Family Law Services

Legal Separation

If a couple is having martial issues but are not ready to dissolve their marriage, a legal separation is a legal process to obtain a court order dividing their assets; addressing issues of child custody, parenting time, child support, and assign responsibility for debts. A Decree of Legal Separation expires one year after the issuance of the Decree unless it is converted to a Dissolution.

Negotiated Divorces

More often than not, parties are able to resolve how their assets and debts will be divided; custody, parenting time, and child support for their children; and other issues through negotiation between their attorneys or mediation by coming to an agreement. If an agreement is reached, it is then submitted to the court without the need of a hearing.
Mediation is an alternative to litigation which assists parties in resolving issues through formal negotiation with the assistance of a trained mediator.

Contested Divorces

If parties are unable to come to an agreement, the issues must be presented to the court, who will make the final decision after considering the evidence and arguments presented by each party’s attorney.

Premarital Agreements

In Indiana, all of the property owned by either party, either jointly or separately at the time a divorce is filed, is part of the marital estate to be divided by the court. A Premarital Agreement is an agreement entered into prior to the marriage that can designate certain as separate property and not part of the “marital estate” if a dissolution of marriage is sought by either party, or in the event of the death of a spouse.

Adoption

An adoption is more often than not a legal proceeding that results in a happy resolution for everyone. However, there are complex procedures that must be followed to ensure an adoption is valid and cannot be challenged at a later date.

Guardianship

When a parent cannot provide care for a child, a third party may seek custody of the child through a legal proceeding called guardianship proceedings. Likewise, when an adult can no longer care for his or her self a loved one may seek a guardianship of the adult to provide the care and supervision the person requires.

Paternity Actions

In Indiana, if a child is born outside of marriage, the rights and responsibilities of the parents are enforced through legal proceedings called paternity actions.