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Indiana Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Indiana on
Q: My father is dying I’m his only child what steps do I need to take toSecure truck and part value of house

House he’s not married I am the only child

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jul 17, 2023

As long as paternity is established or acknowledged (i.e. you share the same surname), and your father dies intestate (without a Will) as an only child, you are his sole heir, you inherit everything that your father owns. That said, if your father prepares a will and decides to leave his estate to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Indiana on
Q: My son is 16 has been living with his mom but now wants to live with me. His mom agrees, do we need to go to court

I live in Indiana she lives in Ohio (approximately 32 miles apart) We never had child support issued by the court, we always had our own agreement. The state of Ohio determined paternity when he was 4 and that I had to carry insurance on him and have since. I’m am on the birth certificate as the... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 11, 2023

In situations where both parents agree to a change in custody arrangements, it is generally recommended to seek a formal modification of the custody order through the court system. While you may have had your own agreement and have been able to co-parent without involving the court in the past,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Indiana on
Q: If the sheriff serves my husband divorce papers, will they know he has a warrant in GA?

We live in Indiana

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 6, 2023

The service of divorce papers by the sheriff in Indiana typically pertains to the divorce proceedings in Indiana itself. The sheriff's role is to deliver the divorce papers to your husband and ensure that he is aware of the divorce case in Indiana. However, it is important to note that the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Indiana on
Q: I am looking to do a step parent adoption for my daughter. Her dad hasn't been around for 11 years. I need cheap service

My daughter has not spoken nor been around her birth father for 11 years now. I don't have much money to spend but want my daughter to legally be my husband's child. She has been begging to do this and we just don't have the resources or know how to do it.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 27, 2023

If the birth father is in agreement with the adoption, a competent attorney with family law experience in or near the county where you live ought to be able to complete the adoption inexpensively—likely less than $5,000.

If the birth father objects, or you can’t locate him, it will...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Family Law for Indiana on
Q: Hello, I am wondering, Can I sell my home in my name to my spouse if I plan on filing bankruptcy within a few months

We are recently separated, AND it would be for what is currently owed.

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Feb 15, 2023

Ms. Lipan's answer is correct, I think, as far as it goes.

Yes, for bankruptcy purposes (and some Indiana state laws), the amount you receive for your interest in property needs to be the fair/market value (and be able to prove that).

But there is another field of law to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for Indiana on
Q: If the tpr has filed and they took my parental rights and I've filed the appeals in supreme court.howdoufile us supreme

And they never ask family or a friend if they could take adoption or gaurdingship how do file for this

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 4, 2023

U.S. Supreme Court practice is among the most unique and highly specialized areas of law. Because the U.S. Supreme Court has discretionary jurisdiction, it chooses what cases it gets to hear and decide. In any given year, the court hears 50-60 of the 7,000-8,000 cases filed. So the vast... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Communications Law, Constitutional Law and Elder Law for Indiana on
Q: I was not notified of a court hearing in KY, what can I do?

My wife's son, from a previous marriage, has filed for guardian and conservator over my wife and apparently was already awarded emergency guardianship. He emailed my son and I unofficial and incomplete documents wanting us to sign my right to be notified away and we refused because my wife... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 17, 2024

In Kentucky, the law requires that certain interested parties be notified of guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. According to Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 387.580, the person for whom a guardian or conservator is sought (your wife, in this case) must be notified, unless the court finds... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Family Law and Civil Rights for Indiana on
Q: DCS had custody of my child,was molested n then left in home almost 90 days after reported it. Do we have a lawsuit?

My daughter was 12yrs old n taken from her biological parents, us, for the first time, and placed with her oldest sister n her fiancee. When I first was told by DCS where they placed her, I immediately said no, her sister, so I thought, will abuse her cause she's always been jealous of her... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 17, 2024

I strongly recommend consulting with an experienced attorney who specializes in child welfare cases and civil lawsuits against government agencies. They will be able to review the details of your case, advise you on the best course of action, and help you understand your legal rights and options.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Indiana on
Q: We have full custody of my step daughter. Bio mom lost all rights. We placed a restraining order (pending court) against

her after an incident of her showing up at our house for the second time, so she can not come onto our property. In return she filed a restraining order on bio dad who has full custody and she filed it against the daughter to try to make it where he cannot be around her legally, even though he has... View More

Robbin Trowbridge Benko
Robbin Trowbridge Benko
answered on Jan 4, 2024

Hi ~ I'm a bit confused and need some answers from you so that I can properly address your concern.

What were the grounds Bio mom stated for needing a protective order? What parenting time, if any, does bio mom have? I don't understand how a protective order can be against dad...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Indiana on
Q: Two minors want to move from MS to Indiana by their selves to live. What is law in reference to minors living alone?

At the time they plan to move, one of the young ladies will be 17 and the second will be 1 month away from turning 17. They want to live by themselves with no adults. I need to know what Indiana's law is in this regard please.

