Divorce in Indiana
Experienced counsel during trying times
At Stidham Legal we realize that legal matters involving your family can lead to feelings of doubt, pressure, and anxiety. Your Indiana family law attorney at Stidham Legal will strive to carry this burden for you.
Let us advise you of your rights and what you are entitled to in a divorce in Indiana. We work hard to make sure our clients receive everything they are entitled to through the divorce process. Call or text (219) 232-6099 seven days a week for your free case consultation. We provide clear, upfront pricing so you know exactly what your case will cost.
Indiana families are confronted with the legal system in many situations. No matter what you’re dealing with, we can help. Stidham Legal is an experienced Indiana family law attorney who has worked with people throughout Indiana to obtain positive outcomes in the following situations:
Divorce
Legally ending a marriage in Indiana can be a complicated and emotionally troubling. A skilled divorce attorney with Stidham Legal can help you with the intricacies of legal separation, a divorce filing, property division, child custody and support, and prenuptial agreements.
When you and your spouse married, you vowed to stick together through thick and thin, through sickness and in health. However, sometimes, irreconcilable differences and conflict lead to the dissolution of a marriage.
It is not uncommon. Over 10% of the adult population is divorced. Marriages that end in divorce typically last just shy of seven years.
Even if you are caught wholly off-guard or if you are simply unable to compromise with your former spouse, you can have a successful divorce that allows you to start over again.
A highly skilled Indiana family law attorney at Stidham Legal can guide you through the process by assisting you with filing for divorce, inventorying your assets and debts, navigating mediation, protecting your children, and advocating for your best interests in court. While divorce is an adversarial process by its very nature, Stidham Legal can help remove some of the stress, trauma, and anxiety associated with a divorce by handling the difficult and complex matters.
During your first meeting we will map out your interests, needs, and desired outcome and then draft a course of action tailored to best pursue your goals. Call or text today at (219) 232-6099 to get started.
Important Issues in Indiana Family Law Cases
Do I need a lawyer if I’m getting a divorce?
An Indiana lawyer is highly recommended if you have children or assets that you want divided between you and your spouse. A lawyer serves as an advocate for you throughout the legal process, ensuring that you don’t lose your rights as a parent and that your assets aren’t taken away.
How long does an Indiana divorce take?
The length of the Indiana divorce process varies case by case, but typically depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce, one where both parties agree about the terms of the divorce, can be submitted to the court for approval in as little as 60 days. A contested divorce, one where you and your ex-spouse don’t agree on all areas of the settlement, can take 9-12 months or longer.
Do I have to go to court for my divorce?
If your Indiana divorce is uncontested, you probably will not go to court. The court typically approves the agreement submitted by Stidham Legal within a few days without a hearing. However, for a contested divorce, you will likely appear in court for one or more hearings. For either type, uncontested or contested, Stidham Legal can guide you through stressful proceedings.
How does a court determine who gets child custody?
If you and your ex-spouse cannot agree on child custody and visitation rights, the decision will be made in court by a judge. Indiana child custody laws requires the child’s “best interests” to be the most important factor in this decision. The court will take into consideration who has served as the child’s “primary caretaker” (i.e. which parent has been primarily responsible for meal planning and preparation, healthcare, etc.). Other factors also come into play such as the child’s age, the relationship with either parent, prior negative acts of the parents, and the living environment.
What does no-fault divorce mean?
Indiana law provides for no-fault divorce meaning the reasons causing a divorce are not considered by the court for purposes of allowing the parties to get divorced. Basically, if at least one spouse wants a divorce then the couple will be divorced.
What is “legal custody” versus “physical custody”?
In Indiana, legal custody refers to the authority to make major decisions regarding a child’s health, education, safety, and welfare. Physical custody means that a child lives with the custodial parent the majority of the time. The non-custodial parent typically has parenting time by schedule.
What are the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines?
Indiana divorce attorneys and courts use the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, published by the Indiana Supreme Court, as a guide to establishing parenting time schedules for non-custodial parents. The typical “every other weekend plus a midweek visit” is found in the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. While the Guidelines are frequently used to establish parenting time, Stidham Legal, your Northwest Indiana child custody attorney, can help you adopt the parenting time schedule that works best for you and your children.
How is child support determined?
Indiana child support attorneys use the Indiana Child Support Guidelines to help clients calculate the correct child support for their situation. We help clients ensure they pay or receive the appropriate amount of support. Indiana child support factors include the amount of time spent with each parent, childcare costs, health insurance costs, and the parties’ incomes.