Lots of divorced parents alternate the right to claim child-related tax benefits: Mom gets the exemption in even-numbered years, and Father gets it in odd years (or vice versa). In 2021, the government passed the American Rescue Plan. That gave a generous child tax credit to single filers with income under $75,000 and joint married filers who earned less than $150,000. A child under 6 qualified... Source ..read more

Tell the Kids What to Expect Help your children prepare physically and emotionally for child exchanges by telling them what to expect: When For small children, a photo calendar on the refrigerator can be plastered with stickers that designate Mommy/Daddy days. For older children, an online calendar they can access from their electronic devices helps them plan ahead. For teens... Source ..read more

The Indiana Supreme Court recently published proposed revisions to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. Click here to read. Changes under consideration include: Child Exchanges If you bring someone with you, make sure that person doesn’t increase the level of conflict. Limit police station exchanges to parents with protective orders or a history of physical violence or intimidation. Source ..read more

Your kid just graduated from high school. Hurray! Good job. Now it’s on to college. She’s picking out dorm furnishings. He’s trying to convince you that he needs the newest electronics. Under Indiana law, your student became an adult on his/her 18 th birthday. But the high school probably didn’t treat you any differently when your child came of age. College is another world. A world that sees your... Source ..read more

Effective July 1, 2019: As of July 1, 2019, the law governing termination of child support has been modified. Under prior law, child support stopped on a child’s 19 th birthday, unless the child was incapacitated. This caused a problem for families with teens who were still in high school at 19. This modification is intended to cover a gap discovered after the age of child support termination was... Source ..read more

A Do NOT Do This List for Divorcing Parents When adults get divorced, they are often hurt, depressed, sad and/or angry. Emotions get even messier when you are a child or teenager whose parents are getting divorced. A child tries to find the new normal all while dealing with major upheaval in how they are cared for and who is caring for them. The child, as well as an adult, grieves the loss of the... Source ..read more

When parents with child custody orders move, current Indiana law requires a detailed formal notice 90 days in advance. That notice is required, even if you move from one apartment to another in the same complex. Starting July 1, 2019, that law will change, thanks to Senate Bill 292 that was enacted with the assistance of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Parental Relocation Task Force. Source ..read more

Gov. Holcomb was joined by ISBA Parental Relocation Task force members Donna J. Bays, Judge Lisa Berdine, Judge Julie Verheye, Sen. Randy Hood, Megan Wells, Jan Keefer, Andrew Soshnick, and ISBA Legislative Counsel Paje Felts. On May 29, 2019, Bays Family Law’s own, Donna J. Bays, stood with other Indiana State Bar Association Parental Relocation Task Force members as Governor Eric Holcomb signed... Source ..read more

Not without a court order. You see, going to college does not emancipate a child – even if she moves away. The age of child support emancipation is 19* unless a child is incapacitated or still are a high school student . Emancipation also occurs when a child gets married or enlists in the U.S. Armed Forces. Stopping support on your own before emancipation can get you in trouble. Source ..read more

10 Divorce Myths That Just Aren’t True in Indiana You can find just about anything with a Google search. But the fact you read it on the internet doesn’t make it true. It can be hard to tell what’s true when you’re clicking through the internet. Here are some myths we hear over and over again – that just aren’t true: Myth 1 – If your spouse doesn’t want to end the marriage, the judge might not... Source ..read more