Judge Kelly S. Benjamin: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Biography

The Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin is a judge for the Bartholomew County Circuit Court in Indiana. She was elected to the bench on November 8, 2016.

Prior to her election, Benjamin was the IV-D Child Support Commissioner for Bartholomew County, a position to which she was named in 2013. Before that, she spent time as the City Attorney for the City of Columbus (2012 to 2013) as well as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office (2008 to 2012).

Benjamin earned a bachelor’s degree in business finance, economics, and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1989. She then completed a J.D. at Drake University Law School in 1991.

After graduating from law school, Benjamin began her legal career as an associate at Terwilliger, Wakeen, Piehler & Conway in Stevens Point. She worked in that capacity until 1995, at which time she joined the Portage County District Attorney’s Office. She spent the next ten years as an assistant district attorney, prosecuting traffic, juvenile, misdemeanor, and felony cases. She also specialized in domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse cases.

Then, in 2005, Benjamin relocated to Indiana. She began working as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office. She held that position for one year, eventually leaving to become in-house counsel to Mitchell Appraisals, Inc.

Her memberships have included the Columbus Human Rights Commission, the Healthy Communities Domestic Violence Action Team, and the Board of Directors of the Heritage Fund. She has also been involved with the Columbus Youth Hockey, the Lincoln Center Figure Skating Club, and UnCommon Cause.

She was named Outstanding Prosecutor by the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2011), and she is a recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award from Healthy Communities (2011), the Turning Point Community Safety Award (2009), the Family Crisis Center Angel Award (2003), and the CAPartners Award (2001).

Benjamin attends Asbury United Methodist Church.

Recent Cases by Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin

In Re: The Marriage of SEAN P. MCCORKLE and Robyn L Matthews

On October 19, 2026 a dn - domestic relations without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DN - Domestic Relations without Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

IN RE: THE VERIFIED PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF MINOR

On October 8, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2026

IN RE: THE VERIFIED PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF MINOR

On October 8, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2026

IN RE: The Name Change of Baylon David Alsup, A Minor Child

On September 28, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 28, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2026

IN RE: Name Change of Mary Corrine Orben

On September 25, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 25, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 05, 2026

In Re: The Marriage of Derek D. Hatton and Jacqueline A. Hatton

On September 25, 2026 a dn - domestic relations without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

Filed

Sep 25, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DN - Domestic Relations without Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2026

IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF MINOR: CALLIE GRACE MARIE KRAMER

On September 1, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 01, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 03, 2026

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Llc v. Eric Harden

On August 20, 2026 a cc - civil collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

10 Files

Filed

Aug 20, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CC - Civil Collection

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 09, 2026

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Llc v. Brandi Tackett

On August 7, 2026 a cc - civil collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

6 Files

Filed

Aug 07, 2026

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CC - Civil Collection

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2026

In Re: The Petition For Expungement and Sealing of Records of William Shane Sweeney

On August 5, 2026 a xp - expungement case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

12 Files

Filed

Aug 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

XP - Expungement

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Expunction

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2026

In Re: The Marriage of MATTHEW WILSON and DARA CARMAN

On August 4, 2026 a dn - domestic relations without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

Filed

Aug 04, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DN - Domestic Relations without Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 09, 2026

First Financial Bank, N.A. v. Jackie Gibson

On July 31, 2026 a cc - civil collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Jul 31, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CC - Civil Collection

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 04, 2026

OneMain Financial Group, LLC v. Andrea Edwards

On July 29, 2026 a cc - civil collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Jul 29, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CC - Civil Collection

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2026

IN RE: VERIFIED PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF MINOR, EMMETT PAYTE JAMES

On July 29, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jul 29, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 10, 2026

In Re: the Marriage of Jonathan Manuel Dominguez-Jimenez and Elizabeth Sue Kelp

On July 28, 2026 a dc - domestic relations with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

Filed

Jul 28, 2026

Status

Judgment of Divorce,Annulment,Separation

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DC - Domestic Relations with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2026

CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORP. v. TERESA PURLEE

On July 23, 2026 a cc - civil collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

10 Files

Filed

Jul 23, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CC - Civil Collection

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 01, 2026

Madelyn Schoettmer v. Eisley Ulm

On July 23, 2026 a ct - civil tort case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

10 Files

Filed

Jul 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CT - Civil Tort

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 24, 2026

In the Matter of the Paternity of Cambry B. Johnson

On July 2, 2026 a jp - juvenile paternity case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

Filed

Jul 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

JP - Juvenile Paternity

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 30, 2026

OneMain Financial Group, LLC v. Richard Weafer, III

On June 30, 2026 a cc - civil collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

12 Files

Filed

Jun 30, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CC - Civil Collection

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 20, 2026

In Re: The Marriage of CARLOS SAID MARTINEZ LAZCANO and CITLALLI JIMENEZ AGUILAR

On June 29, 2026 a dn - domestic relations without children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

Filed

Jun 29, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

DN - Domestic Relations without Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 02, 2026

Ceteris Portfolio Services LLC a/a/o assignee of: Smartpay Leasing LLC v. Randall Ackerman

On June 26, 2026 a cc - civil collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Jun 26, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CC - Civil Collection

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 28, 2026

MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT, INC v. Mark Ketchum

On June 23, 2026 a cc - civil collection case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Jun 23, 2026

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CC - Civil Collection

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 02, 2026

Finance of America Reverse LLC v. Barry J. Kress, Mary Sue Kress, LVNV Funding, LLCet al

On June 22, 2026 a mf - mortgage foreclosure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

36 Files

Filed

Jun 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MF - Mortgage Foreclosure

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 02, 2026

In the Matter of the Paternity of Riley Brooks Lawson

On June 19, 2026 a jp - juvenile paternity case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bartholomew County. Judge Kelly S. Benjamin presiding.

Filed

Jun 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Kelly S. Benjamin

Court

Bartholomew County

County

Bartholomew County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

JP - Juvenile Paternity

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 08, 2026

Discover if Hon. Benjamin is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

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About

Kelly S. Benjamin
Party Affiliation Republican	Republican
Current Appointment Bartholomew County Circuit Court	Bartholomew County Circuit Court
Election/Appointment November 8, 2016 - Bartholomew County Circuit Court 2022 - Re-election	November 8, 2016 - Bartholomew County Circuit Court 2022 - Re-election
Education J.D., Drake University Law School - 1991 Bachelor's degree, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point - 1989	J.D., Drake University Law School - 1991 Bachelor's degree, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point - 1989
Official Website bartholomew.in.gov	bartholomew.in.gov

Documents related to Kelly S. Benjamin

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	IN - Bartholomew County Circuit Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (812) 379-1605
Fax:	+1 (812) 379-1764

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Bartholomew County Circuit Court	Bartholomew County, Indiana
IV-D Child Support Commissioner	Bartholomew County Circuit Court	Bartholomew County, Indiana
City Attorney	City of Columbus	Bartholomew County, Indiana
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney	Office of the Bartholomew County Prosecutor	Bartholomew County, Indiana
In-House Counsel	Mitchell Appraisals, Inc.	Marion County, Indiana
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney	Office of the Johnson County Prosecutor	Johnson County, Indiana
Assistant District Attorney	Office of the Portage County District Attorney	Portage County, Wisconsin
Associate	Terwilliger, Wakeen, Piehler & Conway	Portage County, Wisconsin

Articles About Kelly S. Benjamin:

Bartholomew County: Circuit Court

Ballotpedia: Kelly Benjamin

Courtroom Rules

Indiana Court Forms

Indiana Rules of Court

Law Firms

Judge Kelly S. Benjamin: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Biography

Recent Cases by Hon. Kelly S. Benjamin

About

Documents related to Kelly S. Benjamin

Court Info

Career History

Articles About Kelly S. Benjamin:

Courtroom Rules