Child Custody Lawyers in Indianapolis

Every family is different, and custody questions show up in many ways. We work with parents in situations such as:

• Parents going through divorce. You may worry about where your children will live, how often you will see them, and who gets to make major decisions about their lives.
• Unmarried parents. You may need a formal court order that addresses paternity, parenting time, decision-making, and child support.
• Parents dealing with a plan that no longer works. The other parent may not be following the current parenting plan, or your schedule may no longer fit because something in your life has changed.
• Parents facing relocation or distance. One parent may want to move, or you may already live far apart, and the current schedule no longer works for school, travel, or exchanges.
• Parents who cannot reach an agreement. You may disagree about parenting time, school choice, healthcare, safety concerns, or what arrangement truly serves your child.

Wherever you find yourself on this list, we can help you understand your rights and your next steps.

While every case is unique, most Indiana custody matters share a common framework.

The Best Interests of the Child Standard

When parents cannot agree, an Indiana court decides custody based on one guiding principle: the best interests of the child. Judges look at the whole picture of a child’s life rather than the preference of either parent alone.

Courts may weigh factors such as:

• The age and needs of the child.
• The wishes of the parents.
• The child’s wishes, with added weight given to children 14 and older.
• The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community.
• The mental and physical health of everyone involved.
• Any history of domestic or family violence.

Legal Custody and Physical Custody

Indiana law separates custody into two parts:

• Legal custody covers the right to make major decisions about a child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religion. Parents may share joint legal custody, or one parent may hold sole legal custody.
• Physical custody covers where the child lives day to day. One parent may serve as the primary physical custodian while the other has scheduled parenting time, or the parents may share a more balanced schedule.

Many parents reach an agreement outside of court. A well-drafted parenting plan can fit your family’s real life, accounting for work schedules, living arrangements, and your children’s activities, while still giving everyone clear expectations.

How Child Support Fits In

Child support often goes hand in hand with custody. In Indiana, support is generally a continuing obligation until a child turns 19. The state uses specific Child Support Guidelines and a formula based on key numbers, including:

• Each parent’s gross weekly income.
• The cost of work-related childcare.
• The cost of health insurance premiums for the children.
• The number of overnights each parent has per year.

Because accurate figures matter so much, we work to confirm the correct financial details, whether you are the paying or the receiving parent.

Families across Indiana turn to Villarrubia & Rosenberger, P.C. for clear reasons:

• Collaborative and mediation training. With an attorney trained in collaborative law and a registered mediator on our team, we can often help you resolve custody disputes without a drawn-out court fight.
• A client-centered approach. We tailor our guidance to your goals, your concerns, and your children. You are a person to us, not a file number.
• Plain-language guidance. We explain each step so you always know what is happening and why.
• Bilingual services. Many of our attorneys are bilingual, and we provide translation services so language is never a barrier.

You do not have to face custody questions alone or guess your way through the process. The attorneys at Villarrubia & Rosenberger, P.C. are ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you build an arrangement that supports your children’s well-being. Get in touch with us to schedule a consultation.