Joe Walterman provides experienced representation for those facing tough family challenges. We know that legal separations, dissolutions of marriage (divorce), guardianships, modifications of support and of custody, and parenting time issues require personal service and practical advice to meet the needs of the individuals involved. Our firm has helped many families through these challenges and will give you the personal attention you deserve.
Typical questions our family law clients have:
Will I lose all my property to my spouse if I file for divorce?
Generally, the law presumes that spouses will divide both assets and debts equally. There are exceptions when one spouse acquired an asset before the marriage, a spouse has given up further education and employment possibilities to support the other spouse’s career during the marriage, or when one spouse is caring for a child with special physical or educational needs. There are other exceptions and every situation is unique. We will help you understand your rights when filing for divorce.
If I file for divorce, will my spouse be able to keep me from seeing my children?
The law does not allow one parent to keep children away from the other parent. Only a Court can order reduced parenting time and typically this is only done in extreme circumstances when a parent has alcohol or drug dependency issues, serious criminal issues, or there are other serious problems. Most of the time, a parent will have time with their children according to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. Those can be found on the Indiana Supreme Court’s website.
My child is 18 years old; can I stop paying child support?
Child support continues in Indiana until the child is 19 years old, unless a child is previously emancipated by a Court, or the child is 18 years old, is not in high school or college or enrolled to attend high school or college, and is currently supporting or is capable of supporting himself. Courts will continue a parent’s duty to pay child support if a child is under some disability or incapacity to support himself. To terminate child support, a court order is required.
My income has dropped a lot from when I first started paying child support; can I start paying less child support?
Only a Court can modify the amount a parent pays in child support. If your income has changed dramatically and appears to be a long term change, then contact us for advice on how child support can be modified.
My parents are getting older and I do not think they can make good financial or health care decisions for themselves; can I take care of their finances and make health care choices for them?
Helping ageing parents can be difficult. It requires respect for the persons involved and a realization that help must be given to those that for so long helped us. There are several ways a child can look after her parents. Powers of attorney allow a person to make financial and health care decisions for another person. In more difficult circumstances, a guardianship can be requested from a Court to appoint a responsible person to manage the affairs of another person. Our firm will help you decide what steps need to be taken to help your ageing parents and other family members who cannot take care of themselves. Our firm also offers estate planning services.
Typical questions our family law clients have:
Will I lose all my property to my spouse if I file for divorce?
Generally, the law presumes that spouses will divide both assets and debts equally. There are exceptions when one spouse acquired an asset before the marriage, a spouse has given up further education and employment possibilities to support the other spouse’s career during the marriage, or when one spouse is caring for a child with special physical or educational needs. There are other exceptions and every situation is unique. We will help you understand your rights when filing for divorce.
If I file for divorce, will my spouse be able to keep me from seeing my children?
The law does not allow one parent to keep children away from the other parent. Only a Court can order reduced parenting time and typically this is only done in extreme circumstances when a parent has alcohol or drug dependency issues, serious criminal issues, or there are other serious problems. Most of the time, a parent will have time with their children according to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. Those can be found on the Indiana Supreme Court’s website.
My child is 18 years old; can I stop paying child support?
Child support continues in Indiana until the child is 19 years old, unless a child is previously emancipated by a Court, or the child is 18 years old, is not in high school or college or enrolled to attend high school or college, and is currently supporting or is capable of supporting himself. Courts will continue a parent’s duty to pay child support if a child is under some disability or incapacity to support himself. To terminate child support, a court order is required.
My income has dropped a lot from when I first started paying child support; can I start paying less child support?
Only a Court can modify the amount a parent pays in child support. If your income has changed dramatically and appears to be a long term change, then contact us for advice on how child support can be modified.
My parents are getting older and I do not think they can make good financial or health care decisions for themselves; can I take care of their finances and make health care choices for them?
Helping ageing parents can be difficult. It requires respect for the persons involved and a realization that help must be given to those that for so long helped us. There are several ways a child can look after her parents. Powers of attorney allow a person to make financial and health care decisions for another person. In more difficult circumstances, a guardianship can be requested from a Court to appoint a responsible person to manage the affairs of another person. Our firm will help you decide what steps need to be taken to help your ageing parents and other family members who cannot take care of themselves. Our firm also offers estate planning services.