Indiana Court Exhibit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to preparing exhibits for Indiana courts under Indiana Trial Rules 26, 34, 86, 87, including e-filing specifications via IEFS via Odyssey and formatting best practices.
- Indiana's primary exhibit rule is Indiana Trial Rules 26, 34, 86, 87.
- Plaintiffs label exhibits with Sequential numbers (1, 2, 3...).
- Defendants label exhibits with Sequential numbers (continues).
- The IEFS via Odyssey portal caps each document at 25 MB.
- Exhibit exchange deadline is Per Trial Rule 26.
- Standard label position is the bottom-right corner of the first page; multi-page exhibits keep one number with per-page pagination ("Exhibit 1, p. 2 of 5").
- Bates numbering (page-level production identifiers) is independent of exhibit numbering and runs across the entire production.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-01-3125 MB
Sequential numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Sequential numbers (continues)
Per Trial Rule 26
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
Trial Rule 26 (2026 Amendments)
2026 amendments (effective January 1, 2026) explicitly BAN general objections - all objections must be specific. Parties must identify responsive materials not being produced.
Formatting Requirements
Trial Rule 86
STRICT requirements: Page size MUST be EXACTLY 8.5" x 11" - NO exceptions. Labels placed in LOWER RIGHT-HAND corner only. 300 dpi scan resolution. File names max 100 characters. No password protection.
E-Filing System
Mandatory statewide e-filing via IEFS. 25 MB per document. Standard PDF format (no PDF/A required). No password-protected PDFs.
Key Deadlines
Trial Rule 26 (2026)
30(B)(6) depositions require good faith meet-and-confer 15 days before deposition. Specific objections required - no boilerplate.
Overview
Indiana courts operate under Indiana Trial Rules 26, 34, 86, 87 for exhibit requirements. Electronic filing is handled through IEFS via Odyssey with a maximum file size of 25 MB. Exhibits must be exchanged Per Trial Rule 26.
Key principle: Always verify your specific court's local rules, as individual counties may have additional requirements beyond the statewide rules.
Indiana Exhibit Conventions
- STRICT page size: EXACTLY 8.5" x 11" - NO exceptions
- Labels in LOWER RIGHT-HAND corner only
- 2026 CHANGES: General objections BANNED - must be specific
- Scan at 300 dpi resolution required
- File names cannot exceed 100 characters
- No password-protected PDFs allowed
Indiana Exhibit Marking
Standard Marking Conventions
Plaintiff Exhibits
Sequential numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Defendant Exhibits
Sequential numbers (continues)
Check Local Court Rules
Individual courts within Indiana may have specific local rules regarding exhibit marking, numbering sequences, and formatting. Always verify with your specific court before filing.
Court-Specific Requirements
Marion County (Indianapolis)
Largest jurisdiction. Commercial court docket available. State capital courts.
Marion County Local RulesLake County (Gary)
Northwest Indiana courts. Chicago suburban area.
Lake County Local RulesIndiana County Guides
IEFS via Odyssey E-Filing Requirements
File Format & Size
Document Specifications
- PDF format required for all filings
- 25 MB maximum per file
- Text-searchable PDFs recommended
Best Practices
- Include bookmarks for multi-exhibit PDFs
- No password protection
- Clear, legible exhibit stamps
Common Rejection Reasons
File Size Exceeds 25 MB Limit
Solution: Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit 5, Part 1 of 3"). ExhibitPrep exports individual files to manage size limits.
Missing or Illegible Exhibit Stamps
Solution: Use consistent, clearly visible exhibit stamps on every page. ExhibitPrep places stamps in the same position on every page automatically.
Incorrect Exhibit Numbering
Solution: Verify plaintiff exhibits use Sequential numbers (1, 2, 3...) and defendant exhibits use Sequential numbers (continues). ExhibitPrep auto-numbers exhibits sequentially.
Late Exhibit Exchange
Solution: Indiana requires exchange Per Trial Rule 26. Plan ahead and prepare exhibits early to avoid last-minute issues.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Indiana Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours applying stickers manually.
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time. Stamp unlimited exhibits for one low price.
Court Compliant
Indiana court-ready formatting. Export with bookmarks for organized filings.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for Indiana Courts
Recommended Settings
Stamp Format
Use "Exhibit [number]" for plaintiffs or "Exhibit [letter]" for defendants. Include party designation if required by local rules.
Position
Bottom-right corner is standard. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content. Use drag-and-drop positioning to adjust if needed.
Export Format
Combined PDF with bookmarks for court filings. Keep files under 25 MB. Individual files for discovery productions or large exhibit sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exhibit requirements for Indiana courts?
Indiana courts require exhibits to follow Indiana Trial Rules 26, 34, 86, 87. 2026 amendments (effective January 1, 2026) explicitly BAN general objections - all objections must be specific. Parties must identify responsive materials not being produced.
What e-filing system does Indiana use?
Indiana uses IEFS via Odyssey for electronic filings. Mandatory statewide e-filing via IEFS. 25 MB per document. Standard PDF format (no PDF/A required). No password-protected PDFs.
How should plaintiff and defendant exhibits be marked in Indiana?
In Indiana, plaintiffs typically use Sequential numbers (1, 2, 3...) while defendants use Sequential numbers (continues). Check local court rules for specific requirements.
What are the exhibit exchange deadlines in Indiana?
Indiana requires exhibit exchange Per Trial Rule 26. 30(B)(6) depositions require good faith meet-and-confer 15 days before deposition. Specific objections required - no boilerplate.
Are electronically stamped exhibits accepted in Indiana?
Yes, Indiana courts accept electronic exhibit stamps that are clearly legible and consistently formatted. ExhibitPrep creates court-ready stamps accepted throughout Indiana.
What is the maximum file size for Indiana e-filing?
Indiana's e-filing system (IEFS via Odyssey) accepts files up to 25 MB. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts with clear labeling.
Prepare Indiana Court Exhibits in Minutes
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