Daviess County Probate Records

Daviess County probate court records are maintained by the Daviess County Clerk at 200 E Walnut Street in Washington, Indiana. The clerk's office is the official custodian for all estate filings, guardianship cases, will deposits, trust registrations, and other probate-related court documents in Daviess County. The Circuit Court handles all probate jurisdiction for the county. You can search Daviess County probate court records online through the Indiana MyCase portal at no cost, or visit the clerk's office in Washington during regular business hours to request certified copies or review case files in person.

Daviess County Clerk of Courts

County Clerk Lauren Milton heads the Daviess County Clerk's office at 200 E Walnut Street in Washington, Indiana. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. As described on the county website, "The Clerk's Office is the record-keeper for all county-level court cases - civil, criminal, traffic tickets, estates, guardianships, and juveniles." This makes the Daviess County Clerk's office the starting point for any probate court records search in the county.

The office has a full staff of specialists who handle different case types. Lindsey Upton serves as the Family Law Specialist. Brandy Stephens handles juvenile cases. Danielle Ahlert covers small claims matters. For estates and guardianships, which form the core of Daviess County probate court records, contact the main office at the number below and ask which staff member handles those case types.

The office also "issues marriage licenses, processes child support and judgment payments, issues warrants, and oversees and conducts all elections." The breadth of duties means the clerk's office has staff with specialized knowledge for different record types, including Daviess County probate filings.

Search Daviess County Probate Records Online

Daviess County joined Indiana's Odyssey case management system in December 2019. The MyCase portal covers Daviess County probate court records from that date forward. Search by name or case number to find estate filings, guardianship proceedings, trust cases, and other probate records filed in Daviess County since late 2019.

Because the Daviess County MyCase launch is relatively recent, a large portion of Daviess County probate records from earlier years exist only in paper form at the Washington courthouse. For those older files, call 812-254-8664 to ask about availability and request copies. The staff can search paper indexes by name and pull older estate or guardianship files on request. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you send a written request for Daviess County probate records by mail.

The Indiana courts directory for Daviess County provides links to the clerk and courts in Washington. For statewide record access guidance, check the Indiana courts public records page.

Note: Any document request at the Daviess County Clerk will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the current workload of the office.

Daviess County Probate Court Record Types

Daviess County probate court records include the full range of legal proceedings that deal with estates, guardianship, and related matters. Indiana law under IC 29-1-7-1 sets venue for probate cases in the county where the person last lived. So all Daviess County residents' estate cases are handled by the Washington courthouse.

The Daviess County Clerk maintains the following probate record types:

• Estate cases (supervised and unsupervised administration)
• Will filings and will probate proceedings
• Guardianship cases for minors and incapacitated adults
• Trust court proceedings
• Juvenile cases involving minors
• Marriage licenses

The clerk's office also handles civil and criminal cases, which can include estate litigation or contested probate matters. If a Daviess County probate case involves a dispute over a will or trust, those filings would be in the civil case records. The same clerk's office manages both, so a single visit covers the range of records you might need.

Filing Fees and Copy Costs in Daviess County

Copy fees for Daviess County probate court records follow Indiana state law. Under IC 33-37-5-1, court record copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $3 certification fee under IC 33-37-5-3. These state-mandated fees apply to all Daviess County probate documents you request from the clerk's office.

For filing a new probate case in Daviess County, the standard estate filing fee is approximately $177. The exact amount depends on the specific type of probate proceeding you are initiating. Call the main office at 812-254-8664 to confirm the current fee schedule before you file. The small claims manual referenced on the county website may also be helpful if your matter involves small claims alongside a probate case.

Payment for in-person copy requests should be made at the clerk's office counter in Washington. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods. For mail requests, use a check or money order payable to the Daviess County Clerk. The Indiana courts public records page gives general guidance on access costs and procedures across Indiana.

Daviess County Clerk Office Images

The official Daviess County Clerk's page at daviess.org/1210/Clerks-Office shows office details, duties, and how to contact the Washington office for Daviess County probate court records.

This page covers the clerk's record-keeping role for all Daviess County court cases including estates, guardianships, and other probate proceedings.

The staff directory at daviess.org/Directory.aspx?did=21 lists the clerk and all deputies by name and specialty, making it easy to reach the right person for your Daviess County probate records question.

The directory shows the full team at the Daviess County Clerk's office, with individual specialties noted so you can direct your probate records inquiry to the right person.

Nearby Counties

Daviess County is in southwestern Indiana. These neighboring counties each maintain probate court records through their own clerk offices.