Indiana trial court judges are tasked with the duty to make sure that at the time of divorce (or paternity) adjudication the children’s best interests are met. If the parents have an agreement on custody and it is not contested, they may infer that agreement of the parties is in the children’s best interests. However, where physical and/or legal custody is contested, there are four key ways a trial court judge determines what is in a ... Read More
19
Aug2019
27
Jul2019
Indiana's Safe Haven Law promises anonymity, but are there exceptions? Ciyou & Dixon, P.C. Family Law Attorney, Julie C. Dixon speaks with RTV6 Indianapolis about this complicated issue.
17
Jul2019
Long gone are the days that mothers have a leg up on fathers because of the Tender Years’ Presumption. This presumption was that infants and perhaps toddlers were better served in their mother’s custody. Now fathers obtain physical and legal custody or are successful in the modification of custody with some frequency. Basically, it all comes down to the evidence the Court receives to determine what is in the child’s best interest. This blog covers the top six things fathers can ... Read More
09
Jul2019
Divorce is shrouded in fear and urban legend. However, for most couples in a broken relationship, it is the pathway to move on in a new and more positive direction when the divorce is ultimately granted by the Court. While divorce is a complex legal and financial transaction—and also an emotional one—sometimes involving professionals from psychologists to tax experts, it all boils down to three basic concepts you must understand to properly begin a divorce or help a ... Read More
01
Jul2019
In law, there are innumerable situations without clear answers. With this particular question, as a general rule, the answer is, “probably not”. This was somewhat common in the 1960s and 1970s. As a result, the states eventually adopted a version of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act.1 This law provides a mechanism for states that are competing over the matter between two parents to resolve their dispute over at least custody of ... Read More
27
Jun2019
In today’s world of cheap flights and parents working globally, it is not uncommon for divorced parents or those with children born out of wedlock to want to take their child to the Caribbean for a vacation or meet up abroad at the end of a work trip. This means the child will need a passport. Under the State Department Guidance, the best way to do so is with both parents authorizing the passport application. ... Read More
20
Jun2019
Navigating the divorce process raises a lot of questions for parents. It’s common to have concerns about your physical and legal custody, especially when both parties don’t automatically agree on a plan. That’s when it might be time to call on a child custody lawyer. Whether you’re seeking primary or joint custody, you need to show the court how you provide for and spend quality time with your children—and that what you want for custody is ... Read More
17
Jun2019
The United States Supreme Court has long recognized the “fundamental right of parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children.”1 This fundamental right to parent is why the Indiana Courts place the burden of proof on the Department of Child Services (“DCS”) when it comes to proving that a child is a child in need of services (“CHINS”). Specifically, our Indiana Supreme Court has found that DCS must prove three ... Read More
13
Jun2019
The right to parent your child is a fundamental right, guaranteed by the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. But, just like anything else in life, that right is not absolute. For example, parents who abuse their children, whether it be physical or verbal, do not have an absolute right to parent their child anymore. When a child is found to be in a detrimental home environment or found not having their basic needs met, ... Read More
12
Jun2019
Research consistently shows that the more involved a father is, the more successful his child is. Yet, winning primary or joint custody in a divorce case can be difficult for dads, even with the courts’ increasingly progressive views of co-parenting. Though it’s commonly believed that mothers “always” win primary custody, dads who prove their involvement and commitment in their child’s life can make an equally compelling case in today’s legal system. ... Read More