divorce

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.

Children Cope With Divorce Program

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Franciscan Health offers a program that focuses on children’s needs after a divorce. The Children Cope with Divorce program is only offered through Franciscan VNS in Indianapolis and the surrounding central Indiana communities, it’s a four-hour educational course for divorcing parents that focuses on the needs of children.

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To find a listing of upcoming class dates and times in your area, click here.

You can access the brochure here: CCWD Brochure_Eng

Legal Separation vs. Divorce: Which option is right for you?

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Clients contemplating divorce often have questions about legal separation.  Typically, they want to know how legal separation differs from divorce, and which option is best for them.  What should you know about the two?

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Legal separation is, like a divorce proceeding, a legal proceeding that formally separates you from your spouse. To grant a legal separation, an Indiana Court must find that conditions in the marriage are currently so intolerable that the couple cannot live together, but the marriage itself should nevertheless be maintained. A legal separation is not required before filing for divorce in Indiana.

During a legal separation, you may reach an agreement or obtain court orders that set forth what both spouses will do during the period of legal separation, addressing matters such as custody, parenting time, child support, and financial issues related to the marriage.  Any orders or agreements entered during a legal separation end when the legal separation ends.  A legal separation can last up to one year.  After one year, you will need to decide if you want to get a divorce or reconcile with your spouse.  If you choose to proceed with divorce proceedings, your legal-separation case can be converted to a divorce proceeding.

By contrast, divorce proceedings, once complete, permanently terminate your marriage, and permanently divide your marital property.  During a divorce, you may also reach an agreement or obtain court orders regarding child-related issues, although those may be modified in the future. Divorce proceedings may, and often do, last more than one year.  If one spouse initiates divorce proceedings, the other spouse may not then petition the Court for legal separation.

Legal separation may be right for couples who are not certain they want to end the marriage, but nonetheless desire a trial separation.  The attorneys at Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C., are available to speak to you about which option is right for you. Call us at (317) 580-9295; your future is our concern.

How to Pick the Right Divorce Lawyer

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One of the most important decisions you can make in the divorce process is who your attorney will be.  For some, the divorce process can take many months or even years.  Having the right attorney to help you navigate the process can make all the difference. How, then, can you make the right choice?

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1. Do your homework: Research, research, research. Talk to friends, family, and co-workers. Get online: many law firms now have attorney profiles, blogs, and social media accounts—check them out. Find out if the firm or attorney you’re looking at specializes in divorce or family law, or if they handle such cases routinely.

2. Ask questions and share information: When you’re ready, schedule a meeting with the attorney you’re considering hiring. While the attorney will certainly have many questions about your legal matter, you should have questions too.  How long has the attorney been practicing? Is this their area of expertise? How do they bill? Do they work with other attorneys? Do they have a paralegal? How do they typically handle a matter like yours? Ask the attorney how he or she views your legal matter. Is your position reasonable? How might a judge view a particular request? What might your spouse request in return? Where might there be conflicts? Share your priorities, and make sure you tell the attorney what matters to you with respect to your case.

3. Keep communicating: When you hire an attorney, they represent you and your interests. To enable your attorney to do their best work, you should be honest and open with him or her throughout the process. There will likely be times you feel upset or anxious about your case, and sometimes you will need to share your thoughts and feelings with your attorney or their staff so that you are on the same page.

Selecting the right attorney to assist you with your divorce is critical. Your attorney should be someone you trust, and ideally, someone with whom you can connect. The attorneys at Ruppert & Schaefer are available to meet with you to discuss your divorce or other family-law matter at any time.

Call us at (317) 580-9295; your future is our concern.

Divorce and Your Graduate Student

Posted on by kscheerer

Does your daughter dream about going to medical school? Does your son envision becoming a lawyer? You may know that divorced parents can be responsible for college costs—but what about the costs of graduate school?

 The Indiana Supreme Court recently ruled that divorced parents cannot be forced to contribute to their child’s graduate-school expenses. In Allen v. Allen, divorced parents agreed that the father would be responsible for their daughter’s educational expenses. When that daughter decided to go to dental school, the father asked the Court to order the mother to contribute to the daughter’s dental-school expenses.  The Supreme Court rejected that request:

[I]ndiana is one of the few states that have a statute providing for educational expenses once a child has reached the age of majority. Most states have no law requiring divorced parents provide college expenses, and of the states that do, the majority limit payment of the expenses to a certain age.

 

“We also note that married parents have no legal obligation to pay for their children’s educational expenses beyond high school, let alone graduate school expenses,” [Justice] David wrote.

 

He ended by noting that divorced parents can still agree to pay a portion or all of their child’s graduate expenses, and that agreement can be enforceable by the court.

Even though a court cannot force parents to pay for graduate school, other issues regarding elementary, secondary, and college expenses often arise in the divorce process. The attorneys at Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. have experience dealing with these issues and are available to discuss them with you. To make an appointment with one of our attorneys, call (317) 580-9295.

 

Divorcing the Family Dog

Posted on by kscheerer

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Many of the employees at Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. have pets at home—pets that they love and view as members of the family.  Clients going through a divorce often have questions about who gets to keep a beloved family pet.  Sometimes “pet parents” can come to an amicable resolution. But if you’re going through a divorce and you can’t agree, can a court order you to share “custody” of your four-legged friend? A contributor to the Indiana Lawyer recently recalled such a case:

When two women were divorcing in 2013, a New York judge agreed to hold a rare hearing on their fight over a dog. “Although Joey the miniature dachshund is not a human being and cannot be treated as such, he is decidedly more than a piece of property,” Judge Matthew Cooper wrote. The ruling was one of the first times a court had ever explained reasons for considering pets as more than property, making it influential even though Judge Cooper is a lower-court judge. The couple eventually settled their dispute out of court.

While courts may be hesitant to weigh in on animal issues, parties can frequently negotiate arrangements for their family pets. The attorneys at Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. have experience dealing with this issue, and we are available to discuss what might be best for you and your furry friends. To make an appointment with one of our attorneys, call (317) 580-9295.

Visit these Informative Resources to learn more about Family Law & Divorce

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Filing for divorce can be a stressful and emotional process, so it is important to have all of the support you need during this difficult time. Hiring an experienced law firm to guide you through the divorce process can help reduce stress and benefit the outcome of the divorce. In getting yourself prepared for the divorce process in Indiana here are a few resources:

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Divorce Laws: http://divorce.laws.com/divorce-in-indiana

Indiana Family Laws: http://statelaws.findlaw.com/indiana-law/indiana-family-laws.html

IACP – International Academy of Collaborative Professionals: https://www.collaborativepractice.com/

Split Film: http://www.splitfilm.org/

You can find more resources within our website by clicking here.

Our law firm has over 100 years’ experience in divorce and other family law matters. This concentration enables our clients to move forward in their lives in an efficient and positive manner. Our goal is to help you face and overcome the adversities of your divorce while protecting your rights, your financial interests, your family, and your future. Call our law firm today at 317-580-9295 to schedule a consultation.