Estate Planning

January 22, 2026

Indiana Probate Court Local Rules and Trust Administration Filing Details Families Miss

Probate and trust administration in Indiana can feel routine until a filing is rejected, a hearing is continued, or a family learns that a county has its own procedural requirements. State statutes set the framework, yet local court rules often control the day-to-day mechanics that determine whether a matter moves smoothly. A missed requirement can delay appointment of a personal representative, slow access to accounts, or create unnecessary friction among family members who already feel stretched.

Local rules rarely change the underlying rights of heirs, beneficiaries, or fiduciaries. Procedure still shapes how quickly those rights become practical. A personal representative may have authority on paper, while a bank waits for letters issued in the precise format the clerk requires. A trustee may need court guidance, while the court expects filings to follow local filing sequence and formatting rules. Families who know what to expect at the county level tend to avoid avoidable setbacks.

Indiana Probate Court Local Rules

December 23, 2025

How Updated Bank Verification Rules Affect Estate Administration For Indiana Families In 2025

by Burton A. Padove

Financial institutions have tightened their verification and authentication procedures following several well-publicized fraud incidents between 2024 and 2025. These policy shifts now influence how personal representatives, surviving spouses, and agents under powers of attorney access accounts after a customer dies. Indiana families may notice that tasks which once required a simple set of documents now demand multiple forms of proof, repeated communication with support teams, or additional in-person authentication. Understanding these requirements helps reduce administrative delays and provides families with a more straightforward path through the estate process.

Institutions adopted these changes because attempted account takeovers increased nationwide. Fraudsters targeted accounts belonging to deceased customers, especially those tied to online banking platforms and mobile verification tools, which exposed gaps in older security practices. As a result, banks, credit unions, and fintech providers rolled out stronger identity checks before they release information or funds to anyone claiming authority over an account. Families now deal with a more structured, sometimes slower process when they settle a loved one’s affairs, which is one reason it helps to speak with an estate planning attorney who understands how these verification rules affect real-world administration.

Verification Standards Have Expanded Across Traditional Banks And Fintech Platforms

November 30, 2025

The Rising Trend Of Digital Estate Audits And How AI-Generated Assets Shape Inheritance

by Burton A. Padove

Digital estate audits have become one of the most critical developments in estate planning in 2025. Families now generate value in ways that traditional documents never contemplated, and many do not realize how much of their wealth exists online. Artificial intelligence tools, subscription platforms, cloud storage systems, cryptocurrency, and monetized digital content have created a new category of property. Courts and financial institutions have responded with updated verification requirements, and personal representatives must now navigate policies that feel more like cybersecurity procedures than classic estate administration.

These changes affect every family, but the impact becomes significant when the decedent created AI-generated content, operated multiple digital accounts, or held assets protected by multi-factor authentication. Understanding how digital estate audits work helps families plan and protect information that might otherwise become inaccessible during administration.

Digital Estate Audits Are Becoming Standard For Modern Administration

July 31, 2025

Should You Create a Will or a Trust in Indiana?

by Burton A. Padove

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.

July 15, 2025

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Indiana?

by Burton A. Padove

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