In the aftermath of a divorce or other breakup, dealing with your ex can feel – well, surreal. You may be tempted to ignore him/her. Or tell them off – let them know how awful they really are. But that won’t help you to raise happy, healthy children. These tips were written to de-escalate tensions…
These days, you can Google – well – anything. So, why can’t you handle your own divorce? Or – to put it bluntly– why should you spend money on one? Well, an Attorney: Knows the Law. The law can be a funny thing. You can read the words of a statute and think you know…
Meeting with a divorce attorney can be overwhelming and intimidating. Here are a few things to make the most of your initial consultation, so you can get the information you need to make the best decision for you and your children. Bring written questions. Get ready for the consultation by writing down questions you want…
This spring, the Indiana Supreme Court proposed rule changes that would require attorneys to put cell phone numbers in the public record. Attorneys across the state reacted passionately to the privacy and safety issues that would generate. More than 700 lawyers (including Bays Family Law) submitted written comments asking the Court to kill the proposal. …
How do you identify assets in the marital estate if the other party always handled the finances? The most recent income tax return (Form 1040 or 1040 EZ are common) is a good starting point. The tax return will describe each source of income, whether it be interest, dividends, rental income or, gain or loss…
Indiana took a huge leap to encourage independence for disabled adults when InvestABLE Indiana was opened to the public on July 28, 2017. This state program makes it possible to set aside funds for disabled Hoosiers without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits. In the past, disabled individuals had limited means to accumulate resources/funds to…
Indiana amended its domestic violence laws this year to include pets in protective orders. Animal cruelty has been against the law for quite some time, but those laws didn’t always protect domestic violence victims and their beloved family pets. Advocates for domestic violence victims report that abusers often hurt or threaten to hurt the family…
Collaborative Divorce is a good option for couples where both clients are committed to cooperative problem solving. It uses a team approach from the outset and is focused on planning for life after marriage. A Collaborative Divorce begins with each spouse hiring an attorney who is a trained Collaborative Professional. Both parties and their…
In Indiana, the court has to determine legal custody, physical custody, and the parenting time schedule. Legal Custody Legal custody governs decision-making power. Most parents who are not together have joint legal custody. That requires the parents to communicate and reach agreement on major issues affecting the child’s health, education, and religions. Examples of major issues:…
