Contact Us: (812) 513-1098 For Family Law Matters: (812) 725-8226

Blog

Handling Long-Distance Visitation

Legally speaking, childhood lasts only 18 years. The rest of life is considered adulthood. With that much disparity, it's no wonder we lose touch with what it's like to be a kid. Still, adult situations affect children deeply, and divorce is no exception. That's not to say divorce isn't often the path that's best for everyone in a family, but when you're caught up in the hullabaloo of the adult aspects, keep in mind the kid POV. No one knows exactly what to say or do to help children thrive in any kind of split custody schedule. But it's vital to try to tap into your own life markers and remember how adult interactions – particularly your relationships with your parents -- made you feel w ...

Ignition Interlock Devices

In many states, including both Indiana and Kentucky, being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or operating while intoxicated (OWI) can result in the suspension or revocation of your driver's license, in addition to potential jail time and fines. However, in some situations, it may be possible to keep one's license after a conviction by having an ignition interlock device installed on one's vehicle. Both Indiana and Kentucky are states that sometimes utilize these devices as an alternative to suspending or revoking a person's license. What Are Ignition Interlock Devices? An ignition interlock device (also commonly referred to as a breath alcohol ignition interlock device) is essen ...

Shedding Light On Domestic Violence During October

Domestic violence is a situation that changes lives. It is a crime for the person committing the abuse and it can pose a mental health and physical risk for the victim. Domestic abuse occurs more often than most people would like to admit. It could involve a coworker, an acquaintance or a neighbor and it could be such a secret, that many people might never know it is happening. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov, domestic violence is reported by one of every seven men and one of every four women. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States. It is set aside to bring attention to the emotional and physical impact that v ...

Legality of Road Blocks in Indiana and Kentucky

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the annual cost of alcohol-related crashes to society is over $132 billion. In an effort to deter people from driving under the influence (DUI), many law enforcement agencies use sobriety checkpoints. While reducing alcohol-related wrecks is a worthy goal, that goal cannot infringe on the rights of drivers. There are specific ways that road blocks must be conducted in order to be legal. Generally, they must be publicized in advance, officer discretion must be eliminated as much as possible, and chemical tests cannot be conducted unless the officer has probable cause to believe a driver has been drinking. Back in 1990, the Supreme Court rule ...

Current Gun Laws in Indiana and Kentucky

The meaning of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is an often litigated topic with a reputation for provoking heated discussions. In a 2008 decision, the Supreme Court interpreted it as granting the right of gun ownership to individuals for purposes that include self-defense. The parameters for legally obtaining those guns vary from state to state, with both Kentucky and Indiana laws being more lenient than those of many other states. In fact, an examination by the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence graded the gun laws of all 50 states based on 30 policies related to guns and ammunition, including procedures for lost or stolen firearms, background checks, and preventing ...

Did You Get a Traffic Ticket in Indiana?

Sometimes you see the police car lying in wait. Other times, the flashing lights behind you are a complete surprise. All drivers have had the experience of hoping that the cruiser will either stay where it is or pass on by in pursuit of someone else. Many of them also know what it feels like when that hope turns to dread as it becomes clear the officer wants them to pull over. When that happens, you may know exactly what traffic law you were breaking or you may have no idea whatsoever, but once you get a ticket, it’s time to focus on the consequences. Generally, Indiana traffic tickets are dealt with on a county level. In the small print, you’ll find that your choices are to go to court ...

How Businesses Are Treated in Divorce Actions

Discussions about divorce often center around two topics: children and property. For many small business owners, the line between those two subjects is blurry and the worries are similar. After all, building a successful business takes a lot of heart, sweat, time, dedication, and patience. When the uncertainty of divorce looms large, it’s common to wonder what will happen to your business. Most notably, how much will you have to share? Is my soon to be ex-spouse entitled to half? And, as with many legal questions, the answer is: it depends. First, it matters exactly when the business began. If it was started before the marriage, then its value at the time of marriage is separate property ...

What Happens When You Decide to Sue

Making the decision to sue someone is not something that should be undertaken lightly. We’ve all heard jokes about how litigious American society is, and while it’s true that a lot of lawsuits get filed, many are quite legitimate. Innocent people who get hurt because someone else behaved recklessly deserve to be compensated for their suffering. Parties who uphold their end of a contract should be able to enforce its terms. Couples who conclude that they are better off apart must have a way to dissolve their marriage. Although generalities can be discussed, it is important to note that every lawsuit is based on a unique set of circumstances, and the steps that lead to resolve one situat ...

Disappointment with DIY Trust & Estate Documents

These days, we do everything online. You can learn a language, find a love match, order groceries, even predict your own death if you’re into that sort of thing – the list is endless. The accessibility and utility of the Internet makes it easy to feel empowered, but some people who have turned to the Web for answers about trusts and estates have not had a positive experience. In fact, some who chose to “cheaply” draft trust or estate documents themselves ended up with unintended consequences that cost their estates more money than if they had sought professional legal advice in the beginning. There’s no doubt that contemplating our own mortality is a depressing prospect. No one re ...

Medicare vs. Medicaid

The federal government is a massive entity, the true size of which is up for debate. Depending on the source, the number of federal agencies has been reported to be as few as 60 and as many as 430. One agency whose existence is not in question is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which, among other responsibilities, oversees Medicare and works with state governments to manage Medicaid. These two similar-sounding public insurance programs are very different, but they have the same goal of providing medical and health-related services to certain groups of disadvantaged people. Medicaid delivers healthcare coverage to low-income families and individuals, including seniors, ...

Categories

What Is Considered an Asset in Divorce?

After a marriage ends, countless questions typically arise. One of the first questions many couples ask our attorneys is, “What exactly are considered assets in a divorce?” In Indiana, any property is considered an asset during a divorce settlement, regardless of how it was obtained. Because Indiana is not classified as a community property state, none of your assets will be considered communi[...]