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

IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF Abdul Rahim Abdul Hakim Al Balushi

On October 20, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 20, 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

Oct 22, 2026

IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF Zainab Abdul Rahim Al Balushi

On October 20, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 20, 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

Oct 22, 2026

IN RE THe Name Change of Maimona Abdul Rahim Al Balushi

On October 20, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 20, 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

Oct 22, 2026

IN RE The Name Change of Kaley A Wood

On October 20, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 20, 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

Oct 21, 2026

IN RE The Name Change of Mariam Abdul Rahim Al Balushi

On October 20, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 20, 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

Oct 22, 2026

IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF Khawla Abdul Rahim Al Balushi

On October 20, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 20, 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

Oct 22, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Ronald Jeffrey Schilffarth

On October 19, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 19, 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

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

In Re: The Estate of LeRoy Louis Morris

On October 19, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 19, 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

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

In Re: the Guardianship of Michael Morris

On October 18, 2026 a gu - guardianship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

Filed

Oct 18, 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

GU - Guardianship

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Kendall Dale Cooper

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

1 File

Filed

Oct 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 #

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Court Category

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

In Re: the Marriage of Richard E. Cook, III and Melanie Cook

On October 15, 2026 a dc - domestic relations with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

Filed

Oct 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 #

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Court Category

DC - Domestic Relations with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2026

In Re: the Guardianship of Nadine L Griggs

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

Filed

Oct 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 #

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Court Category

GU - Guardianship

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Cathy Lee Raggard

On October 14, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 14, 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

EM - Estate, Miscellaneous

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Thomas Lee Narron

On October 13, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 13, 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

Oct 15, 2026

In RE the name change of Preston Joseph Williams

On October 12, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 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 #

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Court Category

MI - Miscellaneous Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Betty L Riggins

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

1 File

Filed

Oct 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

Oct 08, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Otha D Sanders, Sr.

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

1 File

Filed

Oct 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

Oct 08, 2026

In Re: the Estate of Mack Hutchins

On October 1, 2026 an es - estate, supervised case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 01, 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

ES - Estate, Supervised

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 03, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Peter Nicholas Scaparo

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

1 File

Filed

Sep 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

Oct 01, 2026

In Re: the Guardianship of Harvey L. Priddy

On September 27, 2026 a gu - guardianship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

Filed

Sep 27, 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

Sep 29, 2026

In Re: the Guardianship of William E. Kime

On September 27, 2026 a gu - guardianship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

Filed

Sep 27, 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

Sep 29, 2026

IN RE name change of Noah Newton

On September 25, 2026 a mi - miscellaneous civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 25, 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

Sep 26, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Anthony Todd Leonard

On September 25, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 25, 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

Sep 26, 2026

In Re: The Estate of Timmy Jay Barton

On September 24, 2026 em - estate, miscellaneous case was filed in the jurisdiction of Clark County. Judge Nicholas A. Karaffa presiding.

1 File

Filed

Sep 24, 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

Sep 25, 2026

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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