“I want to appeal!” is a statement we hear often. However, many individual’s knowledge of appeals is very limited. Understanding the appeal process can be confusing, even for attorneys. Whether it be an appeal of a final order or an interlocutory appeal as of right, having a basic understanding of the beginning process of appeals will go a long way. This blog provides the three key questions you should ask yourself when considering ... Read More
13
Feb2020
06
Feb2020
One question we frequently hear from our clients is “can I get attorney fees?” Unfortunately, the answer to this question is, it depends. The main reason for the uncertainty surrounding the ability to obtain attorney fees is due to the fact that our legal system follows what is known as the American Rule. The American Rule is a deviation away from the old common law rule (known as the English Rule), which required the losing party of a particular matter to pay the winning party’s ... Read More
15
Jan2020
A frequent question we receive from our clients seeking an appeal is whether or not they can stay1 the trial court’s ruling during the pendency of the appeal. The answer to that question is, it depends. In general, seeking a stay during the pendency of an appeal is difficult to accomplish. Whether you will be successful in seeking a stay of the trial court’s order depends on the specific facts of the case and what is at issue for stay (property and/or custody). In this blog, we provide a brief overview of ... Read More
09
Jan2020
Indiana provides parties involved in legal disputes, whether it be criminal or civil in nature, with the opportunity to appeal the outcome of the case, albeit, with some exceptions. Like most everything else in life, an individual’s entitlement to an appeal is not absolute. There are certain requirements that must be met in order to effectively preserve your ability to pursue an appeal. In this blog, we look at three basic components to an appeal and provide a brief overview of information so that you do not ... Read More
06
Dec2019
The short answer is, it depends. In Indiana, there are two primary ways to obtain appellate attorney fees in a divorce matter. The first is found in Indiana Code section 31-15-10-1.1 The second is found under Indiana Rule of Appellate Procedure 66(E). Your basis for seeking attorney’s fees will determine which statute/rule to proceed under. In this blog, we provide a brief overview of the two mechanisms for obtaining appellate attorney’s fees in a divorce case, ... Read More
27
Nov2019
Most of us have probably heard the phrase “you have the right to a speedy trial” at some point in our lives. But, you may be wondering, what is the right to a speedy trial? And more importantly, what happens if I am denied a “speedy” trial? This blog provides a brief overview of the right to a speedy trial, as well as the effects a violation of your right may have on your criminal case.
The United States and Indiana ... Read More
19
Nov2019
Very few cases go directly to the Indiana Supreme Court (ISC) as a matter of right.1 Most cases wind up in the ISC as a matter of discretion. The way this occurs is a party to a Court of Appeals’ (COA) decision (Indiana’s intermediate appellate court) seeks transfer. The ISC must accept the case. When it does so, it vacates the COA’s decision. This blog explores what the ISC may do on transfer and highlights a new case the reflects a change in the ... Read More
16
Oct2019
We have all heard on television or from an unsatisfied litigant they will take their case to the Supreme Court. In reality, most cases have a right to be appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals (COA). The Indiana Supreme Court (ISC) must accept most cases by a litigant timely filing a Petition to Transfer after the COA decides the case. The Indiana Supreme Court then decides which cases it will take and denies transfer to the remaining cases (it does not hear them). ... Read More
19
Sep2019
In general, an individual cannot appeal a trial court’s decision until there is a final judgment in the case. A final judgment is one that disposes of all pending issues in a case. There are, however, exceptions to the “final judgment rule.” As one may imagine, a judge typically does not decide all issues in a case at one time. In fact, judges make numerous rulings in cases. There are times when a judge will make ... Read More
28
Aug2019
Indiana is fortunate to have an intermediate appellate court where every litigant with a final order can appeal as a matter of right if they have a good-faith basis the trial court erred.1 A significant amount of the entire civil docket is family law, so there are thousands of family law final orders issued each year. If you do not prevail and are considering an appeal, the blog may assist you as it addresses the three strongest types of family law appeals, ... Read More