transporting students for the LaPorte County Public Library system, a reminder that even educational or recreational trips come with serious risks. Although no students were seriously hurt in this crash, not all families are so lucky. Accidents involving school buses or summer camp transportation can lead to devastating injuries and long-term trauma.

If your child is hurt while riding a school or camp bus in Indiana, you may have the right to pursue compensation. These cases often involve multiple layers of responsibility, including the bus company, the driver, and the organization that arranged the trip. An Indiana injury attorney can help families hold these parties accountable when negligence plays a role.

How Bus Accidents Happen During the School Year

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High-speed traffic corridors like I-65 often become the site of devastating accidents that change lives in an instant. A recent deadly crash on the ramp connecting Interstate 65 southbound to Interstate 465 southbound in Indianapolis reinforces how quickly tragedy can unfold on Indiana highways. When fatal collisions occur on roads like this, families are left reeling. The impact extends beyond grief, bringing unanswered questions, steep costs, and legal uncertainty.

You deserve answers, especially if your loved one was hurt or killed in a highway collision. Understanding what causes these crashes, who may be at fault, and what legal options exist should not fall on you alone. An experienced injury lawyer can handle the legal burdens while you focus on healing.

A Recent I-65 Fatality Draws Attention to Ramp Safety Concerns

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