Indiana courts have long held that in custody issues, the best interest of the child should be their primary concern. A recent case before the Court of Appeals of Indiana puts that idea to the test. In G.S., Jr. vs. H.L., the court had to choose between a child's...
Compassionate Guidance Through Difficult Personal Times
Cross Glazier Reed Burroughs Staff
Child Custody
Court affirms grandmother’s custody rights over mother’s objections
The legal standard for custody decisions in divorce cases is the best interests of the child. Sometimes that means custody may go to a third party, like a grandparent – even when a parent is available. For example, in In Re the Matter of: Paternity of W.M.T. (Ind....
New guidelines for parenting time during a health emergency
The Indiana Supreme Court recently issued new and amended guidelines for how parents should handle their parenting responsibilities during the pandemic or another health emergency. The keys are to be flexible and cooperative and to promote the health and best...
Grandparents must establish certain factors to win visitation rights
Grandparents often play a special role in the life of a child. In the past, however, they did not have a right to see their grandchildren under common law. Many states have changed that. Indiana has recognized grandparent visitation rights since 1982. The Indiana law...
Crafting a child-focused post-divorce relationship
Custody arrangements can seem overwhelming, especially if parents have gone through a contentious divorce. Angry and hurtful feelings can linger. However, prioritizing your children’s best interests can help you move on. Successful co-parenting isn’t defined as having...
Keeping co-parenting positive for your children
Although your romantic relationship is ending with your spouse or partner, if you share children, you will always have a co-parenting relationship. No matter how you feel about your ex, you need to have a positive working relationship for the sake of your children....
Children bond with Mom and Dad differently
You have probably heard that divorce courts prefer joint custody for the children when possible. This just means that both Mom and Dad will be involved, to a degree, after a divorce. The courts try to steer clear of sole custody unless it's apparent that the child's...
Avoid these common discipline mistakes of divorced parents
All parents disagree with one another at least occasionally on how to best discipline their children. When parents are separated or divorced, those disagreements can be exacerbated by their negative feelings about each other as well as the fact that they're each...
Changed circumstances that alter child custody solutions
The child custody solution that you settle on when you get divorced may not be one that works for the rest of a child's time living with you and your ex. You must be open to the idea of change, especially when there are altered circumstances that make that change...
Important questions the court asks about child custody
If you end up in divorce court, with a judge determining how custody of your children should get divided between you and your ex, the judge is going to ask a number of questions to better evaluate the situation. The judicial preference is for shared custody between...
