Phillip Houk

Professional career

• Phillip E. Houk was the longest‐serving judicial officer in Allen County, Indiana, and a Probate Magistrate of the Allen County Superior Court for 40 years, retiring August 1, 2026
• Began his judicial service in 1988 as a referee for the Civil and Criminal Divisions of the Allen County Superior Court, later becoming a full‐time referee and probate commissioner
• As of now, Judge Houk is retired from the Allen County Superior Court

Education

Additional information

• received the Award for Judicial Excellence and Integrity from the Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana in 2015
• Appointed magistrate in 1995 and served in that role until his retirement.
• Over his career, he presided over approximately 40,000 estate cases and 10,000 guardianship matters, guiding families through probate proceedings and protecting vulnerable individuals
• Beyond the courtroom, Houk was a past president of the Fort Wayne Sports Corporation Board of Directors, served on the St. Charles Borromeo Church Finance Committee, and was involved in local youth sports and community outreach
• Houk also served on the Judicial Conference of Indiana Probate Committee and Ethics Committee, and was active in community and youth sports initiatives, including the Lifetime Sports Academy and various football and baseball camps
• He was recognized by the Indiana Supreme Court with a 24‐year service award
• His legacy includes decades of service in probate and guardianship matters, community leadership, and recognition for judicial excellence