What Is Discovery in a Divorce? 

Discovery is the formal pre-trial phase where both spouses exchange relevant information, documents, and evidence. Its purpose is to promote transparency, prevent surprises in court, and help both sides reach informed settlements or prepare for trial. 

The post Understanding Discovery in Divorce Proceedings: A Guide to Preparation  appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

What Is a Preliminary Hearing in an Indiana Divorce? 

In Indiana, a preliminary hearing—also known as a provisional hearing—is typically one of the first court appearances in a divorce case. Its purpose is to establish temporary arrangements that remain in place while the divorce is pending. These temporary orders may address: 

The post What to Expect at Your First Preliminary Hearing for a Divorce in Indiana  appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

1. Cost-Effective Resolution

Divorce litigation can be expensive, with attorney fees, court costs, and lengthy proceedings adding up quickly. Mediation, by contrast, is typically far less costly. Sessions are scheduled at the couple’s convenience, and resolutions can often be reached in a few meetings, saving thousands compared to drawn-out court battles. In Indiana, where courts may require mediation in contested custody cases, this cost efficiency helps couples preserve financial resources for their post-divorce lives, such as supporting children or rebuilding independently. 

The post The Benefits of Mediation in a Divorce  appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

More Than Legal Representation

When someone contacts us about a potential guardianship, they’re often anxious and uncertain. They’re worried about doing the right thing, about family conflict, about time running out. From the first conversation, our role is to bring calm and clarity.

The post Guardianship Done the Right Way: Compassion, Clarity, and Care appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

When Does TPR Happen? TPR occurs when a court determines it’s in the child’s best interest as it prioritizes their safety and stability. It’s typically a last resort after attempts at reunification—through counseling, parenting classes, or rehabilitation—have failed. 

Grounds for Involuntary TPR: Courts may terminate rights without parental consent due to: 

The post Termination of Parental Rights: When and Why It Happens  appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

Uncontested Divorce 

An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all major issues, including: 

The post Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce: What’s the Difference?  appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

The Court’s Focus: Best Interests of the Child 

Indiana courts (under Ind. Code § 31-17-2-8) decide custody based on what serves the child’s well-being, considering factors like: 

The post Can Children Choose Which Parent to Live With in Indiana?  appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

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 offline on a hardware wallet or similar device, it can raise unexpected questions and issues during the divorce process.

What Is Cold-Storage Cryptocurrency?

The post The Implications of Having Cold-Storage Cryptocurrency During a Divorce in Indiana appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

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 in cold storage (on a hardware wallet, paper wallet, or another offline method) worry that disclosure means they must hand over the device, private keys, or full control of their funds. That’s not the case.

The post How to Disclose Cryptocurrency Assets in Divorce Without Giving Away Access appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.

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 for the ward as possible. Striking that balance isn’t always easy, but it’s essential to conducting an effective guardianship.

The Legal Standard: “Least Restrictive Alternative”

The post Supporting Independence While Protecting a Ward: Finding the Balance appeared first on Indiana Law Blog.