Indiana Family Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Indiana family law attorneys who can navigate Indiana’s equitable distribution framework.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with an Indiana attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Indiana family law case review

A Indiana attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your Indiana family law case

When you submit a Indiana family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Indiana law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Indiana who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a family law claim in Indiana

Day 0
You decide to act.
Separation, custody, support or a modification. Gather financials, the children’s schedules and any agreements or orders that already exist.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Indiana family law attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
Filing and disclosures.
The petition is filed and both sides exchange financial disclosures. Temporary orders for custody or support can be requested early in Indiana.
Months 1–6
Negotiation or mediation.
Most cases settle here — parenting plans, division of property, support. Your attorney negotiates from the disclosures, not from guesses.
If it doesn’t settle
Hearing or trial.
Contested issues go before a judge. Preparation matters more than argument; your attorney builds the file for it from day one.
Resolution
Final order.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Residency Requirement: 6 months
6 months in Indiana, 3 months in county (Ind. Code § 31-15-2-6); 60-day waiting period (§ 31-15-2-10)
Property Division System: Equitable distribution
Equitable distribution with presumption of equal division of ALL property — including premarital (Ind. Code § 31-15-7-5)
Custody Standard: Best interests
Best interests with 8 statutory factors (Ind. Code § 31-17-2-8)
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares
Income Shares model — Indiana Child Support Guidelines
Spousal Support Framework: 3 years
Limited maintenance under Ind. Code § 31-15-7-2 — incapacity, caregiver, or rehabilitative (capped at 3 years)
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Indiana allows divorce on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage (Ind. Code § 31-15-2-3) and retains 3 fault grounds (conviction of an infamous crime, impotence at marriage, and incurable insanity for 2 years). Residency is 6 months in Indiana and 3 months in the county (Ind. Code § 31-15-2-6). Indiana imposes a 60-day waiting period from filing before the court can enter a decree (Ind. Code § 31-15-2-10). Indiana is an equitable distribution state under Ind. Code § 31-15-7-4, with a presumption of equal division of all property (including premarital) — a notable feature of Indiana law. Custody follows Ind. Code § 31-17-2-8 best-interests factors.

Exhibit B

When to call a family law attorney in Indiana

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Family Law cases we take in Indiana

Which one is closest to yours?

Uncontested divorce

When both spouses agree on all terms, Indiana allows finalization at the 60-day waiting period via summary dissolution proceeding.

Sound like yours? A Indiana attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

Start my free review

Exhibit D

How much do Indiana family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Indiana · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Indiana are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Indiana are not handled on contingency. Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. Indiana family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under Ind. Code § 31-15-10-1.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Indiana family law compensation can include

A Indiana family law recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Property Division

Equitable distribution with presumption of equal division of ALL property under Ind. Code § 31-15-7-5 — including premarital, inherited, and gifted property.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Indiana family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Indiana attorney will review it for free.

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At minimum, 60 days from filing — Indiana’s waiting period under Ind. Code § 31-15-2-10. Uncontested divorces typically finalize at the 60-day mark or shortly after. Contested cases generally take 6–12 months.

Yes. Indiana recognizes irretrievable breakdown as the primary no-fault ground under Ind. Code § 31-15-2-3. Indiana retains only 3 fault grounds (conviction of an infamous crime, impotence at marriage, incurable insanity for 2+ years), which are rarely invoked.

No pre-filing separation is required. Indiana only requires the 60-day waiting period from filing to decree under Ind. Code § 31-15-2-10.

Indiana is unique among equitable distribution states — there is a presumption of equal division of ALL property under Ind. Code § 31-15-7-5, including premarital, inherited, and gifted property. The presumption can be rebutted with evidence of factors like contribution, prior acquisition, gifts/inheritance, economic circumstances, conduct, and earnings. This is a high bar to overcome.

Indiana applies a best-interests standard under Ind. Code § 31-17-2-8 with 8 factors: age and sex of the child, parents’ wishes, child’s wishes, child’s relationships, child’s adjustment, mental and physical health of all parties, evidence of domestic or family violence, and the child’s care provider history. Joint legal custody requires the parents’ ability to communicate.

Indiana uses the Income Shares model under the Indiana Child Support Guidelines. Both parents’ weekly gross incomes are applied to the schedule and prorated, with parenting time credit, healthcare, and childcare adjustments. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines establish presumptive overnight schedules.

Yes. Custody can be modified on a substantial change in one of the best-interests factors. Child support requires a 20%+ change in the guideline amount or 12 months since the last order. Indiana spousal maintenance is generally non-modifiable if it’s rehabilitative; incapacity maintenance can be revisited. Property division is final.