The Small Estate Affidavit may be helpful when an Estate has not been opened.

Please click the following link to access the State's form #54985.

Small Estate Affidavit Form

If a Small Estate needs to be established through the Court System, the cost is $177.00 and the assistance of an attorney may be of benefit.

Neither the Hancock County Clerk nor staff may give legal opinion or advice; therefore, contacting an attorney may be best. It is recognized that some people involved in litigation would prefer to handle matters on their own, so this page is to assist in navigating the court system.

The State of Indiana has developed a self-service website to download the forms for name change. Please follow this link to access the website, Indiana Supreme Court: Self-Service Legal Center, to locate the packet suitable for the circumstance and select the ELECTRONIC FILLABLE OPTION.

The following items are required to make application for name change in Hancock County:

1. PRO SE APPEARANCE:  Need 1 original
2. VERIFIED PETITION: Need 3 with original signatures on each
3. NOTICE OF HEARING: Need 3 originals
4. ORDER ON VERIFIED PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME: Need 4 originals.
5. NOTICE OF FILING OF PROOF OF PUBLICATION:  This should be filed AFTER publication in the local paper, but BEFORE the hearing for name change
6. CONSENT TO CHANGE OF NAME OF MINOR:  Need 3 with original signatures on each.  (THIS IS ONLY NEEDED IF PETITION TO CHANGE THE NAME OF A MINOR CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 18).

Please bring all completed forms to the Clerk's office along with the filing fee of $156.00.

Please bring Cash or Money Order

The Hancock County Clerk’s Office does not accept personal checks.

The Clerk's office is here to assist in any way possible.  On this page, we hope to provide information that will be helpful to you as you prepare items to file with the Clerk's office.

The filing fee schedule may change July 1 of each year in accordance with legislative changes.  We have condensed this schedule to a one page document for your convenience.  The fee schedule may be accessed by selecting the following link:  2017 Fee Schedule

Effective March 6, 2017 Hancock County is now an e-file county.  Please file new cases electronically using the service provider of your choice.  In addition, effective May 5, 2017 all subsequent filings will be mandatory.

To learn more about electronic filing or to get help; please see the State's website http://www.in.gov/judiciary/4267.htm.

New cases are assigned a court by random draw.  Circuit Court and Superior Court I handle Civil, Probate, Juvenile, and Felony Criminal cases.  Superior Court II handles Small Claims, Traffic Infractions, Criminal Misdemeanor, and some D Felony cases.  For a more specific detail of how Criminal cases are assigned, you may refer to the Hancock County Local Rules on the Indiana Judiciary site.

For local rules please follow this link: http://www.in.gov/judiciary/2941.htm#local

                               Hancock County Bar Association

Neither the Hancock County Clerk nor staff may give legal opinion or advice; therefore, contacting an attorney may be best.  It is recognized that some people involved in litigation would prefer to handle matters on their own; however, ex-parte communication to the Judge is not allowed.

All correspondence with the Courts must be filed in the Clerk's Office.  A copy of the petition must be sent to the other party before bringing it into the Clerk's Office.

This section of the website offers an example format on how to draft a petition to the Court.  Please note that this format is ORDERED by the Hancock County Judges and must be neatly typed or printed.  Letters/Motions/Petitions are subject to rejection if they are not legible.  Please click here to view a sample Petition.

Many forms are available on the Indiana Judicial Branch Self-Service Legal Center.  There may be a form on the Indiana Judicial Branch Self-Service Legal Center that will suit your needs instead of creating a petition yourself.  Please click the link to go directly to that page.

DIY Guides:

• Pro Se Divorce - Do-it-yourself Divorce
• Small Claims
• Small Claims - Proceeding Supplemental
• Protective Orders
• How to petition the Court
• Eviction / Ejectment
• Pro Se Name Change - Do-it-yourself Name Change
• Indiana Judicial Branch Self-Service Legal Center, Other Self-Service Legal Documents
• Do It Yourself - Sample Petition

Other court forms typically used by an attorney, such as expungement or sealing of records, can be found by clicking here.  If you are unsure which forms to use, please consult an attorney.

For more information about small claims, see the manuel by clicking on the following link  *Small Claims Manual*

For additional self-help assistance and forms, please visit the State of Indiana Judiciary Self-Service Legal Center page by clicking the link.