Fishers Divorce Litigators
Devoted to Advocating for Your Best Interests
Depending on your circumstances, filing for divorce can mean a commitment to lengthy legal proceedings lasting anywhere from six (6) months to several years. While many divorces involve contentious battles, it benefits both parties to remain civil and proceed with an attitude facilitating compromise. This is especially true for divorces with minor children and disputed child custody.
At Massillamany Jeter & Carson, our team of family law attorneys can help keep your divorce simple and goal oriented at the same time. We can also help you with your divorce if you have special considerations, such as a military divorce.
Discuss your case with an experienced family law counselor by scheduling a free consultation online or by phone at (317) 434-1490.
What Are the Requirements for a Valid Divorce?
Divorce – technically referred to as “dissolution of marriage” – is often an individual’s first encounter with the judicial system. “An action for dissolution of a marriage” is legal jargon for what you might know as a divorce.
The law recognizes the following reasons for a valid divorce:
- Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage;
- A spouse being convicted of a felony;
- Impotence, existing at the time of marriage; or
- Incurable insanity.
Indiana is a no-fault state; which means the reasons for the breakdown of the marriage are irrelevant to the court. Even if one of the parties opposes the divorce, the other can still obtain the divorce. The party filing for the divorce must be a resident of Indiana for six (6) months prior to the initial filing of the divorce.
Parties initiating a divorce action file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, which is the document that must be filed to begin the divorce process. The petition states that there has been an irretrievable/irreversible breakdown of the marriage and that the only option is dissolution. Once the petition is filed, there is a mandatory sixty (60) day “cooling off period” before the court can finalize the divorce. If children were born into the marriage, many courts will require the parties to attend a parenting course before the divorce is finalized.
Are there Alternatives to Court?
Many divorces do not go to court. The judicial system has alternative dispute resolution and collaborative law processes that help parties come to a final agreement without ever entering a court room.
Compassionate Representation for Fishers Residents
Our family law attorneys at Massillamany Jeter & Carson realize and understand that a divorce can be an emotional and significant change in our client’s lives, and we are here to help you through the process. We pride ourselves on achieving real results while providing you with individualized attention and representation that is focused on each person’s needs.
To schedule an appointment with a Fishers divorce litigator at Massillamany Jeter & Carson, please contact us online or dial (317) 434-1490 today.