divorce lawyers Indianapolis

Lainie A. Hurwitz Has Earned The Designation Of Certified Family Law Specialist

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Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. is proud to announce that Lainie A. Hurwitz has earned the designation of Certified Family Law Specialist as certified by the Family Law Certification Board. 

Lainie has attained extraordinary competence and efficiency in the field of Family Law in the 23 years that she has been an attorney.  This important distinction allows Lainie to declare that she is a specialist in the field of Family Law and one of a small number of Indiana attorneys who have attained this status.

Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. represents clients in the Indianapolis and Central Indiana area. Give our experienced law firm a call at (317) 580-9295 with any family law questions. Your future is our concern! 

Divorce Filings Peak In March And August

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According to experts and a University of Washington study, divorce filings peaked consistently in March and August over a 14-year period.

The study, conducted by University of Washington associate sociology professor Julie Brines and doctoral candidate Brian Serafini, examined divorce rates in Washington over a 14-year period between the years of 2001 and 2015.

The study showed a rapid decline in divorce rates after the month of August, gradually decreasing until December before climbing up again in January and reaching a peak in March, where once more divorce rates dropped (past research suggests that January through March are months which have the highest incidences of divorce). The results of the study make it clear that holiday divorces are much more common than we may have thought, and that August divorce season can have a profound effect on unhappy couples with children.

This study was for the state of Washington but is consistent with divorce filing increases across the country during the end of Summer months. Many couples see August as a good time to separate or divorce. The Summer is ending with family vacations and couples often try to postpone their divorce until the family vacation is over.

Some couples look at a vacation as a time to try and reconcile their marriage. They feel that a vacation might give each other one last chance to see if they can make their marriage work. It seems that in most situations they are well past the point of making the marriage work and the vacation is their breaking point.

If you are considering divorce we are here to help you through this difficult process. Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. has exclusively represented family law clients throughout Indiana for more than 24 years.

Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. represents clients in the Indianapolis and Central Indiana area. Give our experienced law firm a call at (317) 580-9295 with any family law questions. Your future is our concern.

Your Future Is Our Concern

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Indianapolis Family Law Firm

Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. is a law firm dedicated to helping our clients overcome family law problems and move forward in life in a positive manner.

Our attorneys possess sterling academic credentials, strong community ties, and a deep commitment to your success. They speak plain English and demonstrate the strictest personal and professional ethics. Above all, they are passionately committed to the needs of our clients.

FAQ’s – Contacting A Family Law Attorney

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Thinking about calling a family-law attorney? Start here.

If you’re thinking about contacting an attorney to discuss your legal matter, you probably have questions. Who do I call? When should I call? What should I ask? To give you a head start, the attorneys at Ruppert & Schaefer have compiled some of the questions we often hear from first-time callers.

Silver Question Mark Representing Faqs Or Support

Who should I call? What do you need help with? A divorce? An adoption? A criminal matter? A tax issue? The answer to this question will help you determine who you should call. If you have a family law matter, you should try to make contact with an attorney who specializes in family law, like the attorneys at Ruppert & Schaefer. When you make your first telephone contact with an attorney’s office, be prepared to give a brief explanation of your legal matter so that whomever you’re talking to can make sure the attorneys at that office can assist you with that matter. If they cannot, they may be able to make a referral to another attorney.

How do I know if the attorney I’m calling is the right fit to help me? This goes hand-in-hand with the first question of “who should I call?” Now is the time to do a little research. Use the internet to research attorneys in your area. Many attorneys have websites where they share information about their background, experience, professional accomplishments, and preferred practice area. They may also share limited personal information about themselves which can help you determine whether they might be a good fit for you.

          When should I call?  During business hours. This increases the likelihood of someone answering your call. Also, when thinking about timing, if you receive legal paperwork or court filings in the mail, call an attorney ASAP. Don’t wait until just before a court hearing!

          Will I be able to talk to an attorney that day? The answer to this question varies from law office to law office. At Ruppert & Schaefer, an attorney is almost always available during business hours to take your phone call, even if you do not have an appointment. If no attorney is available, an attorney will return your call as soon as possible.

          What should I ask during the first phone call? Be prepared to ask basic questions that will help you decide if you want to hire the attorney you call, such as:

  • Does the attorney regularly handle cases like mine?
  • What is the attorney’s hourly rate and retainer fee?
  • When is the soonest I can meet with an attorney? Do I need to schedule a consultation?
  • If you have a court date, is the attorney available on that date?
  • Does the attorney work with any other attorneys in their office?
  • Does the attorney have a paralegal who assists them with their cases?
  • How long has the attorney been practicing law?
  • What is the attorney’s style? Are they in court often? Does he/she settle many cases? (One we hear often, but which doesn’t paint a full picture: “Is Attorney X aggressive? I need an aggressive attorney!”)
  • How would the attorney communicate with me? Does the attorney prefer meetings? E-mails? Phone calls?

There are plenty of other questions you may want to ask, and it may be helpful to make some notes prior to, and during, your call. When you’re ready to reach out, the attorneys at Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C., are available to speak to you about your family-law matter. Call us at (317) 580-9295; your future is our concern.