Divorce can be overwhelming, and one of the most critical yet often misunderstood stages is discovery. Whether you’re addressing property division, child custody, or support issues, discovery plays a key role in ensuring a fair and transparent outcome. Understanding this process—and preparing effectively—can make a significant difference in your case. What Is Discovery…
Going through a divorce can be an emotional and complex process, and the first preliminary hearing in Indiana is often one of the earliest steps in that journey. Understanding what happens at this hearing can ease anxiety and help you prepare effectively. What Is a Preliminary Hearing in an Indiana…
Divorce is often an emotionally and financially draining process, but mediation offers a constructive alternative to traditional litigation, especially in Indiana where family law encourages cooperative solutions. Mediation involves a neutral third party who facilitates discussions between divorcing spouses to reach mutually agreeable solutions on issues like custody, property division, and support.…
Guardianship cases are never just about legal paperwork. They’re about people — parents who raised us, loved ones who’ve fallen ill, or children who need protection when life takes an unexpected turn. At Harshman Ponist Smith & Rayl, LLC, we never lose sight of that human story. More Than Legal…
What is Termination of Parental Rights? Termination of parental rights (TPR) permanently ends the legal relationship between a parent and child, eliminating rights to custody, visitation, decision-making, and sometimes child support obligations. TPR can be voluntary (parent-initiated) or involuntary (court-ordered) and is a serious step taken only when necessary to protect…
Divorce is never easy, but understanding the type of divorce you’re facing can help you prepare emotionally, legally, and financially. One of the first distinctions in the process is whether your case is contested or uncontested. Knowing the difference can guide your next steps. Uncontested Divorce An uncontested divorce occurs when both…
Divorce and separation are challenging, especially for children. A common question during custody disputes is whether a child can choose which parent to live with. In Indiana, the answer depends on the child’s age, maturity, and state law. Here’s a concise overview of how Indiana courts handle this, always prioritizing…
Introduction Divorce often involves dividing property and assets, that range from houses, retirement accounts, vehicles, business ownership and all kinds of personal belongings. For the tech-forward, another growing segment of property is being found in these cases: cryptocurrency stored in “cold storage.” If you or your spouse hold digital assets…
Disclosure vs. Control When going through a divorce in Indiana, both spouses are generally required to provide a full and honest accounting of their assets. This includes not only obvious items like homes, vehicles, and retirement accounts but also purely digital assets such as cryptocurrency. Many people who hold crypto…
Introduction Serving as a guardian means stepping into a role of trust and responsibility. You’re tasked with making critical and important decisions for someone who cannot fully manage on their own. At the same time, the law, a court (and basic human dignity) require guardians to preserve as much independence…