Indiana § 29-1-8-3 - Disbursement and distribution of estate

Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 29-1-8-3 — Disbursement and distribution of estate, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 29-1-8-3. Disbursement and distribution of estate

Sec. 3. (a) As used in this section, "fiduciary" means:

(1) the personal representative of an unsupervised estate; or

(2) a person appointed by a court under this title to act on behalf of the decedent or the decedent's distributees.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the value of a decedent's gross probate estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the sum of:

(1) an amount equal to:

(A) twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), for the estate of an individual who dies before July 1, 2006;

(B) fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), for the estate of an individual who dies after June 30, 2006, and before July 1, 2022; and

(C) one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), for the estate of an individual who dies after June 30, 2022;

(2) the costs and expenses of administration; and

(3) reasonable funeral expenses;

the fiduciary, without giving notice to creditors, may disburse and distribute the estate to the persons entitled to it, followed by the filing of a closing statement, as provided in section 4 of this chapter.

(c) If an estate described in subsection (b) includes real property, an affidavit may be recorded in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real property is located. The affidavit must contain the following:

(1) The legal description of the real property.

(2) The following statements:

(A) If the individual dies after June 30, 2006, and before July 1, 2022, the following statement: "It appears that the decedent's gross probate estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the sum of the following: fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), the costs and expenses of administration, and reasonable funeral expenses.".

(B) If the individual dies before July 1, 2006, the following statement: "It appears that the decedent's gross probate estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the sum of the following: twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), the costs and expenses of administration, and reasonable funeral expenses.".

(C) If the individual dies after June 30, 2022, the following statement: "It appears that the decedent's gross probate estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the sum of the following: one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the costs and expenses of administration, and reasonable funeral expenses.".

(3) The name of each person entitled to at least a part interest in the real property as a result of a decedent's death, the share to which each person is entitled, and whether the share is a divided or undivided interest.

(4) A statement which explains how each person's share has been determined.

Formerly: Acts 1953, c.112, s.803; Acts 1959, c.239, s.1; Acts 1965, c.379, s.3; Acts 1971, P.L.406, SEC.2; Acts 1975, P.L.288, SEC.14. As amended by P.L.146-1984, SEC.2; P.L.118-1997, SEC.17; P.L.42-1998, SEC.2; P.L.95-2007, SEC.8; P.L.220-2011, SEC.473; P.L.194-2017, SEC.4; P.L.231-2019, SEC.14; P.L.56-2020, SEC.5; P.L.105-2022, SEC.19; P.L.151-2022, SEC.2; P.L.162-2022, SEC.8.

Source: official Indiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 29-1-8-3

What does Indiana Code § 29-1-8-3 cover?

Section 29-1-8-3 ("Disbursement and distribution of estate") is part of the Indiana Code, the codified statutory law of Indiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Indiana § 29-1-8-3?

A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 29-1-8-3" (Indiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Indiana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Indiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Indiana attorney.

How does Indiana § 29-1-8-3 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Indiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Indiana.