Find Probate Records in Lawrence, Indiana

Lawrence probate court records are filed through Marion County, not the City of Lawrence. Lawrence is part of the Indianapolis metro area, and all probate matters for Lawrence residents go through the Marion County court system. Wills, estate administrations, guardianship cases, and trust filings are maintained by the Marion County Clerk's Office in Indianapolis. You can search Lawrence probate records online at no cost through Indiana's MyCase portal. The Clerk's Office handles requests for certified copies in person at the City-County Building or by mail.

Which Court Handles Lawrence Probate

Lawrence is a city in Marion County. All probate filings for Lawrence residents go to the Marion County Circuit Court and Clerk's Office in Indianapolis. There is no city-level probate court. The City of Lawrence has its own clerk, Leatrice Adkisson, but her office handles only municipal records: city council minutes, ordinances, and similar documents. She cannot help with probate matters.

Marion County has a consolidated city-county government structure called UniGov. Because of this, the Marion County Clerk's Office serves both city and county residents. The clerk, Kate Sweeney Bell, oversees records at multiple office locations. For probate matters specifically, you will want to contact the Records Facility or the City-County Building location.

Marion County Clerk Contact Information

Marion County maintains multiple office locations. For probate records, the Records Facility is the primary location.

• City-County Building: 200 E. Washington Street W122, Indianapolis, IN 46204
• Records Facility: 1330 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46225
• Community Justice Campus: 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203
• Phone: (317) 327-4740
• Email: clerkpublic@indy.gov
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Marion County Recorder's Office handles related property records. Their address is 200 E. Washington Street, Suite 1041, Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone (317) 327-4020. You can reach them at recorder@indy.gov. If an estate involves real estate transfers, you may need records from both the clerk and the recorder.

Search Lawrence Probate Records Online

Two online resources let you search for probate cases connected to Lawrence residents. The first is the Indiana MyCase portal, which is free and covers all Indiana counties. Search by the decedent's name or case number to find estate and guardianship filings. Case summaries, party names, hearing dates, and some documents are available.

The second resource is the Marion County Clerk's public portal, which focuses specifically on Marion County cases and may have more detailed information for recent filings. If you find a case but cannot view the documents you need, call the clerk at (317) 327-4740 or submit an online request at indy.gov.

Marion County's records go back many years. For very old probate files, the Indiana State Archives at 6440 E. 30th Street in Indianapolis holds historical court records. You can contact the archives by phone at (317) 591-5222.

Types of Probate Records in Lawrence

Probate records cover legal matters that arise when someone dies or when a person needs court-supervised protection. For Lawrence residents, all of these file with Marion County:

• Wills and testaments: Filed with the clerk after death to begin the probate process
• Estate administration: Supervised and unsupervised proceedings, including asset inventories and final accountings
• Guardianships: Court oversight for minors or adults who cannot manage their personal affairs
• Conservatorships: Financial management for protected individuals
• Mental health commitments: These are retained permanently alongside other probate records
• Adoption records: Confidential under Indiana law; not publicly accessible

Under IC 29-1-7-1, venue for probate is set based on where the decedent lived. A Lawrence resident's estate always goes to Marion County regardless of where heirs or attorneys are located. Marion County records include circuit court case records, probate filings, marriage licenses, and child support records.

Probate Filing Fees for Lawrence Residents

The probate filing fee in Indiana is $177 statewide. This applies to Lawrence cases filed in Marion County. The fee is set by the Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual under IC 33-37-4-7. It covers the Probate Costs Fee ($120), Automated Record Keeping ($20), Judicial Salaries ($20), Court Administration ($5), Document Storage ($5), Public Defense Administration ($5), Judicial Insurance Adjustment ($1), and Pro Bono Legal Services ($1).

Copy fees are $1.00 per page under IC 33-37-5-1. Certified copies require an additional $3.00 per document. As of July 1, 2021, that $3.00 certification fee applies regardless of how many pages the document contains. So a ten-page will costs $13 for a certified copy: $10 for pages plus $3 to certify.

Marion County accepts payment online through Indiana's court payment portal. You can also pay in person at any clerk location.

How to Get Copies of Lawrence Probate Records

You can request Marion County probate records three ways.

In person: Visit the Records Facility at 1330 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Have the decedent's full name and any case number ready. Staff can locate files and provide copies on the spot for smaller requests.

Online: Submit a request at indy.gov. You can also use the online public record request form at the same site. Marion County makes this process fairly simple. Some records are accessible directly through MyCase without any formal request.

By mail: Send a written request to the Marion County Clerk at 200 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Include the decedent's name, approximate dates, specific documents needed, and payment or a request for a fee quote. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents.

The Marion County Court website at marioncountycourt.org has additional information on accessing court records. The main clerk site at indy.gov has forms and contact details for all Marion County probate services.

The Indiana MyCase portal shown below provides free public access to Marion County probate cases for Lawrence residents.

For full Marion County probate court information, visit our Marion County probate records page.

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