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(219) 464-3246
(219) 464-3246
Family Law
Langer & Langer handles family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and support, in Porter Lake, LaPorte, and Jasper Counties. We have a wide range of experience and can answer your questions when you are facing a stressful legal matter.
When you come to our firm, you can trust you’re receiving legal advocacy from a team of attorneys who are recognized as industry leaders. Attorney Michael Langer is a nominee and recipient of the 2015-2016 American Institute of Family Law Attorneys’ Two Years Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction. This award goes to attorneys who have achieved significant success in their field without compromising the service and support they provide.
Read about common family law matters below or call our firm at (219) 464-3246 to schedule an initial consultation.
A divorce is a legal process by which a marriage is legally terminated and the parties are restored to the status of single persons. In a divorce proceeding, other related issues such as disposition of property, child support, child custody, and parenting time are resolved by the parties, a mediator, or a court.
At least one of the parties must have been a resident of the State of Indiana or stationed at a United States Military Installation within Indiana for six months immediately proceeding the filing of the petition for dissolution. In addition, at least one of the parties must have been a resident of the county or stationed at a United States Military Installation within the county where the petition is filed for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition for dissolution.
In Indiana, there is no presumption favoring either parent, and both parents are entitled to custody.
A final hearing is not allowed to be held any earlier than 60 days after the filing of the petition for dissolution. The case may be delayed because of crowded court dockets. In addition, if you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement and your case becomes “contested” it will take longer to complete.
The court may order spousal maintenance in a dissolution of marriage if the court finds one of the following:
In addition, after considering a spouse’s educational level, whether there has been an interruption in the education or employment as a result of homemaking responsibilities, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the spouse seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment, a court may find that rehabilitative maintenance for that spouse is necessary for a period not to exceed three years.
Prenuptial (antenuptial) agreements are legal contracts entered into by parties contemplating marriage in order to settle their property rights during marriage and upon termination of marriage either by death or by dissolution. Such agreements are favored by Indiana law.
Generally, an agreement should be in writing, contain full disclosure of all assets before the marriage, and be signed by both husband and wife. In addition, it is generally recommended that prenuptial agreements should be negotiated and reduced to writing well in advance of the anticipated wedding date and that both parties are represented by independent counsel.
Promptly collect all the records or other documents your lawyer requests. If it becomes necessary for your Indiana family lawyer to obtain such documents and records from another source, that will involve more effort and cost. Be prepared for telephone calls and office conferences with your attorney by maintaining a list of the issues or questions.
Fortunately, there are several Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) techniques which may be used in resolving or assisting in the resolution of a domestic relations matter. ADR generally refers to any dispute resolution process or technique that does not involve litigation. For divorce cases, parties primarily utilize settlement negotiations and mediation.
Mediation is a method in which a neutral and impartial third party assists in resolving disputes. Unlike a trial, the final decision rests with the clients. Mediation is confidential, informal, and generally less expensive than litigation or other processes. The parties are allowed to mediate with their attorneys present to provide them with guidance or without their lawyers to reduce costs.
Physical custody defines with whom the minor child will reside and who is responsible for the care, supervision, or welfare of the minor child. Legal custody defines the person who has the authority and responsibility for the major decisions concerning the child’s upbringing, including the child’s education, health care, and religious training. Joint legal custody means that both parties will share authority and responsibility for the major decisions concerning the child’s upbringing, including the child’s education, health care and religious training.
In Indiana, there is no presumption favoring either parent. The court determines custody in accordance with the best interests of the child. In determining the best interest, the court considers all relevant factors including the age and sex of the child, the wishes of the child’s parents, the wishes of the child, the interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child’s parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s interests, the child’s adjustment to his home, school, and community, the mental and physical health of all individuals involved, any evidence of domestic or family violence, and any evidence that the child may have been cared for by a defacto custodian.
Relocation of a minor child depends on the unique facts and circumstances of each case. The relocating individual must file a notice of intent with the clerk of the court and, upon motion of either party, the court will set the matter for hearing to determine if the relocating parent may actually relocate with the minor child. There are specific timing and content requirements related to the notice. Initially, the relocating individual has the burden to prove that the proposed relocation is made in good faith and for legitimate reason, which, if proven, the non-relocating parent must then show that the proposed relocation is not in the best interest of the child.
The amount of child support is governed by application of the Indiana Child Support Guidelines. The Guidelines are designed to ensure consistency and predictability in child support amounts. In any proceeding there is a rebuttable presumption that the amount of child support which would be awarded by applying the Indiana Child Support Guidelines is correct. However, the court may conclude that the evidence in a particular case justifies deviating from the Guideline amount.
The Guidelines utilize a Child Support Obligation Worksheet to calculate the presumed child support amount, which considers weekly gross income, any subsequent born children, any support obligation or duty for prior born children, maintenance received by either party, work-related child care expenses of each parent, weekly insurance premiums paid to provide insurance coverage for the children, and a parenting time credit which is based on the number of overnights exercised by the parent paying support.
A child support obligation may be modified upon a showing of changed circumstances so substantial and continuing as to make the terms of the existing order unreasonable. A child support order may also be modified upon a showing that a party has been ordered to pay an amount in child support that differs by more than 20% from the amount that would be ordered by applying the child support guidelines and the order requested to be modified was issued at least 12 months before the petition was filed.
In a divorce, the court will divide the property of the parties whether the property was owned by either spouse before the marriage, acquired by either spouse after the marriage and before the filing of the petition for dissolution or acquired by the joint efforts of both parties.
In Indiana, an equal division of the marital property is presumed to be just and reasonable. However, an equal division of marital property is not mandated by the court and the presumption of an equal division may be rebutted by a party who presents relevant evidence that an equal division would not be just and reasonable.