# Ind. Code § 34-45-2-5: Contract actions involving heirs or devisees; competent witnesses

> Indiana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-5

## Section

- **Citation:** Ind. Code § 34-45-2-5
- **Heading:** Contract actions involving heirs or devisees; competent witnesses
- **Jurisdiction:** Indiana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Indiana Code / Title 34 / Article 45 / Chapter 2 / Section 34-45-2-5

## Text

Sec. 5. (a) This section applies to suits by or against heirs or devisees founded on a contract with or demand against an ancestor:

(1) to obtain title to or possession of property, real or personal, of, or in right of, the ancestor; or

(2) to affect property described in subdivision (1) in any manner.

(b) This section does not apply in a proceeding to contest the validity of a:

(1) will; or

(2) trust.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), neither party to a suit described in subsection (a) is a competent witness as to any matter that occurred before the death of the ancestor.

(d) A custodian or other qualified witness in a suit described in subsection (a) may present evidence that is admissible under Indiana Evidence Rule 803(6).

[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-1-14-7.]

As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.41. Amended by P.L.33-2004, SEC.1.

## Nearby sections

- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-0.1 Application of certain amendments to chapter](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-0.1.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-1 Competent witnesses generally](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-1.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-2 Insane persons considered incompetent witnesses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-2.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-3 Mentally incompetent persons and guardians](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-3.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-4 Executors or administrators; depositions; evidence given by decedent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-4.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-5 Contract actions involving heirs or devisees; competent witnesses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-5.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-6 Agent of decedent; transactions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-6.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-7 Agent of decedent; contracts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-7.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-8 Unlawfully taking or damaging personal property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-8.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-9 Husband or wife](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-9.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-10 Assignor or grantor; adverse party](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-10.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-11 Executors or administrators; contracts assigned](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-11.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-12 Effect of lack of religious belief; moral character](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-12.md)
- [Ind. Code § 34-45-2-13 Facts shown to affect credibility of witness](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IN_T34_A45_C2_S34-45-2-5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.