Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a no contest provision is enforceable according to the express terms of the no contest provision.

     (b) Subsection (a) does not apply to the following proceedings:

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Terms Used In Indiana Code 29-1-6-2

  • Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Bequest: Property gifted by will.
  • Charity: An agency, institution, or organization in existence and operating for the benefit of an indefinite number of persons and conducted for educational, religious, scientific, medical, or other beneficent purposes.
  • Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
  • Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
(1) An action brought by a beneficiary if good cause is found by a court.

(2) An action brought by an executor or other fiduciary of a will that incorporates a no contest provision, unless the executor or other fiduciary is a beneficiary against whom the no contest provision is otherwise enforceable.

(3) An agreement, including a nonjudicial settlement agreement, among beneficiaries and any other interested persons to settle or resolve any other matter relating to a will or estate.

(4) An action to determine whether a proposed or pending motion or proceeding constitutes a contest.

(5) An action brought by or on behalf of a beneficiary to seek a ruling regarding the construction or interpretation of a will.

(6) An action or objection brought by a beneficiary, an executor, or other fiduciary that seeks a ruling on proposed distributions, fiduciary fees, or any other matter where a court has discretion.

(7) An action brought by the attorney general that:

(A) seeks a ruling regarding the construction or interpretation of:

(i) a will containing a charitable trust or charitable bequest; or

(ii) a no contest provision contained in a will or trust that purports to penalize a charity or charitable interest; or

(B) institutes any other proceedings relating to:

(i) an estate; or

(ii) a trust;

if good cause is shown to do so.

Formerly: Acts 1953, c.112, s.602. As amended by P.L.136-2018, SEC.215; P.L.163-2018, SEC.4; P.L.215-2018(ss), SEC.13.