Child Custody Lawyers in Indianapolis

When parents can’t agree, an Indiana court will make custody decisions based on one primary standard: the best interests of the child.

The court considers a variety factors to determine what is in a child’s best interest, including:

• The age and sex of the child.
• The wishes of the parents.
• The child’s wishes (with more consideration given to children 14 and older).
• The child’s adjustment to their home, school, and community.
• The mental and physical health of everyone involved.
• Evidence of a pattern of domestic or family violence by either parent.

While judges make the final call in a trial, most parents successfully reach an agreement outside of court. A mutually agreed-upon parenting plan can be customized to your family’s reality, accommodating work schedules, living arrangements, and other needs. A well-drafted plan provides stability for children while offering the flexibility needed as they grow and their activities change.

In Indiana, child support is a continuing obligation, typically until a child turns 19. Given this long-term commitment, getting the calculation right from the start is crucial. While child support orders can be modified, it requires proving a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, which isn’t always easy.

Indiana uses specific Child Support Guidelines and a formula to determine the amount. The accuracy of this calculation depends entirely on the accuracy of the numbers used. Key inputs include:

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

Determining income can be complex, especially if one parent is self-employed or has variable income. Our attorneys are skilled at uncovering the correct financial data to ensure the child support order is fair, whether you are the paying or receiving parent.

We understand that your family’s future and your most important relationships are on the line. Let us help you protect them. To discuss your legal options with a family law attorney, please contact us.

We accept credit cards and offer flexible remote appointments by phone or video. To serve our diverse community, many of our attorneys are bilingual, and we provide translation services for numerous languages. Se habla español.