IC 29-2-2
    Chapter 2. Probate Commissioners

IC 29-2-2-1
Appointment; salary
    Sec. 1. (a) In all counties of this state containing a votingpopulation of over seven thousand (7,000), as shown by the vote castfor secretary of state at the last preceding election, the judge of thecircuit court of each of said counties, when he shall find:
        (1) that the probate business of his court requires it;
        (2) that the interests of heirs under the age of eighteen (18)years and other beneficiaries of estates, guardianships,receiverships, and other trusts pending in said court will beprotected and subserved thereby; and
        (3) that the same is demanded for the proper protection of suchinterests;
shall cause such finding to be entered of record, and thereupon shallappoint some competent person as probate commissioner of suchcourt.
    (b) In such finding and order of appointment, on proof first heardin open court, the judge shall fix and specify the annual salary ofsuch commissioner and the time of payment thereof and shallthereupon cause to be certified to the auditor of such county a copyof such finding and order, which shall be sufficient authority for saidauditor to draw his warrant for the payment thereof at the times andin the amounts in said record set forth.
(Formerly: Acts 1891, c.137, s.1; Acts 1897, c.164, s.1; Acts 1911,c.269, s.1; Acts 1973, P.L.287, SEC.12.) As amended byP.L.285-1987, SEC.1.

IC 29-2-2-2
Oath of office; fees and compensation
    Sec. 2. Said commissioner shall take and subscribe an oath for thefaithful discharge of his duties, and shall hold his office for the termof four (4) years, subject to the provisions of this chapter, and for hisservices as such commissioner shall receive or be allowed no fees,emoluments or compensation whatever other than the salary fixed bysaid court and required to be paid out of the treasury of said countyas aforesaid, and which salary shall not be increased during his saidterm of office.
(Formerly: Acts 1891, c.137, s.2.) As amended by Acts 1982,P.L.171, SEC.69.

IC 29-2-2-3
Oaths; acknowledgments; removal from office
    Sec. 3. Said commissioner shall have power to administer oaths,take acknowledgments and do all other acts legally pertaining to saidoffice and necessary to carry into effect the rules or orders of saidcourt, and he may, at any time, be removed by the court for failure toproperly discharge the duties of his trust.(Formerly: Acts 1891, c.137, s.3.)

IC 29-2-2-4
Duties defined; records
    Sec. 4. At the time of the appointment of said commissioner, or assoon thereafter as may be practicable, the court shall define theduties of such commissioner and cause a record thereof to be madeupon the order-book of said court.
(Formerly: Acts 1891, c.137, s.4.)

IC 29-2-2-5
Rules for protection of trusts; speedy transaction of probatebusiness
    Sec. 5. Such court shall have power to make and enforce allnecessary rules for the protection of the several trusts pendingtherein, and the requiring of delinquent guardians, administrators orother trustees to make reports, give new or additional bonds, ordischarge any other duty required of them by law, or the rules of saidcourt, and may vest such commissioner with all necessary power inthe premises looking to the protection of such trusts and enforcementof the law and rules of said court in reference thereto, and the properand speedy transaction of the probate business of such court, as thecourt, in its discretion, may deem advisable and necessary.
(Formerly: Acts 1891, c.137, s.5.)

IC 29-2-2-6
Dispensing with services; salary
    Sec. 6. At any time after the appointment of such commissioner,when such court shall deem that his services may be dispensed with,either for a certain or indefinite length of time, without detriment tothe business of said court, or the interests of the trusts thereinpending, the court shall enter of record its finding to that effect andcause the same to be certified to the auditor of such county, andthereupon, during the time so specified in such finding, the salary ofsuch commissioner shall cease and his services during said time bedispensed with, the said commissioner to again assume his duties andreceive his salary therefor only when the court shall so order.
(Formerly: Acts 1891, c.137, s.6.)