Quick answer: Indiana's probate court filing fee is a flat $177 statewide — a $120 probate costs fee (IC 33-37-4-7) plus $57 of statutory add-on fees. It does not scale with the estate's value, which makes Indiana one of the cheaper states for court costs.
Why Indiana's fee is a flat amount
Indiana probate is filed with the Circuit or Superior Court of the county where the person lived. Unlike states such as North Carolina (a percentage) or Tennessee (variable by county), Indiana sets a flat statutory court cost that is the same regardless of estate size: a $120 probate costs fee plus $57 in add-on fees, for $177. Marion (Indianapolis), Lake (Gary), Allen (Fort Wayne) and Hamilton (Carmel) all charge the same core fee. Some sources quote $150–$250 once minor local charges are included, but the statutory core is $177.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Probate costs fee (IC 33-37-4-7) | $120 |
| Statutory add-on fees | $57 |
| Total court filing fee | $177 |
Flat statewide; minor county charges (certified copies, publication) are extra. Confirm with the county clerk before filing.
Other court-related costs
- Notice to creditors — publication in a local newspaper; roughly $80–$150. Creditors then have 3 months to file claims.
- Certified Letters Testamentary / of Administration — needed by banks and title; a few dollars each.
- Surety bond — not required by default for unsupervised administration; if ordered, the premium runs ~0.5% of the estate per year.
- Small estate affidavit — costs nothing in court, because it is presented to the bank or asset holder, not filed.
Where the filing fee sits in the total
At $177, the filing fee is a tiny part of Indiana probate — the personal representative and attorney fees dominate. See the whole picture in the Indiana probate cost breakdown, learn about attorney fees, or estimate your total with the Indiana probate cost calculator.