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I am a mother with four children aged 10 (female), 8 (male), 6 (male), and 5 (male). I would like to know if Indiana law permits us to live in a 2-bedroom apartment.
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answered on May 16, 2025
In Indiana, there is no specific law that directly limits the number of people who can live in a certain size apartment. However, there are local building codes and occupancy standards that landlords typically follow to ensure that the living conditions are safe and suitable. These standards... View More 
I am going through a divorce and have questions about the equity in our home. The house was purchased after our marriage with my spouse putting down 20%. Three years after the purchase, my spouse removed my name from the deed through a quit claim deed, which I felt was manipulated. We have one... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
This is a painful and complicated situation, and you're right to question how the house equity should be handled. Even if your name was removed from the deed, that doesn’t automatically mean you gave up your marital interest in the home. If the house was purchased during the marriage—even... View More
I'm seeking legal advice regarding a recent incident with my former propane provider that occurred two days ago. They entered my property without prior notification or consent to retrieve their tank. They waited for me to leave for work, causing distress to my wife and children, who felt... View More
answered on May 15, 2025
So the owner of the tank committed a technical trespass to retrieve its property without any harm to your property. If that is what happened, move along. You say no but it is highly unlikely that any document that allowed you to use the tank didn't include language to retrieve it. Either... View More
I abruptly moved out of my lease in September last year due to my roommates threatening my life over text and behaving aggressively. I have documented proof of these threats. The property management initially instructed me to send them the proof to remove me from the lease, which I did through text... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
What you’re going through is deeply serious, and you deserve to feel safe and protected—especially with a child involved. When there are documented threats, drug activity, and violence, your safety takes priority over lease technicalities. Indiana law may allow early lease termination in cases... View More
In an Indiana real estate transaction, is a prefabricated shed considered part of the real estate or chattel, especially when it is not attached to and does not match the house? There was no mention of the shed in the purchase agreement or listing, nor any prior communication about it. The opposing... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In Indiana, whether a prefabricated shed is considered part of the real estate or chattel depends on how it is affixed and intended to be used. Indiana courts generally follow the doctrine of fixtures, which considers three main factors: the method of attachment, the adaptation of the item to the... View More
I received a court notice indicating a lien from a sewer company due to delinquent charges in Indiana, and my property tax bill now includes an additional $5000. The sewer company previously billed inaccurately without any resolution or offered payment plan. The notice from the court did not... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
Yes, under Indiana Code IC 36-9-23-32, unpaid sewer charges can legally become a lien on your property and be added to your property tax bill. This statute allows municipal utilities and certain sewer companies to certify unpaid charges to the county auditor, who then adds the amount to your... View More
I live in Indiana and permitted someone to stay at my house to serve their home detention time, provided they remain sober, which they have not. They have been here for about three weeks, and despite my request for them to leave, they refuse. The person's case manager approved their stay, but... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
If the person staying in your home refuses to leave and you never had a formal lease agreement, Indiana law still treats them as a guest who may have established some residency rights. Once someone has stayed for a certain period—like your three weeks—they can’t just be forced out without... View More
Is there a maximum limit on the amount collected as a security deposit from a residential tenant for a new one-year lease in an apartment in Allen County, Indiana?
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answered on May 15, 2025
Indiana law does not place a specific cap on the amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit. That means in Allen County—or anywhere in the state—landlords can set the deposit amount based on their own discretion, as long as it's not being used in a way that discriminates or... View More
Can a city in Indiana repeatedly remove items such as bicycles, a washer, a dryer, patio furniture, a grill, and lawnmowers from my yard, considering them trash, and charge $5,000 to my property taxes without a warrant? I received tickets but no prior notice or opportunity to appear before a judge... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
What you're experiencing sounds deeply frustrating and potentially unfair, especially when your personal property is being taken without warning or a chance to defend yourself. In Indiana, cities can enforce ordinances about yard maintenance and nuisance abatement, but they are still required... View More
My husband's grandfather passed away nearly two years ago, leaving behind a home and construction business assets. He had four daughters, but only one survives; my husband's mother, one of his daughters, has also passed away. Since my husband's grandfather's passing, my husband... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
If your husband pays the property taxes to stop the sale, it may be possible to recover the money—but only under certain conditions. Since he isn’t a legally recognized heir or administrator of the estate at this moment, any payment he makes would be voluntary unless he's acting under... View More
I own a residential property in Indiana, and I've noticed that the assessment for my land and structures increased by 6% from 2024 to 2025. Is there a cap to this increase at 2%, and how should I address or contest this increase if it exceeds such a limit?
