4 Indiana Ave Valparaiso, IN 46383
info@langerlaw.com
Dealing with family law matters can be overwhelming and emotionally challenging. At Langer & Langer, we handle a wide range of family law issues in Porter and LaPorte County, including divorce, child custody disputes, college expenses, child support, spousal support, paternity cases, property division, visitation disputes, and domestic violence matters. Having a dedicated Indiana family law attorney by your side can make all the difference.
Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of Indiana family law and provide compassionate guidance, assertive advocacy, and practical solutions tailored to your family’s needs. When you choose our firm, you receive trusted legal representation from attorneys recognized as leaders in the field. Attorney Michael Langer has been honored as a Two-Year Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, a recognition awarded to those who achieve outstanding results without compromising client support.
With the right legal support, you can protect your rights, navigate court proceedings with confidence, and move forward with clarity and peace of mind. Our team is ready to help you handle even the most challenging domestic relations matters. Call us at 219-356-2644 to schedule an initial consultation and take the first step toward safeguarding your rights and your family’s future.
A divorce is a legal process by which a marriage is legally terminated and the parties are restored to the status of single persons. In a divorce proceeding, other related issues such as disposition of property, child support, child custody, and parenting time are resolved by the parties, a mediator, or a court with guidance from a qualified Indiana divorce lawyer.
At least one of the parties must have been a resident of the State of Indiana or stationed at a United States Military Installation within Indiana for six months immediately proceeding the filing of the petition for dissolution. In addition, at least one of the parties must have been a resident of the county or stationed at a United States Military Installation within the county where the petition is filed for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition for dissolution.
A final hearing is not allowed to be held any earlier than 60 days after the filing of the petition for dissolution. The case may be delayed because of crowded court dockets. In addition, the extent to which aspects of the case are contested will also impact how long a divorce may take.
The court may order spousal maintenance in a dissolution of marriage if the court finds one of the following:
In addition, after considering a spouse’s educational level, whether there has been an interruption in the education or employment as a result of homemaking responsibilities, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the spouse seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment, a court may find that rehabilitative maintenance for that spouse is necessary for a period not to exceed three years.
Prenuptial (antenuptial) agreements are legal contracts entered into by parties contemplating marriage in order to settle their property rights during marriage and upon termination of marriage either by death or by dissolution. Such agreements are favored by Indiana law. Generally, an agreement should be in writing, contain full disclosure of all assets before the marriage, and be signed by both husband and wife. In addition, it is generally recommended that prenuptial agreements should be negotiated and reduced to writing well in advance of the anticipated wedding date and that both parties are represented by independent counsel.
Promptly collect all the records or other documents your lawyer requests. If it becomes necessary for your Indiana family lawyer to obtain such documents and records from another source, that will involve more effort and cost. Be prepared for telephone calls and office conferences with your attorney by maintaining a list of the issues or questions.
In Indiana, family law disputes can often be resolved without court through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including mediation, collaborative law, arbitration, early neutral evaluation, and settlement conferences, which are generally faster, less expensive, and less stressful than traditional litigation.
Physical custody defines with whom the minor child will reside and who is responsible for the care, supervision, or welfare of the minor child. Legal custody defines the person who has the authority and responsibility for the major decisions concerning the child’s upbringing, including the child’s education, health care, and religious training. Joint legal custody means that both parties will share authority and responsibility for the major decisions concerning the child’s upbringing, including the child’s education, health care and religious training.
In Indiana, there is no presumption favoring either parent. The court determines custody in accordance with the best interests of the child. In determining the best interest, the court considers all relevant factors including the age and sex of the child, the wishes of the child’s parents, the wishes of the child, the interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child’s parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s interests, the child’s adjustment to his home, school, and community, the mental and physical health of all individuals involved, any evidence of domestic or family violence, and any evidence that the child may have been cared for by a defacto custodian.
Relocation of a minor child depends on the unique facts and circumstances of each case. The relocating individual must file a notice of intent with the clerk of the court. The nonrelocating patent may then file an objection which must be timely and complaint with the statute. Upon motion of either party, the court will set the matter for hearing to determine if the relocating parent may actually relocate with the minor child. There are specific timing and content requirements related to the notice. Initially, the relocating individual has the burden to prove that the proposed relocation is made in good faith and for a legitimate reason, which, if proven, the non-relocating parent must then show that the proposed relocation is not in the best interest of the child. An Indiana child custody and child support modification attorney can assist with this process.
The amount of child support is governed by application of the Indiana Child Support Guidelines. The Guidelines are designed to ensure consistency and predictability in child support amounts. In any proceeding there is a rebuttable presumption that the amount of child support which would be awarded by applying the Indiana Child Support Guidelines is correct. However, the court may conclude that the evidence in a particular case justifies deviating from the Guideline amount. The Guidelines utilize a Child Support Obligation Worksheet to calculate the presumed child support amount, which considers weekly gross income, any subsequent born children, any support obligation or duty for prior born children, maintenance received by either party, work-related child care expenses of each parent, weekly insurance premiums paid to provide insurance coverage for the children, and a parenting time credit which is based on the number of overnights exercised by the parent paying support.
A child support obligation may be modified upon a showing of changed circumstances so substantial and continuing as to make the terms of the existing order unreasonable. A child support order may also be modified upon a showing that a party has been ordered to pay an amount in child support that differs by more than 20% from the amount that would be ordered by applying the child support guidelines and the order requested to be modified was issued at least 12 months before the petition was filed.
In a divorce, the court will divide the property of the parties whether the property was owned by either spouse before the marriage, acquired by either spouse after the marriage and before the filing of the petition for dissolution or acquired by the joint efforts of both parties.
In Indiana, an equal division of the marital property is presumed to be just and reasonable. However, an equal division of marital property is not mandated by the court and the presumption of an equal division may be rebutted by a party who presents relevant evidence that an equal division would not be just and reasonable.
The cost of a family lawyer in Indiana can vary depending on experience, the complexity of your case, and the location. Most family lawyers charge either an hourly rate, which typically ranges from $150 to $400 per hour, or a flat fee for specific services like uncontested divorces. Some lawyers may also offer payment plans or sliding scale fees in certain situations.
A family law attorney specializes in legal matters involving families, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence cases. These attorneys are trained to handle sensitive situations and represent clients in both negotiations and court proceedings related to family issues.
Yes, in some cases, a court-appointed attorney may be available for child custody matters, particularly if a parent cannot afford a private lawyer. However, this is generally limited to situations where parental rights or the child’s welfare are at significant risk, and the court determines that legal representation is necessary.
If you can’t afford a family attorney, you could try mediation, where a neutral person helps you work out custody or support issues, or collaborative law, which lets you and the other parent work with professionals to resolve things without going to court. You could also represent yourself, though that can be tricky, or look into legal aid services in Indiana for free or low-cost help.
© 2025 Langer & Langer • All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Payment | Business Development Solutions by Blue Summit SEO.
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data.
Have legal questions or need expert advice? Our experienced team is here to help.
