Many fathers believe that the court system is biased in favor of mothers in custody cases. While Indiana law does not automatically favor one parent over the other, outdated assumptions can still play a role in how custody is decided. Fathers often face challenges proving they are equal caregivers and that they deserve joint or even primary custody.

Winning a custody case in Indiana requires more than just wanting to be with your child—you must prove to the court that you provide the best environment for their well-being. Judges evaluate several factors when determining custody arrangements, and understanding what courts look for in a strong custody case can help you prepare effectively.

Being falsely accused of abuse in a custody case is devastating. These allegations can damage your reputation, impact your custody rights, and even result in criminal investigations. Unfortunately, some parents use false claims as a weapon to gain an advantage in a custody battle.

In a heated custody battle, emotions can run high. Parents may feel frustrated with one another, and in some cases, one parent may resort to badmouthing the other—whether in front of the child, to family members, or even on social media. However, badmouthing the other parent can seriously hurt your custody case

When a court establishes a custody order in Indiana, both parents are legally required to follow it. However, custody violations are common, ranging from denied visitation to one parent making unilateral decisions about the child’s welfare. If the other parent is violating a custody order, you have legal options to enforce the order and protect your parental rights.

Winning sole custody of your child is one of the most challenging legal battles a parent can face. Indiana courts prioritize the best interests of the child, and judges typically prefer shared parenting arrangements. However, there are circumstances where sole custody is warranted—whether due to neglect, abuse, instability, or an inability of the other parent to co-parent effectively.

Winning a child custody case in Indiana requires more than just wanting custody—you need a solid legal strategy backed by evidence that demonstrates your ability to provide the best environment for your child. Whether you're fighting for joint custody, primary custody, or sole custody, the court's primary concern is the best interests of the child.

Parenting time arrangements play a crucial role in maintaining strong relationships between children and both parents after separation or divorce. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines provide a structured framework to ensure that children maintain consistent and meaningful contact with both parents. This guide focuses on the parenting time schedule for children ages 3 and older, including regular parenting time, extended parenting time, and considerations for adolescents and teenagers.

Child custody orders in Indiana are designed to serve the best interests of the child at the time they are established. However, as circumstances change, parents may seek to modify custody arrangements to better reflect their child's evolving needs. Understanding when and how custody modifications are granted in Indiana can help parents navigate this complex legal process.

When parents separate or divorce, child custody becomes one of the most important legal decisions. In Indiana, joint custody allows both parents to stay actively involved in their child's life, ensuring that major decisions and parenting responsibilities are shared. However, joint custody can take different forms, and courts always prioritize the child's best interests when determining custody arrangements.

Fathers play a crucial role in their children's lives, providing emotional, financial, and moral support. Yet, navigating the legal system to protect these rights can be challenging. In Indiana, fathers have specific legal rights regarding paternity, custody, parenting time, and child support.

An emergency custody order is a legal measure that allows a parent to seek immediate custody of a child if the child is in danger. Indiana courts issue these orders in cases where a child faces abuse, neglect, exposure to harmful environments, or an immediate safety risk.

When parents separate, custody decisions can become complex, especially when one parent seeks sole legal custody. Indiana law generally favors both parents having a role in decision-making for their children, but that isn’t always possible. The case of Wells v. Wells illustrates the key factors that can lead a court to deny joint legal custody.

When a parent wants to relocate with their child, it can significantly impact custody and parenting time. Indiana law strives to balance the rights of both parents while prioritizing the child’s best interests. Courts evaluate relocation requests carefully, considering the impact on the child’s stability, relationships, and overall well-being.

For many parents with a challenging history, securing meaningful parenting time can be an uphill battle. Courts prioritize a child's best interests, and parents with past criminal convictions, substance abuse issues, or other concerns may initially face supervised visitation or limited contact. However, as demonstrated in Moslander v. Vincent, change is possible.

Parenting time disagreements, relocation, and enforcement issues are common challenges in co-parenting. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines provide a framework to resolve disputes, handle relocation notices, and enforce parenting time orders fairly.

Effective co-parenting requires open communication and information sharing. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines emphasize that both parents have a right to access and share important details about their child’s education, health, and activities. When parents fail to obtain and exchange information, it can cause confusion, inconvenience, or even cause issues for the child.

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines acknowledge that life is unpredictable. Work obligations, family emergencies, illnesses, or special events may require adjustments to a parenting time schedule. While courts expect parents to follow their parenting time orders, they also recognize that flexibility is sometimes necessary.

When establishing parenting time schedules for infants and toddlers, Indiana courts follow specific guidelines to ensure a child’s developmental needs are met. Infants require frequent but short visits, while toddlers gradually transition to extended parenting time, including overnights.

One of the most important aspects of co-parenting is maintaining clear, respectful lines of communication. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines devote an entire section to the subject of communication—highlighting not only the forms communication can take, but also the rules, responsibilities, and spirit behind keeping both parents and children consistently connected. In this post, we’ll explore these guidelines in detail and provide practical tips for avoiding conflict, misunderstanding, or interference when it comes to co-parenting communications.