When a family business becomes part of a divorce, it can bring complex challenges for both spouses. Dividing assets, especially a business, requires careful handling to make sure everyone gets a fair deal. Understanding how a family business gets divided in an Indiana divorce is necessary for managing this aspect of divorce proceedings. Assessing the value Determining the value of the business is the first step. This process requires conducting a thorough evaluation of assets, liabilities and potential future earnings. Couples may hire professional appraisers to provide an accurate assessment ..read more

Now that the first weeks of school are complete and we are well into our fall schedules, we can start looking ahead to the next big upheaval: the holidays. The holiday season means more than just a change in the daily school routine; it also means that parents who share custody of their children need to make sure their parenting arrangements make the most of holiday celebrations and honor the underlying agreement. How can you balance it all? The following tips can help. #1: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure This adage rings true when putting together the initial parenting plan. I ..read more

Would it surprise you to learn that nearly seven percent of Indiana children live with their grandparents? Like many grandparents, you may want custody or to adopt your grandchildren, especially if they are in danger or their parents abandoned them. As a close relative, you do receive preference in the adoption process. Therefore, this is what you should know about grandparent adoptions in Indiana. Termination of parental rights requirement To adopt your grandchildren, their biological parents need to give up their parental rights or the court needs to take them. The courts may remove children ..read more

As a marriage unfolds, divorce eventually ends up in the conversation. With Indiana ranking as one of the states with the highest divorce rates, you know many others have gone through similar situations. For couples who have accumulated wealth, things often get more complicated, which often leads many high-asset couples to choose mediation as the best option. Here are three reasons to use mediation in your divorce. 1. Ensure privacy Regardless of where the wealth comes from, having it often means that you have made a name for yourself as a pillar in the community. Whether a business leader or ..read more

Co-parenting is a popular term, becoming more mainstream in recent years. It reflects the ability of divorced parents to continue raising their children together in a cooperative manner. Divorce can be contentious, but your children should not pay the price for that. Strong co-parenting skills ensure that your kids maintain a good relationship with both parents without unnecessary fighting and tension after the divorce. Put everything in writing Misunderstandings, miscommunications and forgotten information lead to contention in co-parenting situations. Protect your child, your ex and yourself ..read more

Under Indiana law, most property acquired during a marriage is part of the marital estate. If the parties get divorced, the court will divide this property equally between the two parties. A divorcing party may petition for an unequal division if they can show factors that would cause the court to award more assets to them or that a specific property is not part of the marital assets. Factors considered in the distribution of assets If one party does something to waste or dispose of marital assets before the divorce, the court may award the other spouse a more significant portion of the remain ..read more

If your marriage reaches a point at which divorce is the best thing for yourself and for your children, then it is for the best that you go your separate ways. However, there are many concerns to address before the divorce process comes to a conclusion. Entrepreneurs going through a complex divorce have their businesses to worry about when it comes to asset division. Your business is your livelihood, so you need to understand if divorce will split your business in two and what you can do to avoid that fate. Your business may be marital property In the state of Indiana, a business is subject to ..read more

The topic of child custody is often the most taxing topic that comes up during a divorce. Custody cases can also arise outside of a divorce or parental separation, such as in cases where the circumstances or living conditions of the parent or guardian change. Grandparents seeking custody can obtain either guardianship or adoption, with guardianship still leaving some rights and responsibilities with the parents. What are some scenarios where grandparents may gain custody of their grandchild in Indiana? One parent or both parents die The tragic event of one or both parents or guardians passing ..read more

If you have endured a divorce and no longer have custody of your children, your parenting time is crucial. This time is your main resource when it comes to preserving your relationship with your kids. In Indiana law, parenting time has many details that are easy to overlook. Examining these details can help you avoid issues that put families in jeopardy. Communication One of the most important aspects of parenting time is communication. If your ex changes his or her e-mail address, phone number, home address, or work address, you have the right to know about it. Also, as long as you keep the t ..read more

If you have children and are going through a divorce, you are likely to become familiar with the best interests of the child standard. This legal standard is the one by which judges in the Hoosier State make custody-related determinations. That is, judges have a legal obligation to do what is best for the kids. Sometimes, despite what the parents and their attorneys may say, the best interests of the child are not readily discernable. In these instances, which may involve custody or paternity disputes, judges often appoint a guardian ad litem. Who is the GAL? In Indiana, a GAL is usually a vol ..read more