Family Law
We offer numerous services under the "Family Law" category. These include, but are not limited to, divorces, establishment of paternity, child custody and parenting time, child support, adoptions, and guardianships.
One of the aspects of our practice that is important to consider is that our goal is to help our clients reach the best solution for their situation. This also includes attempting to reach the best solution that is in the best interests of their minor child. We strongly believe that attempting to resolve conflicts amicably. This can be done through negotiations between parties and attorneys, or through mediation. Most local rules, including St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties, require an attempt to resolve issues prior to holding a contested hearing. We strongly support these rules and prefer to work with our clients through means other than having a judge make a decision in the case. When parents come together and try to resolve what is best for their families, they can create plans that work for them. When the judge hands down a decision after a contested hearing, we never know what he or she will rule and the decision can be something that neither party wants and, while the court believes based upon the little information it has in the grand scheme of things that its decision is in the best interests of the child(ren) it may not be.
So here at Hildebrand Law Office we will first help you resolve your conflicts amicably. However, if we must go to court, we will fight hard to protect your rights in your case. We will research, prepare, and litigate your case for you, seeking the best outcome possible.
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Below are more detailed descriptions on the services our office offers in these fields.
Types of Services:
Divorce
Divorces are the most common type of Family Law matters we deal with. These vary in length, from as short as a couple months to a year or more. We can assist you if you are looking to file a divorce or you have already been served by your spouse. We can can assist you if you are in the middle of the process and realize that legal assistance would be in your best interests. We always recommend that if your spouse has an attorney, it is in your best interests to retain counsel as well to protect your rights.
We also offer flat fee services for Uncontested (undisputed) Divorces. These generally refer to cases where you and your spouse agree on the terms of the divorce and want to make sure the paperwork is completed properly to avoid issues in the future. We do recommend at the very least having an experienced attorney assist with drafting your marital settlement agreement. Way to often these are not properly drafted by pro se litigants and it leads to unforeseen conflict when the agreement left open terms that should have been resolved, agreement was vague and left open different interpretations, and other unfortunate and unnecessary conflict.
Post-Divorce Litigation
Post-divorce litigation is, unfortunately, much more common that we would hope for. Most of the time, these types of cases involve modifications of custody, parenting time, and child support. Also, these cases involve enforcing settlement agreements that may be vague or one party may simply refuse to abide the agreement. The enforcement of child support orders is also extremely common. Sometimes these cases last longer than the initial divorce case lasted. Oftentimes there is ongoing conflict that never ceased after the Decree was issued. These cases may be extremely frustrating and ongoing.
We do note though, our goal is first, to avoid post-divorce litigation by making sure the settlement agreement is fair, within the parties abilities to meet the expectations, and written to avoid vagueness.
However, when post-divorce litigation is necessary, we work you to make sure your rights under the divorce agreement are upheld throughout this process. We work hard for our clients to enforce their rights and to make the necessary changes to the prior order.
Paternity
Paternity cases are cases where the parents are not married to each other. Oftentimes when the parents relationship ends, there are issues similar to divorce cases, but without the divorce. The primary focus of these cases is to determine custody, parenting time, and child support.
Our office recommends that even if the parties remain in a relationship, they open a paternity case with the court and enter an agreement. This is necessary to establishing father's rights even if he listed on the birth certificate. Unfortunately, even when the parties signed the paternity affidavit, the Father cannot enforce any rights unless there is a court case that establishes his rights and responsibilities. When the parents are not married, Mother automatically has custody of the minor child. If the parties remain in a relationship, it can be as simple as opening the case, stating that the parties are co-habitating, that they have joint legal and joint physical custody of the child, and no child support is order based upon the circumstances. as well determining the obligations of each party. No other involvement of the court is necessary unless the parties separate.
Guardianship
Guardianships can be established for both minors and incapacitated adults. These cases can be relatively simple when establishing guardianship of a minor and there is consent from the parent(s) and also for an incapacitated adult that is completely incapable of self care, as noted by a physician, and again, all interested parties consent. However, these cases are much more complicated when attempting to obtain guardianship over a minor against the parents wishes or the alleged incapacitated adult disputes the claims of the petitioner that he or she is incapable of managing his or her own self-care and finances. When there is no dispute that a guardian is necessary but the potential guardians do not agree on who that should be is also a situation that may arise leading to a more complicated case.
Adoption
Adoption cases, like guardianships can be both simple or complex. The simplest cases are Adult Adoptions. In these cases, the adoptive parent(s) are adopting a person over the age of eighteen (18) and the only consents necessary are the petitioner, the person to be adopted, and any spouse of the two parties. .
More commonly, adoption cases involve adopting minors. These cases are more complex and even in a stepparent adoption, it is strongly recommended that an attorney manage the case for you. Indiana law has strict requirements that must be completed in order for the court to grant an adoption.
The adoption process is especially complex if the biological parent or parents contest the adoption. It is also important to remember that Adoption is permanent. Once a person has adopted a child, his or her obligations become the same as if the child was his biological child. In the event that the legal parents separate, their rights and responsibilities will remain the same as if the child was their own biological child. This includes issues of custody, parenting time, and child support. .