Evictions

The general steps in an Indiana eviction:

• The landlord tells the tenant the landlord wants the tenant to move out.
• The landlord files a case against the tenant.
• The tenant receives notice of the lawsuit by certified mail or by the Sheriff.
• The first hearing is to decide who has the right to possession of the apartment. If the tenant is in violation of the contract (for example, if the tenant is behind in rent), the landlord will have the right to possession and the court will order that the tenant be out by a certain date. (This is usually within a few days of the court hearing; you don’t get much time to move). If the court finds the tenant hasn’t violated the lease, then the case is over and the tenant does not have to move.
• There is often a second hearing for the court to decide if the tenant owes the landlord any money. The tenant can also tell the court if the tenant thinks the landlord owes the tenant any money.
• You must start the process for an eviction here is Vigo County by filing through the Vigo County Clerk’s Office.
• The Sheriff’s Office will serve the notice of hearing which is issued first which gives the defendant a right to appear before the Judge 
• After the hearing, the Judge may grant an Order of Possession – giving you a possession date.
• The Clerk’s Office will deliver this paperwork to the Sheriff’s Office and we will serve it on the defendant.
• If the defendant does not or is not willing to move you may request the help of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office to remove the defendant from the property.

If you need assistance with an eviction order please contact our office to schedule an appointment for an officer to meet you at the location, officers will attempt to accommodate the orders time and date set. Our eviction officers can be reached at 812-462-3226 x 7339 or via email at evictions@vigosheriff.in.gov.