Existing parenting time orders are enforced according to the parenting time guidelines that were in effect on the date the most recent parenting time order was issued, so only parenting time and custody orders issued after December 31, 2021, are governed by these amendments.

The most substantive amendment to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is the inclusion of a section titled “Shared Parenting.” Shared Parenting is a model to assist parents who require less separation in their personal relationship and wish for a more seamless blending of child rearing practices in their two homes.

The January 1, 2022, amendment of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines includes the addition of a section call “Custody and Parenting Time During a Public Health Emergency.” The COVID-19 pandemic caused issues for separated families that were not anticipated.

Special family events such as weddings, funerals, and reunions are the types of events outside the normal family routine which may require a modification to the parenting time schedule to allow the child to attend.

The January 1, 2022 amendments to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines provide a number of factors for Judges to consider when they are determining whether a particular parenting plan exceeding the specific parenting time provisions set forth in the Guidelines is safe, secure, developmentally responsive, and in the best interests of the child.

A guardianship may be necessary for a minor child if the child’s parent or parents are unable to care for their child. This may be due to short-term and temporary circumstances, such as the incarceration of the parent or a parent traveling outside the United States for a period of time.

Prenuptial Agreements are an excellent investment in a marriage. In many, if not most, cases, prenuptial agreements prevent or minimize disputes at the time of dissolution or death.

Couples who marry in Indiana are required to obtain a marriage license prior to the marriage. To apply for a marriage license, both spouses must go to the Clerk’s office in person in the county in which either spouse resides.

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are guidelines regarding custody and parenting time arrangements which are utilized by courts, mediators, and attorneys in family law cases.

A common scenario family law attorneys encounter is a divorce client who is unaware that all assets, no matter how titled, are subject to division in the case.

When the need for a guardianship arises, the request is filed in the state having jurisdiction over the person in need, known as the protected person. Once a guardianship is granted, that Court retains jurisdiction over the guardianship.

Alcohol and substance use dependence can be a prevalent issue in family law cases. Courts often place requirements on a parent who struggles with alcohol or substance use in order for that parent to safely exercise parenting time with their child or children.

Judges are frequently asked to make custody and parenting time decisions in cases where there is a high level of conflict between parents.

Four months into the coronavirus pandemic, families are still facing difficult choices as school years are beginning and plans are being changed with frequency.

The calculation of child support requires a court to determine each parent’s “weekly gross income.” The determination of a parent’s weekly gross income for purposes of child support can be a complex calculation that is controlled by the Indiana Child Support Guidelines.

Not all forms of ownership of real property offer the same rights and obligations to the owners of the property. The type of ownership of real property determines how the property is titled, the rights each owner has in the property, and how ownership in the property can be terminated.

The Stay at Home Order specifically authorizes parents to travel to exchange their child for parenting time when parenting time is ordered pursuant to a Court Order.

Governor Halcomb issued a “Stay at Home” Order (Executive Order 20-08) on March 23, 2020 directing individuals to stay at home unless they are engaging in essential services or essential activities.