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 child’s best interests. Most of the time litigants with their lawyers have the ability to choose or have input on the way the evidence ... Read More
Tag: child custody
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 do to maintain custody or prevail in custody modification by keeping or developing the evidence necessary for the Court ... 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 friend through the process: jurisdiction, property division, and child custody. The fundamentals of each of these components of a divorce are the ... 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 the children. This is a mechanism for two states in a divorce or paternity/custody case to decide who will handle and decide the case. Under this Act, when ... 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. However, one parent may apply and obtain a passport for their child if they provide a court order showing they have sole legal custody, such ... 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 in their best interests. Getting the right legal team on your side is key. This blog discusses the top five questions to ask child ... 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. There are a number of proactive steps you can take to improve your chances of obtaining custody during your divorce and/or for a modification after that are the focus ... Read More
06
Jun2019
In today’s world, fathers are more active in their children’s lives than ever. In households where both parents work, some fathers are their children’s primary caregivers. However, in the unfortunate situation where a divorce occurs, many fathers feel “doomed” and have the belief that mothers always get “custody”. This blog explores what “custody” means and provides key tips for fathers who seek custody in a divorce.
The point to start with is an understanding of both “physical” and “legal” custody under Indiana law. Physical custody is given to the parent who is identified as the primary care-giver and when this is ... Read More
23
May2019
The family dynamic is something that is always changing, and there is certainly no “standard” or “normal” family. After a divorce or a final determination in a paternity case, often one parent of a child has what is called primary physical custody, and the other parent (the “non-custodial parent”) has what is called parenting time. The terms of the non-custodial parent’s parenting time may take many different shapes, but in general, if the parents cannot agree, courts often look to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines to make a determination on parenting time. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines prescribe several different ... Read More