Access Plainfield Probate Court Records

Plainfield probate court records are maintained by Hendricks County, not the Town of Plainfield. All wills, estate administrations, guardianship petitions, and related probate filings for Plainfield residents are held at the Hendricks County Courthouse in Danville, the county seat. Danville is a short drive west of Plainfield. You can search Plainfield probate records online at no cost using Indiana's MyCase portal. To get certified copies of wills, letters testamentary, or other estate documents, contact the Hendricks County Clerk in Danville directly or submit a mail request.

Which Court Handles Plainfield Probate

Plainfield is a town in Hendricks County. Probate jurisdiction belongs to the county, so all estate and guardianship filings for Plainfield residents go to the Hendricks County Circuit and Superior Courts in Danville. The Hendricks County Clerk serves as the official record keeper for all these cases.

Plainfield's town government does not maintain probate records. Under IC 29-1-7-1, probate venue is set by where the decedent lived. If they lived in Plainfield, the estate goes to Hendricks County. The town clerk's office on the town website handles municipal matters only. For wills and estates, you need the county clerk in Danville.

Hendricks County converted to the Odyssey Case Management System in October 2011. Cases filed since then are searchable through MyCase. The clerk has a dedicated Appeal/Probate Clerk, Melanie Raleigh, who focuses specifically on probate-related requests.

Hendricks County Clerk Contact Information

Marjorie Pike is the Clerk of the Circuit and Superior Courts for Hendricks County. Her office handles all probate filings for Plainfield residents.

• Address: Hendricks County Courthouse, 51 W Main St, Suite 104, Danville, IN 46122
• Phone: (317) 745-9231
• Court Records Clerk: (317) 745-9705
• Appeal/Probate Clerk: Melanie Raleigh
• Chief Deputy: (317) 745-9296
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Marriage License Processing: Stops at 3:30 p.m.

Note that the courthouse can only be entered through the West Security Entrance. Cell phones are prohibited in Superior Court 5. If you are visiting for probate records, ask for Melanie Raleigh or the Appeal/Probate section when you arrive. Bring valid ID and any case numbers or decedent information you have ready.

The clerk's office maintains records for civil, criminal, estate (probate), guardianship, juvenile, paternity, and traffic cases. Estate records are retained permanently, so older files should still be accessible.

Search Plainfield Probate Records Online

The Indiana MyCase portal covers Hendricks County cases going back to the October 2011 Odyssey launch. Search by the decedent's name, case number, or attorney. The portal is free and does not require an account. Results show case summaries, parties, docket entries, and in some cases document images. If the document you need is not viewable online, contact the clerk at (317) 745-9231 or (317) 745-9705 for a copy request.

The Hendricks County Clerk's page has information about fees, office procedures, and prohibited items in the courthouse. The county courts page lists all active courts and contact numbers.

For records before October 2011, you will need to visit the courthouse in person to review paper indexes and files. Historical records from before Odyssey are not available through MyCase but are preserved in the clerk's office.

Types of Probate Records in Plainfield

Estate and guardianship records for Plainfield residents are all kept at Hendricks County. The clerk's office specifically lists these categories:

• Estates (Probates): Wills admitted to probate, inventory, accounting, and final distribution records
• Guardianships: Court appointments for minors and adults who need protection
• Civil cases: Including trust-related petitions and creditor claims in estates
• Marriage licenses: Issued by the clerk's office
• Paternity cases: Filed alongside family law matters

Indiana Code governs all probate matters. Wills deposited for safekeeping before the testator dies are not public records during the person's lifetime. Once the person dies, the will becomes a public document once filed for probate. The Hendricks County Clerk can confirm whether a deposited will exists, though they may not be able to share its contents until probate is opened.

Probate Filing Fees in Hendricks County

Filing an estate for a Plainfield resident costs $177. This is the statewide standard set by IC 33-37-4-7. The fee includes the base $120 Probate Costs Fee plus $20 for Automated Record Keeping, $20 for Judicial Salaries, $5 for Court Administration, $5 for Document Storage, $5 for Public Defense Administration, $1 for Judicial Insurance Adjustment, and $1 for Pro Bono Legal Services.

Copy fees run $1.00 per page under IC 33-37-5-1. Certified copies cost $3.00 per document under IC 33-37-5-3. Electronic filing is required for all attorney pleadings in Hendricks County. Self-represented parties may file in person.

How to Get Copies of Plainfield Probate Records

You can get probate records from Hendricks County through these methods:

In person: Visit 51 W Main St, Suite 104, Danville. Enter through the West Security Entrance. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Contact Melanie Raleigh for probate-specific requests. Bring the decedent's name and estimated case year.

By phone: Call (317) 745-9231 or the Court Records Clerk at (317) 745-9705. Staff can check whether a case exists and advise on how to get copies. Email for the Court Records Clerk is bott@co.hendricks.in.us.

Online: Search through MyCase first to confirm the case details. If you need certified copies, you will need to request them through the clerk's office either in person or by mail. Online payment is available through Indiana's payment portal.

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

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