Sec. 17. (a) Whenever a claim in favor of a personal representative against the estate the personal representative represents that accrued before the death of the decedent is filed against an estate, with the affidavit of the claimant attached, the claim shall not be acted upon by the personal representative unless all interested persons who would be affected by the allowance of the claim consent in writing to it. If all interested persons do not consent to the payment of that claim, the judge shall appoint a special personal representative who shall examine the nature of the claim. If the special personal representative determines that the claim is just, the special personal representative shall allow the claim. If the special personal representative believes it is in the best interests of the estate to oppose the claim, the special personal representative may:
(1) employ counsel to represent the special personal representative;
(2) disallow the claim; and
(3) ask the court to set the claim for trial.
The special personal representative and the special personal representative's counsel shall be paid out of the estate fees for services that the court determines reasonable and appropriate.
(b) Claims of personal representatives shall not be deemed civil actions or proceedings for the purpose of determining court costs, unless the court arranges for active opposition provided in this section.
Formerly: Acts 1953, c.112, s.1417. As amended by Acts 1978, P.L.132, SEC.8; P.L.118-1997, SEC.22.
Structure Indiana Code
Chapter 14. Claims Against the Estate
29-1-14-0.1. Application of Certain Amendments to Chapter
29-1-14-1. Limitations; Filing; Claims Barred or Not; Liens; Tort Claims
29-1-14-2. Actions; Definite Statement; Personal Representative Actions; Deductions From Claims
29-1-14-3. Future Claims; Payment; Bonds
29-1-14-4. Actions; Joint Contracts and Judgment
29-1-14-5. Joint Contracts and Judgments Deemed Joint and Several
29-1-14-6. Secured Claims, Allowance, and Payment
29-1-14-7. Contingent Claims; Payment; Bond of Distributee
29-1-14-8. Contingent Claims; Liability of Distributees; Contribution
29-1-14-9. Classification of Claims; Preferences
29-1-14-10. Allowance; Disallowance; Expenses of Administration
29-1-14-11. Inquiry Into Correctness; Liability on Bond
29-1-14-12. Trial; Pleading; Dismissal
29-1-14-13. Trial of Claims; Judgment; Set-Off or Counterclaim
29-1-14-14. Petitions; Defend Claims; Objections to Payment
29-1-14-15. Execution; Final Process; Payment; Mortgages, Pledges, or Liens; Enforcement
29-1-14-16. Liens and Mortgages, Enforcement; Sale of Real Estate; Exception
29-1-14-17. Personal Representative Claims
29-1-14-18. Compromise of Claims
29-1-14-19. Payment of Claims; Bond or Security of Creditor; Report of Insolvency
29-1-14-20. Mortgage; Pledge; Lien; Payment; Renewal; Extension