Southern Indiana Child Custody Lawyer

Child Custody Attorney in Southern Indiana, KY

Whether you are getting divorced or are looking to modify child custody plans after a life change, decisions about child custody can be some of the most important decisions you make. As a parent, your child’s safety and well-being are the priority, making it essential to get up-to-date and accurate custody plans. A Southern Indiana child custody lawyer can help you provide safety and stability for your child. 

Why Choose Straw-Boone Doheny Banks Mudd Catalano & McKinney, PLLC?

Straw-Boone Doheny Banks Mudd Catalano & McKinney, PLLC, is an established law firm with over three decades of experience. As a trusted family lawyer firm, our attorneys understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate Indiana’s child custody laws alone, which is why we provide compassionate guidance and dedicated legal advocacy. In addition to serving families in Southern Indiana, we also protect children’s well-being and parental rights throughout Kentucky.

An Overview of Child Custody Matters in Indiana

Many Indiana families are impacted by child custody arrangements. Beyond solely divorcing parents, children of unmarried parents are also highly impacted by child custody laws. Forty-two percent of all live births are to unmarried mothers in Indiana. No matter what situation you are in as a parent, working with a Southern Indiana child custody lawyer can help you protect the needs of you and your child.

A strong child custody arrangement includes a solid parenting time plan that follows Indiana’s parenting time guidelines and allows a child to maintain a meaningful relationship with both parents. A custody arrangement that is tailored to your family’s needs ideally helps you and your child adjust during this major life transition.

Types of Custody in a Child Custody Case

Physical custody involves who the child is going to live with and receive day-to-day care from. In Indiana, one parent typically has primary physical custody. The other, non-custodial parent may have partial physical custody, or they may also have visitation rights with their child. However, it is possible for one parent to have full physical custody.

Legal custody involves which parent has the power to make important decisions about the child. Like physical custody, legal custody can be shared, or it can be the sole custody of one parent. The parent(s) with legal custody can make decisions on topics like those listed below:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Religious activities
• Extracurricular activities
• Travel

How Are Child Custody Matters Decided in Southern Indiana

According to Indiana’s child custody laws, child custody decisions are made depending on what is in the best interest of the child. This involves balancing the child’s safety, stability, physical and emotional health, and other factors in order to support their development. Some factors the court may use to determine the child’s best interest are listed below:

• Emotional ties between the child and each parent
• The parents’ ability to provide essential care for the child
• The parents’ physical and mental health
• The parents’ ability to co-parent
• Work schedules and availability
• Unique medical or personal needs of the child
• Whether there is a history of domestic violence

Often, these decisions are made between the child’s parents. A Southern Indiana child custody attorney can help you and the child’s other parent negotiate a mutually agreeable child custody arrangement. Often, settling on a parenting plan is preferred, as it allows for more flexibility and is personalized for your preferences, rather than being up to a judge’s opinion. 

However, not all child custody matters can be agreed on and decided by the parents. If you cannot agree, cannot safely communicate, or are unwilling to attempt negotiation, you can go to court. A Southern Indiana child custody attorney can represent you in the courtroom, explaining why your preferred custody arrangement supports your child. Ultimately, a judge makes the final decision on child custody. 

Nationwide, over 100,000 custody cases are contested each year. If you are interested in contesting an existing custody order ruling, speak with an experienced Southern Indiana child custody lawyer. They can help you determine what an ideal course of action should be, given the circumstances of your case.

FAQs About Child Custody Law

How Is Child Support Involved in a Child Custody Case?

In Indiana, both parents are required to support their child. Child support orders that follow the Indiana child support rules and guidelines should be established for a parent to fulfill this obligation. The amount of child support largely depends on how much time each parent spends caring for the child. Other factors that are considered include both parents’ income and the expenses of the child.

What Is the Biggest Mistake in a Custody Battle?

The biggest mistake in a custody battle is allowing personal interests and emotions to stand in the way of your child’s best interests. While it can be difficult to set aside personal feelings during a child custody case, it is necessary when determining the right outcome for the well-being of your child. If you hire a child custody lawyer, they can help you focus on the right custody plan for your family and avoid errors that threaten your custody. 

How Hard Is it to Get Full Custody in Indiana?

Getting full custody in Indiana can be challenging, as it requires proving that it’s in your child’s best interest. Indiana courts generally prefer joint custody, as it is often beneficial for a child to have a relationship with both parents. There are situations where full custody may be the right option, such as if the child’s other parent has a history of domestic violence, child abuse, or child neglect. A lawyer can help prioritize your child’s safety through full custody. 

Do Dads Get 50/50 Custody in Indiana?

Yes, dads can get 50/50 custody in Indiana, though this is not guaranteed. Instead, the parenting plan and custody are flexible depending on factors such as location, scheduling needs, education plans, and both parents’ ability to provide for the child. In Indiana, it is estimated that dads only get 28.8% of parenting time. A Southern Indiana child custody attorney can negotiate a fair parenting plan that works for both parents and the child.  

Hire a Child Custody Lawyer Who Cares

As a parent, you know there’s a lot at stake when it comes to child custody. At Straw-Boone Doheny Banks Mudd Catalano & McKinney, PLLC, we understand that every family has different needs and preferences. This is why we seek to craft customized plans rather than push a one-size-fits-all arrangement on the families we represent. Contact us to learn how an established law firm can pursue personalized child custody orders that reflect your family’s unique situation.