Robbin Trowbridge Benko
Robbin Trowbridge Benko
answered on Dec 18, 2023

No. Even if you're a parent, if you are under 18 your parents still have the right to custody of you and the responsibility to support you, until you turn 18 or become legally emancipated.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Indiana on
Q: I told my mother I was moving to Indiana. She said she came into some money and would purchase me a home if I picked one

Out online. On the drive from California I selected one and she put in an offer. I met her 2 hours after closing at which time she delivered me the keys and told me she was going to go home right then and do a quick claim deed. Shortly after we got into a disagreement. I have been here for almost... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 2, 2023

In TN, and most all States, any promises to convey land must be in writing. Otherwise it violates the Statute of Frauds.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Indiana on
Q: Service by publication forms
Heather L Franklin
Heather L Franklin pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 3, 2023

Service by publication for family law matters - including custody modifications - should only be used when you don't have an address for the other party or reliable contact information to get an address for them. The Indiana Trial Rule governing service by publication is Rule 4.13 and the rule... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Tax Law, Civil Rights and Federal Crimes for Indiana on
Q: What's first step to prove that someone has power of attorney over me

I'm in fear for my life

Carli Jo Aelker
Carli Jo Aelker
answered on Nov 7, 2022

If you are wondering about the IRS, you can look online for third party authorizations on your IRS online portal or you can call and directly speak to a rep. via 1-800-829-1040.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Civil Rights for Indiana on
Q: My ex wife, asked me to take her back. Two months later, and nearly $800roughly, she tells me about her girlfriend.

She promised me my family could be together and that our kids could be sisters again. I live in Indiana. Idk what I can do. If anything. She's very abusive and I could list the things I've gone thru that I have proof of. I have text messages of her promising me, not me asking her to... View More

Betsy Walits
Betsy Walits
answered on Oct 15, 2022

I no longer practice law and am only finishing up a few cases so I cannot assist you, I can only state basic principles.

I don’t understand the “$800 later”. If you only put 800 out of pocket consider yourself lucky.

If you want to sue her fraud you probably could, but the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Indiana on
Q: I am wanting to file a seperation / protective order how does this work

Is he allowed to come back to the property

Is he required to pay child support

Derrick  Storms
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answered on Sep 20, 2022

A Protective Order also called an Order of Protection can be filed in Family Court, Divorce Court, or Criminal Court. In order to exclude your spouse or significant other from the home, you will need to request an exclusionary order. This will require you to allege specific dates in your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Indiana on
Q: The sheriffs department has denied me copies of the autopsy pictures from my sons autopsy, how can I obtain them?

County coroners office says they did not take pictures of autopsy(only investigative pictures from the scene and they won’t release those) but the sheriffs department did take pics of autopsy. I have requested them and they denied them but I need them to have his case properly investigated.... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Aug 15, 2022

You offer no explanation for asserting that you know autopsy photos exist or why the Coroner and the Sheriff would prevent you from getting them. The easiest way to memorialize your request for the documents is to make a FOIA request. Serve one on the corner and serve another on the sheriff.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Indiana on
Q: My ex and I have a temp order that ends in Aug. He begged me and begged for a year to let him move back to Texas

With the kids. I broke and let him. Now with me having same job same home for yrs and he had moved 4 times and was engaged twice within a year shows me he is unstable. What are my chances if getting full custody?

James A Hanson
James A Hanson
answered on Jul 9, 2022

There is much confusion about what "custody" actually means.

If there is an active case in Indiana for either Paternity or Divorce, then any party wanting to move out of Indiana is going to have the burden of explaining why that move is in the child's best interests....
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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Indiana on
Q: Does having a closed dcfs case automatically disqualify someone from adoption?

My husband has a daughter, her biological mother has not seen or talked to her in a year and a half. I would like to adopt her through stepparent adoption. We know we would have to argue for her rights to be involuntarily terminated for abandonment. My issue is, I have a DCFS case because prior to... View More

James A Hanson
James A Hanson
answered on Jun 20, 2022

Based on the facts you provide in your question, it is likely you won't have much trouble with an adoption. However, because you have that CPS record, it would be helpful to hire a family law attorney to guide you through the process and iron out any wrinkles with the court regarding your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Indiana on
Q: Can the state still collect child support although the father has been paying me monthly and ive reported it?

I moved to indiana from cali. When i lived in cali, i had to apply for help as i had a min paying job and the father became the daycare as daycare was outrageously expensive. He did side jobs and gave me money. I reported this as well. We eventually worked out our differences and moved to indiana... View More

James A Hanson
James A Hanson
answered on Jun 10, 2022

Indiana does not allow retroactive changes to child support. However, you can explain to a court that payments were made to satisfy child support to eliminate arrearages.

You should probably get the child support re-calculated now that your financial and expense situations are different...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Indiana on
Q: Soon to be ex scare tactics or?

Soon to be ex husband says his lawyer said he doesn’t have to prove me incompetent to get full custody just that he’s the better situation. In his mind he's the better situation because he's the money maker. I'm still however fully capable of taking care of my children and have... View More

James A Hanson
James A Hanson
answered on Jun 1, 2022

The fact that your ex has a lawyer only underscores the importance for you to retain an attorney and ask these detailed questions to that attorney in a confidential setting.

More generally, the legal standard in Indiana is the "best interests of the children" meaning that the...
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