--- title: "Phillip Houk | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-houk-probate-magistrate-allen-county-superior-court-civil-division-in" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Phillip Houk Allen County Superior Court - Civil Division · Probate Magistrate ## Profile - Court: Allen County Superior Court - Civil Division - State: Indiana - Role: Probate Magistrate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic evidence presentation Scope: statewide Indiana Rule 2.17 lets a judge authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record perpetuation, or judicial administration. Evidence excerpt: a judge may authorize: (1) the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### photography recording Scope: statewide Indiana courtroom broadcasting, recording, digital streaming, and photography require judicial authorization under Rule 2.17. Evidence excerpt: No broadcast of a court proceeding is allowed without authorization from the judge. [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote non testimonial proceedings Scope: statewide Indiana courts may conduct non-testimonial hearings or conferences remotely on request or on the court's own order. Evidence excerpt: a court may, upon request or on its own order, conduct the hearing or conference as a remote proceeding [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote testimonial proceedings Scope: statewide Indiana testimonial proceedings are presumptively in person unless good cause is shown or the parties agree to remote participation. Evidence excerpt: A court must conduct all testimonial proceedings in person except that a court may conduct the proceedings remotely [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### camera request process Scope: statewide Indiana's public cameras guidance states that local judicial officers have discretion to authorize news-media cameras in non-confidential trial-court proceedings. Evidence excerpt: Judicial officers around the state have the authority to allow news media into their courtrooms [Indiana Judicial Branch: Cameras in Indiana Trial Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/cameras/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Official roster](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Indiana Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) - [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) - [Indiana Judicial Branch: Cameras in Indiana Trial Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/cameras/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-houk-probate-magistrate-allen-county-superior-court-civil-division-in", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-houk-probate-magistrate-allen-county-superior-court-civil-division-in", "name": "Phillip Houk | KnowJudges", "description": "Phillip Houk, Allen County Superior Court - Civil Division. 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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 ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-16334af3e92d37ecdb2fa7b0) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-fc1c3983d9effb5bdfe80b9d) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm). Collected 2026-07-26.