Chesterton Family Law Attorneys

Navigating the complexities of family law within Indiana can often feel like an uphill battle. With an attorney at your side, you can pursue the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones. At Smith Legal Group, we are committed to providing compassionate services that encompass a range of family law matters. Our team strikes an effective balance between practical legal strategizing and individualized attention, ensuring your sensitive cases are handled with utmost care and professionalism.

Divorce

Divorce represents a significant life shift, and this transition can bring significant uncertainty. Whether you have children or rely on your spouse for financial support, it’s important to work with an attorney. Our team understands the lasting impact that decisions made during this process can have on your family, assets, and finances. We handle everything from simple uncontested dissolutions to contentious divorce litigation matters. We work relentlessly to protect your rights and ensure all agreements, property divisions, and custody arrangements are equitable.

Child Custody & Support

Family law in Indiana allows families to enter into any child custody agreement that serves the child’s best interests. Whether it involves physical or legal custody, or joint or sole custody agreements, we guide you through these complex waters. The court’s power to protect children whose parents are separated extends to child support decisions.  We will focus on positive solutions for everyone involved. We help secure a fair and reasonable child support payment plan, ensuring the child’s financial well-being and the parents’ financial obligations are reasonably met.

Paternity

Paternity issues add another layer of complexity to family law. Establishing paternity is crucial in determining both parents’ rights and responsibilities. Whether it’s a mother seeking support, a father seeking parental or custodial rights, or both parents wishing to establish paternity for the child’s sake, we are here to guide you through this intricate process. We have extensive experience working with our clients to determine the paternity of their children. You may need a paternity test if want to secure child support and have access to medical records, government benefits, and health insurance for your child but have not established parentage.

Adoptions

Adoption processes, whether stepparent, blood relative, agency placement, or private placement, require careful navigation of legal procedures and paperwork. Additionally, adult adoption is a popular option for biological parents, or for children who find their birth family and wish to be formally acknowledged, or fathers who find children they didn’t know they had. We streamline this process, ensuring that all necessary consents, notices, and investigations are handled professionally and promptly.

Guardian Ad Litem

In certain cases, a Guardian Ad Litem may be appointed to represent and protect a child’s best interests. Our experienced attorneys can serve as a child’s voice in these situations, advocating for their welfare and providing services as requested by the court.

Family Law Mediations

Family law mediations offer an alternative route to dispute resolution. As neutral third parties, our professional mediators facilitate discussions without passing judgment on the parties involved, helping individuals better understand their problems and reach a mutual agreement.

Name Changes

Legal name changes can be necessitated by various life events. Our firm has assisted numerous individuals with legally changing their name and/or gender marker on their birth certificate. This process can be done confidentially and we offer an affordable flat rate service.

We guide you through the Indiana legal process, making this transition smooth and hassle-free, whether it is after a divorce or for any other personal reason.

Guardianships

Guardianships over incompetent adults and children in the long-term custody of a non-parent often require legal intervention. We assist in filing petitions in the county probate court, ensuring the appointed guardian meets the court’s approval. Smith Legal Group offers affordable rates, accessibility and peace of mind in our years of experience to ensure that you receive the best representation possible for your guardianship case for adults or minors.

Contact Our Attorneys for a Consultation

Family law in Indiana is intricate and can often be emotionally charged. At Smith Legal Group, we bring our extensive experience, compassionate approach, and deep understanding of the law to support you through these challenging times. Our primary goal is to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones, always prioritizing your needs and emotions. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.