Depending on your situation, there are few events in your life that can be as tumultuous and emotionally draining as a divorce. After all, nobody expects to be involved in a divorce when they get married. Marriage is supposed to be forever, but that sometimes doesn’t happen. The many life changes you endure with a divorce can alter your perspective on life. You need to protect yourself and make the right decisions with the help of an Indianapolis, IN, divorce lawyer.

Getting Divorced in Indiana

It’s never enjoyable to find that your marriage is over. It’s going to hurt. You’re going to second-guess yourself a lot. You’re going to wonder where it all went wrong. It’s understandable to feel this way, but it’s vital that you start to accept your situation. Only then can you make the effort to shield yourself. If you don’t, there’s a strong chance you could lose a lot in your divorce. Protect your assets, utilize social media, and speak with a divorce lawyer about your next steps.

You should always keep in mind that your divorce is not going to just impact you. It’s going to affect your entire life. It will impact your kids, friends, work colleagues, and even finances. Divorce is so much more than just signing away your marriage. You have to completely disentangle your life from your spouse’s, work out child custody arrangements, open new bank accounts, figure out spousal and child support, and more. A good lawyer can help you manage all these issues.

While there are various grounds for divorce in Indiana, the state is a no-fault state for divorce. This means you never have to prove any sort of wrongdoing from either party to justify a divorce. If you feel like the marriage has run its course and you want out, that’s your decision to make. Usually, the main ground for divorce in Indiana is irreconcilable differences, which is essentially an irreparable breakdown of the marriage itself.

Important Elements in Your Divorce

With any luck, you can work through an uncontested divorce with your spouse and figure everything out together. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Many divorces are contested because one spouse doesn’t want one or wants to see the other spouse suffer for trying to leave. If you can’t reach any agreements, the final say on the aspects of your divorce will be left to the Indiana court system. Here are some of the important elements in your divorce:

  • Division of Assets: You and your partner can submit any agreement you’ve worked out regarding asset division to the judge. The judge will consider it. If there is no agreement to be reached, then your assets will be divided according to equitable distribution laws. The division may not be equal, but it is intended to be as fair as possible.
  • Child Custody: If there are children involved in the divorce, things can get particularly complicated. It is important that you and your former spouse try to work out a parenting plan between yourselves. You may have to co-parent with this person for quite some time, so being civil couldn’t hurt. The judge will ultimately do what’s right for the child, and that includes considering any history of abuse or neglect, among other factors.
  • Alimony: Depending on each spouse’s financial situation, the higher-earning spouse may have to pay the lower-earning spouse a certain amount in spousal maintenance, or alimony, every month. Spousal maintenance is not an automatic award in every Indiana divorce. Sometimes, both spouses are doing very well for themselves, and it’s not needed. If granted, alimony may last as long as the court deems it totally necessary.

FAQs

Q: Can Anyone File for Divorce in Indiana?

A: Yes, anyone can file for a divorce in Indiana as long as they meet the necessary residency requirements. To do so, at least one spouse needs to have lived in Indiana for six months prior to filing. They must also live in the county they’re filing in for at least three months. From there, they need to make sure their paperwork is filed correctly. An experienced lawyer can assist with that process.

Q: How Is Child Custody Decided in Indiana?

A: In Indiana, like in most states, child custody is ultimately decided by figuring out what’s right for the child in question. The court prioritizes the child’s welfare above everything else, including the desires of the parents. If you are unable to provide your child with a stable living environment and meet their basic needs, the court may decide you are not the right fit to be a custodial parent.

Q: Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Divorce in Indiana?

A: Yes, you should always seriously consider hiring a lawyer for your divorce case in Indiana. It is recommended that you hire an experienced divorce attorney any time you are dealing with legal strife of any kind. When facing a divorce, the last thing you want is to be unprepared in any way. You could end up losing more than you expected. Your spouse is most likely going to have a lawyer of their own. You should consider coming prepared yourself.

Q: How Does Asset Division Work in Indiana?

A: In Indiana, asset division is determined through equitable distribution. The court looks through the listed marital assets and splits them up fairly, though that may not always be equal. If you and your spouse can work out an agreement about how to divide the assets, the court will certainly consider your proposal. Ultimately, the assets will be divided as fairly as possible.

Reach Out to an Indianapolis Divorce Lawyer

Having to deal with the divorce process on your own can be remarkably stressful. You should consider hiring an experienced legal professional who knows what to expect and can provide you with solid, consistent advice throughout your case. The legal team at Stange Law Firm can help you build up your case, fight for what’s yours, and challenge unreasonable requests. Contact us to speak to someone about your case.