Indianapolis Child Custody Lawyers
Child custody and child support are often among the most challenging issues parents face, whether they arise during divorce, a paternity case, or after a court order is already in place. Both parents typically share a deep commitment to their children and want to remain actively involved in their lives. At the same time, important decisions must be made about where children will live, how parenting time will be structured, and how their financial needs will be met.
At Schembs Law, we provide clear, steady guidance to help clients navigate these decisions with confidence. We are committed to protecting our clients’ parental rights while keeping the focus where it belongs – on the best interests of the children. We represent parents in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana in child custody and support matters.
How Are Custody and Support Decided in Indiana?
When children live primarily with one parent, the other parent is generally responsible for paying child support. In Indiana, child support is calculated using established guidelines that take into account several key factors, including:
- Each parent’s income
- Health insurance costs for the child
- The number of overnights the child spends with each parent
- Work-related childcare expenses
- The number of other children each parent supports
While child support follows a relatively structured formula, Indiana child custody and parenting time decisions are more flexible and depend on the specific circumstances of each family. Courts focus on the best interests of the child, considering factors such as:
- Each parent’s work schedule and availability
- The age and needs of the child
- Any history of substance abuse
- The stability of each parent’s home environment
- The child’s relationship with each parent
Custody may be shared between parents or awarded primarily to one parent. Under Indiana law, it is also important to distinguish between physical custody (where the child lives) and legal custody (who makes major decisions about the child’s upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religion).
What If One Parent Has Sole or Primary Custody?
In some cases, one parent may be awarded sole legal custody, giving them authority to make major decisions about the child, or primary physical custody, meaning the child lives with them most of the time. Even in these situations, the other parent will usually still have parenting time unless there are safety concerns. Indiana courts generally encourage both parents to remain involved in a child’s life whenever it is safe and appropriate. This can be especially important for fathers, who may face challenges in maintaining or expanding parenting time – issues we address further on our Fathers’ Rights page.
Protecting Your Position in Custody and Support Modifications
When life changes, your court orders should reflect it. If your current custody or child support arrangement no longer fits your circumstances, you may have the right to seek a modification – and having the right legal guidance can make all the difference. At the same time, if you are facing a proposed change, it is just as important to protect arrangements that are working and ensure any modification is truly justified.
Custody modifications often arise when there has been a meaningful change affecting a child’s best interests, such as relocation, changes in a parent’s home environment, or concerns about a child’s well-being. These cases require careful preparation and a clear presentation of the facts. Whether you are requesting or opposing a change, we work with you to build a strong, thoughtful position focused on what matters most – your child.
Child support orders may also be modified when financial or parenting circumstances change, including shifts in income, employment, healthcare costs, or parenting time. We help clients pursue appropriate adjustments when warranted and defend against unsupported or unnecessary changes, ensuring that support obligations remain fair, accurate, and aligned with Indiana guidelines.
At Schembs Law, we provide practical, strategic guidance on both sides of modification cases. Our goal is to help you move forward with confidence while protecting your rights, your financial stability, and your relationship with your child.
An Attorney Can Protect Your Rights As A Parent
Call our Indianapolis office at 317-643-6266 to schedule your initial consultation with attorney Robert Schembs. You can also contact us online to learn more.