Indiana Code
Chapter 7. Probate and Grant of Administration
29-1-7-17.5. Contest of Two or More Wills

Sec. 17.5. (a) The court, in its discretion and upon application of any party instituting an action under section 16 or 17 of this chapter, may permit the contest of two (2) or more wills if there is prima facie evidence that:
(1) the decedent suffered from an irreversible medical or psychiatric condition that predated the earliest will to be challenged; or
(2) a party beneficially interested in one (1) or more challenged wills had a direct and active nexus with the preparation or execution process for each will to be challenged on the basis of undue influence.
The prima facie preliminary evidentiary showing under subdivision (1) shall be made by an affidavit of the decedent's treating physician or through the records of a health care provider obtained during discovery and tendered to the court under Rule 803(6) of the Indiana Rules of Evidence.
(b) If the court exercises its discretion to permit the challenge to two (2) or more wills in one (1) proceeding, a challenger is eligible to request attorney's fees under IC 29-1-10-14 if the challenger stands to directly benefit from a successful suit. The court shall review the attorney's fee claims at the conclusion of the will contest. The award and allocation of attorney's fees paid from the estate shall be solely at the discretion of the court.
As added by P.L.231-2019, SEC.9.

Structure Indiana Code

Indiana Code

Title 29. Probate

Article 1. Probate Code

Chapter 7. Probate and Grant of Administration

29-1-7-0.1. Application of Certain Amendments to Chapter

29-1-7-1. Venue; Transfer of Proceedings

29-1-7-2. One Proceeding in Rem

29-1-7-3. Produce Will in Court; Contempt; Damages

29-1-7-3.1. Will Depository

29-1-7-4. Petitions; Hearing

29-1-7-4.5. Notice of Delivery to Consenting Parties or to Parties Waiving Notice of Proceedings in the Estate

29-1-7-5. Petition for Probate; Letters Testamentary; Administrator With Will Annexed; Appointment of Administrator

29-1-7-6. Notice of Hearing; Request; Provision of Relevant Materials by Personal Representative

29-1-7-7. Notice of Administration

29-1-7-7.5. Personal Representative; Reasonable Diligence to Discover Creditors of Decedent; Affidavit; Presumption of Reasonable Diligence

29-1-7-8. Death in Doubt; Search for Alleged Decedent

29-1-7-9. Admission to Probate; Proof of Will

29-1-7-10. Absence of Competent Witnesses; Handwriting; Proof

29-1-7-11. Repealed

29-1-7-12. Nuncupative Wills; Proof

29-1-7-13. Admission to Probate; Petitions; Self-Proved Wills; Signature Requirement Presumptions

29-1-7-14. Certificate of Probate; Evidence

29-1-7-15. Repealed

29-1-7-15.1. Determination of Intestacy; Presentation of Will for Probate; Time Limits; Sale of Property

29-1-7-15.2. Sale of Real Property; Permitted Use of Proceeds

29-1-7-16. Objections to Probate

29-1-7-17. Contest of Wills; Requisites; Grounds

29-1-7-17.5. Contest of Two or More Wills

29-1-7-18. Contest of Wills; Notice and Service Requirements

29-1-7-19. Contest of Wills; Bond of Plaintiff

29-1-7-20. Contest of Wills; Burden of Proof

29-1-7-21. Contest of Wills; Burden of Proof

29-1-7-22. Revocation of Probate

29-1-7-23. Real and Personal Property; Devolution; Prima Facie Evidence

29-1-7-24. Probate of Will; Necessity to Prove Title to Property

29-1-7-25. Foreign Wills; Receipt and Recording Authorized

29-1-7-26. Foreign Wills; Certification

29-1-7-27. Foreign Wills; Filing and Recording

29-1-7-28. Executed in Indiana; Allowed in Foreign State or Country

29-1-7-29. Foreign Wills; Contest