Quick answer: the deadline that matters most in Indiana is the three-month creditor claim window under IC 29-1-14-1, with claims absolutely barred nine months after death regardless of notice. See the full Indiana probate timeline calculator for your specific estimate.
The core deadlines, in order
| Deadline | Indiana rule | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Publish creditor notice | Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks | IC 29-1-7-7(b) |
| File proof of publication | Within 30 days after publication | IC 29-1-7-7(b) |
| Mail notice to known creditors | Within 1 month of first publication | IC 29-1-7-7(d) |
| Creditor claim window | 3 months from first publication | IC 29-1-14-1 |
| Late-notice creditor's extension | 2 months from actual notice given | IC 29-1-7-7(e) |
| Absolute claim bar | 9 months from date of death, no exceptions | IC 29-1-7-7(e) |
| PR allows/disallows claims | By 3 months 15 days after first publication | IC 29-1-14-10 |
Why the nine-month bar is the real backstop
Indiana's three-month window under IC 29-1-14-1 is what most estates plan around — but IC 29-1-7-7(e)'s nine-month absolute bar is what closes every remaining gap. Even a creditor who was never properly notified, or whose claim fell through some procedural crack, is still permanently barred once nine months from the date of death have passed. This gives Indiana estates real, calculable finality even when notice wasn't handled perfectly.
A short publication window, a real deadline anyway
Indiana's two-week publication requirement is shorter than the three- or four-week windows some other states require — but that doesn't shrink the underlying three-month claim period, since that clock starts at first publication regardless of how long the publication itself takes to complete. Filing proof of that publication within 30 days keeps the estate's own paperwork on track.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.