The most helpful divorce litigant is one who understands the divorce process for the issues in their case (such as disputed custody or division of high assets marital estates). In this blog we will survey some of the key considerations a judge will typically utilize in dividing up high asset estates; generally, these are net marital estates that surpass one million dollars in net worth (after the liabilities are deducted).
The place to start in understanding how judges look at property division is with the presumptions ... Read More
17
Jan2020
16
Jan2020
Upon divorce, your investment accounts, whether it be a common stock portfolio, retirement account, or pension, is a property that is subject to division upon divorce. That leads many to ask the question of whether they will have to sell the investment account in order to divide it upon divorce? This blog provides a brief overview of how investment accounts are handled upon divorce and provide an answer to the question of whether you are required to sell such investments.
In Indiana, ... Read More
08
Jan2020
Sometimes events occur in a marriage that trigger an immediate divorce filing, such as an episode of domestic violence between the parties and/or the children. More often, a marriage unravels and a spouse “wonders” if they should file and when. No matter when it occurs, divorce is long and emotionally draining experience. In reality, many couples stay together long after the marriage is no longer one based on love and mutual respect for many reasons, such as finances or children. That said, many divorces ... Read More
03
Jan2020
Indiana follows a “one-pot” theory when determining what property is to be considered part of the marital estate. This “one-pot” theory makes it so that all property, whether acquired before or during the marriage, is part of the marital estate.1 As such, if you or your spouse are a business owner, the business will be considered a part of the marital estate. With that, you may be wondering, “but how will the court determine the value of my business?” This blog provides a brief overview of ... Read More
30
Dec2019
Grandparents play an important role in many of our lives. Fortunately, the Indiana Legislature has recognized this importance and passed what is known as the Grandparent Visitation Act. The Grandparent Visitation Act gives grandparents the right to seek visitation, albeit, in limited and defined circumstances. Whether or not you can seek visitation of your grandchildren will depend on the specific facts of the case. In this blog, we provide a brief overview of the Grandparent Visitation Act and the circumstances that may give you the right ... Read More
27
Dec2019
A topic often spoken of in hushed tones or that is perceived as taboo is pre-divorce planning. While some spouses do this in an illicit way, such as liquidating and secreting assets, this is not divorce pre-planning a skilled family law attorney may assist you with.1 While pre-divorce planning is tailored to a specific case, this blog talks about three (3) typical areas of consideration to assist you with understanding the benefits of pre-divorce planning in your situation.
Pre-nuptial/Post-Nuptial: Perhaps the most effective pre-divorce planning tool is a pre-nuptial agreement ... Read More
23
Dec2019
When custody is decided by a court, the over-arching factor guiding the judge is the best interest of the child or children. This seems obvious but is also a broad and nebulous concept that often makes for a tough decision for a judge. While there are cases where there is drug abuse or abuse of the spouse or child, and it is pretty clear and easy for a judge to decide what would be in the child’s best interest, most are not so easy. In a ... Read More
19
Dec2019
Yes. However, should you?
Divorce is often the best of times and the worst of times at the same time. The turmoil of separating marital assets and deciding custody can take its toll. However, the excitement of the future outside a bad marriage is often exhilarating. That said, divorce is still emotionally taxing and financially hard. And, frankly, sometimes you do not get what you want at hearings and the case drags on and becomes a significant financial burden. It is at this time that all of this ... Read More
18
Dec2019
A common question litigants have in family law cases is whether there is a way they can be reimbursed for their attorney’s fees? The answer is somewhat complicated and it depends. In most litigation in the United States, we follow the “American Rule”, which is each side pays its own attorney’s fees. However, in divorce and paternity cases in trial courts and on appeal there are ways a party may recover some or all of his or her attorney’s fees. This blog ... Read More
13
Dec2019
It would be naive to think that it is a rare occasion that substance abuse by a parent is raised in divorce and paternity cases; it is common and must be addressed by the courts. In a divorce proceeding it is important to note that, substance abuse, covers a very broad spectrum of “drugs” and is considered in varying degrees. If you find yourself in a situation where the words “substance abuse” have been brought up in your divorce, you may find this blog helpful.
It is ... Read More