Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Clark County Circuit Court (IN), Department #1

Appointed By: Gov. Eric J. Holcomb

Biography

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa is a judge for the Clark County Circuit Court in Indiana. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Eric Holcomb in 2022, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Daniel Moore (Ret.).

On the bench, Karaffa hears murder, high-level felony, guardianship, estate, trust, and adoption cases, as well as tax sale or conservancy district cases.

Prior to his appointment, he worked as the court administrator in Clark County (2020 to 2022). Before that, he had operated his own private practice since 2015, where he focused on criminal defense and family law matters. Over the course of his legal career, Karaffa also acted as a judge pro tempore and was a public defender in Clark, Scott, and Jefferson Counties.

Karaffa received a B.A. from Transylvania University. He went on to complete a J.D. at Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 2010. Karaffa was admitted to practice in Indiana (2010) and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana (2010).

He attended New Albany High School. At the time of his appointment, Karaffa resided in Jeffersonville with his wife and daughter.

He is registered as a Republican.

Recent Cases by Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa

State of Indiana v. Edward R. Read JR

On February 5, 2026 a rf - red flag (civil docket) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

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Court Category

RF - Red Flag (Civil Docket)

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Criminal Related (Civil)

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 06, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Harold Lynn Hall

On February 4, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 04, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 07, 2026

IN RE The Name Change of Naylin Itzayana Vera

On February 4, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

2 Files

Filed

Feb 04, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

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Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 07, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Raymond Cooler

On February 3, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 03, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 04, 2026

IN RE The Name Change of Tracy Jo South

On February 3, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 03, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 05, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Vickie Hodges

On February 2, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Feb 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 03, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Joyce Conn

On January 29, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 29, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 01, 2026

IN RE The Name Change of Douglas Anthony Thompson

On January 29, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 29, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 30, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Deanna Lindenmayer

On January 22, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 23, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Charlottte McAfee

On January 16, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 18, 2026

In Re: the Guardianship of Eugene A Hagedorn

On January 15, 2026 a gu - guardianship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

GU - Guardianship

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2026

In Re: the Guardianship of Sandra Coy

On January 15, 2026 a gu - guardianship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

GU - Guardianship

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2026

In Re: the Estate of Floyd Roades

On January 12, 2026 an eu - estate, unsupervised case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EU - Estate, Unsupervised

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

IN RE THE Name Change of Kennadi Lea Schleicher-Drasler

On January 9, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 11, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Anthony Todd Leonard

On January 9, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 13, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Barbara Rae Melcom

On January 9, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 11, 2026

IN RE The Name Change of Willow Celeste Colwell

On January 7, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Tina M. Rogers

On January 6, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 06, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Babette Pickens

On January 5, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 06, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Mark Wesley Terry

On January 5, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 06, 2026

IN RE The Name Change of Denisha Tenea Darvin

On January 5, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Jan 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 06, 2026

IN RE The Name Change of Nathaniel G. Prather

On December 17, 2025 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

Filed

Dec 17, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 19, 2025

In Re: the Guardianship of Dorothy Lorena Poole

On December 17, 2025 a gu - guardianship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

Filed

Dec 17, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

GU - Guardianship

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 19, 2025

In Re: The Estate of Penny Adele Thornbury

On December 16, 2025 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Dec 16, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Nicholas A. Karaffa 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court

Clark County

County

Clark County, IN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 17, 2025

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About

Nicholas A. Karaffa
Party Affiliation Republican	Republican
Current Appointment Clark County Circuit Court (IN), Department #1	Clark County Circuit Court (IN), Department #1
Education J.D., Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law - 2010 B.A., Transylvania University	J.D., Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law - 2010 B.A., Transylvania University

Documents related to Nicholas A. Karaffa

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	IN - Clark County Circuit Court (IN)
Clerk phone:	+1 (812) 285-6308
Fax:	+1 (812) 285-6283

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Clark County Circuit Court	Clark County, Indiana
Court Administrator	Clark County Circuit Court	Clark County, Indiana
Sole Practitioner	Private Practice	None
Public Defender	Office of the Public Defender	Clark County, Indiana
Public Defender	Office of the Public Defender	Scott County, Indiana
Public Defender	Office of the Public Defender	Jefferson County, Indiana