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answered on May 15, 2025
Your frustration is completely understandable—property assessment increases can feel sudden and confusing. In Indiana, there isn’t a strict 2% cap on assessment *increases* themselves. What is capped is the amount of property tax *you pay*, based on your property’s gross assessed value. For... View More
I have received a notice from a sanitation company stating they will place a lien on my home due to an unpaid bill in my mother's name. However, the home has been legally transferred to my name, and there are no previous legal agreements or debts tied to the property from when it was in her... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In Indiana, a lien for unpaid sanitation or utility services may attach to the property itself, not just the individual who used the service. That means if the debt was tied to the property while it was still in your mother’s name, and service was provided to that address, the company may have a... View More
I would like to know if there are any zoning laws or restrictions in Evansville regarding the use of recycled tires as raised garden beds. Additionally, are there specific regulations or permissions required to use recycled materials such as tires for gardening purposes in my area?
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answered on May 14, 2025
You're asking a great question, especially as more people look for sustainable and creative ways to garden. In Evansville, local zoning and code enforcement may not specifically ban the use of recycled tires in gardens, but they could have rules about how materials are used or displayed in... View More
I had a dispute with my past landlord, Sterling Group, starting in 2023, over inaccurate charges for alleged unpaid rent and fees after I moved out. Despite my lease terms and final payment records indicating otherwise, Sterling Group plans to report a balance to collections. I have multiple emails... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You may have grounds for legal action if your landlord is reporting inaccurate debt and causing harm to your rental history. The fact that you have documentation, such as emails and a ledger showing a zero balance, strengthens your case. If the landlord is intending to report false information to... View More
I live in Indiana and my neighbor has installed an eight-foot privacy fence directly behind my existing six-foot fence. I suspect the fence was erected out of spite due to past conflicts between us. My neighbor did not obtain a permit for this construction. Is this legal, and can I take any action... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
What your neighbor did may very well cross the line, especially if the fence violates local zoning rules or was put up without a permit. In Indiana, most cities and counties have regulations limiting fence height—often to six feet for residential backyards—and they usually require permits for... View More
I was married to my wife for 2 years, and I left almost 2 years ago. We have not legally separated or initiated divorce proceedings. During our marriage, we did not have joint finances or property, and I bought a new home in Indiana using only my personal income, which was in my girlfriend's... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You're in a complicated place, and it’s understandable to want to protect what you’ve worked for. In Indiana, property acquired during a marriage—regardless of whose name it's in or who paid for it—is generally considered part of the marital estate until a divorce is finalized.... View More
My husband purchased property six months before I moved in with him in 2010. I moved in 2011, and we married in 2013. He never added my name to the deed, but his daughter assured me of his wishes. He passed away in November 2023 with no will, and it was stated I could live here until I died or... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
You’re in a very difficult and uncertain situation, especially after the loss of both your husband and his daughter. In Indiana, when someone dies without a will, their estate passes through intestate succession laws. Because your husband bought the property before you were married and never... View More
I'm in Indiana and my landlord included a clause in our year-long lease stating, "The owner shall have the right to terminate only after providing at least 30 days' notice to the Tenant(s)." My landlord is now requesting that I vacate the property in approximately 45 days due to... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In Indiana, if you have a fixed-term lease—like a one-year lease—that lease protects your right to stay for the full term, unless there's clear language that allows early termination for a specific reason, such as the sale of the property. The clause you mentioned, “The owner shall have... View More
I have set rules about my adult son having friends over without permission. Recently, his friends, including one minor, were at my property without my knowledge and were engaging in reckless behavior outside in the yard. They got injured by burning themselves, possibly while drinking. There were no... View More
answered on May 13, 2025
An Indiana attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. Some jurisdictions have laws imposing liability upon a homeowner if they allow or have knowledge of minors consuming alcohol on their property (social host laws). At this point, you could check with local attorneys... View More
Can I legally sublease my house in Leo, Indiana, at my renter's request, even though the lease agreement prohibits subleasing? My tenant wants to leave the country for 6 months and prefers that I sublease the property during their absence. What are my legal obligations and potential consequences?
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
In Indiana, subleasing is governed primarily by the terms of the lease agreement, as state law does not specifically grant tenants the right to sublet. If your lease explicitly prohibits subleasing, then proceeding with a sublease would constitute a breach of contract. This could lead to legal... View More
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