Fort Wayne Family Law Attorneys

If divorce is on the horizon for your family, you will need to get all of your ducks in a row. Essentially, your marital estate must be divided into two estates, which can be quite complex. Individual assets will need to be appraised. Questions concerning whether or not individual assets belong to the marital estate or the estate of one or the other spouse also need to be handled. Then, there comes the really complex stuff like child support, visitation, and custody. The Bellinger Law Office helps Fort Wayne residents disentangle their marital estate and begin the next chapter of their lives.

Issues Related to Divorce

Divorce is essentially a process by which one estate is divided into two. But other issues must be hammered out as well. Below, you will see some of the most common issues a Fort Wayne family lawyer must resolve in their practice.

• Child custody – In Indiana, courts will render a decision on child custody that considers only the best interests of the child. While what the child wants can be factored into that equation, what the child wants is not universally in their best interests. The same can be said for the parents. They may want something that is not in the child’s best interests. A divorce attorney will help you convince the court that your interests and the child’s interests are aligned.

• Child support – All parents who do not generally live with the children the majority of the time are required by law to help subsidize their care. The terms of your child support will depend on your income, your spouse’s income, the number of children you have, and the standard of living they are used to.

• Visitation – A completely separate issue from custody and support is visitation. Even parents who do not have custody of their children can arrange for visiting.

• Spousal support/alimony – Alimony can either be negotiated as an ongoing payment to the former spouse or as a lump sum payment that is negotiated during property division of the estate. 

Divorce Decree Modifications

As your circumstances change, you may have cause to change the original agreement that dissolved your marriage. For example, if your finances change, you may request a reduction in child support or alimony payments. If you are required to take a new job somewhere else, you may want to change the visitation schedule. Unless this is handled by an attorney, it will not have the force of law behind it. Verbal agreements can be changed on a whim.

Talk to a Fort Wayne Divorce Attorney Today

If you are considering divorce in Fort Wayne, call The Bellinger Law Office today. We can discuss your options moving forward and what moves you can make to improve your chances in court.