Child Custody Attorney Fort Wayne 

Parents have rights and duties with respect to minor children, regardless of whether they remain in an intact relationship with each other. As a result, you can expect child custody questions to arise when going through divorce, and these issues could also affect paternity proceedings. Contrary to the misconception that custody merely involves where the child resides, the Indiana child custody statute covers the authority to make important decisions about how to raise the child. There are laws that dictate how courts make decisions in this area, so there are important implications for your rights as a parent. 

At the Bellinger Law Office, we understand that child custody can be overwhelming for parents who must face both legal complexities and intense emotions. You can trust our team to guide you through the process and explore options for resolving disputes. Please contact us to set up a consultation with a child custody attorney in Fort Wayne today. We can provide personalized details, but some basics about the laws are useful.

How Indiana Child Custody Laws Work

As mentioned, child custody involves allocation of parental responsibilities and decision-making regarding the child. The term physical custody is often used to describe where the child lives, but parents who share joint child custody will have equal say regardless of the child’s residence. 

There are multiple strategies for dealing with child custody in divorce or paternity cases, but there is a single overriding principle: The child’s best interests standard under Indiana law. The statute includes numerous factors that a court must review, giving no presumption in favor of either parent. They include: 

• The mental and physical health of all individuals;
• The child’s age and sex;
• The child’s relationship with each parent, siblings, and other influential individuals that affect the child’s interests;
• How well the child can adjust to home, school, and the community; and,
• The wishes of the child, when appropriate for age and maturity level.

Options for Resolving Child Custody Matters

Indiana law encourages parents to come to an agreement on child custody, and a judge will likely approve it as long as it meets the child’s best interests criteria. If there are disputes, your case will likely be ordered to mediation. This is an informal process where the parties are guided in productive conversations by a trained professional. 

Our Fort Wayne child custody lawyers have extensive negotiations skills, so we can assist with attempts to work out an agreement. The Bellinger Law Office also has considerable experience with mediation proceedings, and we are ready to protect your rights. If disputes remain, we will tackle all tasks related to contested hearings in court, including presenting evidence and arguments in support of your position. 

Discuss Details with a Child Custody Attorney in Fort Wayne 

It is reassuring to know that there are different strategies for resolving child support disputes, but skilled legal representation is skill essential when working through these options. To learn more about our services, please contact the Bellinger Law Office. We are happy to schedule a consultation with an Indiana child custody lawyer.