Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law

At the Indianapolis Law Offices of Schembs Sweeney, we represent clients facing a wide range of family legal issues.  Our experienced attorneys have spoken to hundreds of clients over the years, and noticed that they have many of the same questions about family law issues.  Our lawyers have posted some frequently asked questions and answers here for your benefit.

What is family law?
Family law deals with legal issues that arise in families.  Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, prenuptial agreements and adoption are common legal issues handled by family lawyers.

What is divorce?
Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage. Common legal issues that may arise during divorce in Indianapolis include divorce litigation, division of assets, child custody, child support, spousal support, and uncontested divorce.  If you are considering divorce or are currently in the process of a divorce, an experienced family lawyer can help you through the process.

What is child custody?
Child custody determines who gets custody of the children after a divorce or separation.  In Indianapolis, there are four types of child custody: legal custody, physical custody, sole custody, and joint custody.  If you want to fight for custody of your children and need legal help, a family law attorney can assist you during a child custody battle.

What is child support?
Child support is payment from one spouse to another for the financial support of children after a divorce or separation.  Several factors are used to determine the amount of child support payment, including the financial needs of the children, the custodial parent’s income, the non-custodial parent’s income, and the standard of living before the divorce.

What is paternity?
Paternity deals with who is recognized as the father of the child.  Paternity can be important when trying to establish child support payments because some fathers deny being the biological father of a child to avoid paying child support.  Paternity tests can be ordered by court to determine the validity of the father’s argument.

What is adoption?
Adoption is a process where an adult becomes the legal parent of a child who is not biologically their offspring.  There are five types of adoption: international, independent, identified, relative, and agency.  A family lawyer can help you navigate the legalities involved in adoption.

Why should I hire a family lawyer?
Many of the legal issues pertaining to family law can be complex, and it helps to have advice from an experienced family attorney who knows how to deal with these types of issues. A family lawyer will help ensure that your rights are protected and will always have you and your family’s best interests at heart.

Contact the Indianapolis Law Offices of Schembs Sweeney today to discuss your family law issues with an experienced and skilled family law attorney.