Third woman charged in Indiana custody dispute slaying
A third woman has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a man near Portland, Indiana, that allegedly arose from a child custody dispute.
Family Law
Articles
7th Circuit: Birth certificates should list both mothers in same-sex marriages
Nearly three years after oral arguments, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling in Indiana’s same-sex birth certificate case by following what the U.S. Supreme Court said to do — find in favor of the mothers.
Justices exempt reimbursements from family court councils
The Indiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges are now exempted sources of reimbursement under Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 3.14 and 3.15, the Indiana Supreme Court announced.
2 women charged in man’s killing amid child custody dispute
Two Indiana women who are softball coaches at an Ohio high school were charged Wednesday in Portland, Indiana, with murder in the fatal shooting of a man that allegedly arose from a child custody dispute.
Child Advocates celebrates ‘transformational’ $5M Lilly Endowment grant
Indiana’s largest organization that advocates for the interests of child victims of abuse has received the largest donation in its history — a $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment. “They call it a transformational gift, and it certainly is for us,” Child Advocates CEO Cindy Booth said of the award.
Justices, split 3-2, reject Facebook harassment, casino revenue cases
A mother who made threatening statements toward law enforcement on Facebook after the death of her son will not have her case heard by the Indiana Supreme Court, although two justices voted to grant transfer in the case. Justices also rejected two other appeals on a 3-2 vote.
Supreme Court reverses in dispute over implied adoption consent
A unanimous Indiana Supreme Court has reversed an adoption, holding that a parent’s implied consent to the adoption may not be based solely on their failure to appear at a single hearing. In doing so, justices unanimously agreed with the dissenting judge in a divided Indiana Court of Appeals ruling.
Zoeller & Makris: Reform needed to protect child’s best interests in custody disputes
One of the most troubling events that can arise in a family law matter is when children of the parties are placed in the middle of the parents’ adversarial proceeding. Legislative reform is needed.
Native American adoption dispute puts decades-old statute on defensive
The effort that Indiana joined to overturn the Indian Child Welfare Act, which seeks to preserve Native American families, is headed for another round in appellate court as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals prepares for a rehearing en banc following a lower court’s ruling that the 40-plus-year-old federal statute was unconstitutional.
Good faith effort: Marion County creates program for parents who lose licenses over child support
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office launched a temporary program last month designed to help delinquent parents get their licenses back while also ensuring they meet their child support obligations. Scores of parents since have had their driving privileges restored while getting back on the right road with their support payments.
Allen Superior Court names Trevino next chief judge
The Allen Superior Court’s Board of Judges has elected Judge Andrea R. Trevino to serve as the court’s next chief judge. Trevino’s two-year term begins Jan. 1, 2020.
Presumed dad’s paternity vacated, granted to true biological father
The Indiana Court of Appeals has vacated an order establishing paternity for man after genetic testing revealed he was not the biological father of a child he and the child’s mother claimed was his. Paternity was instead ordered for the child’s revealed biological father.
CHINS findings for siblings upheld
The parents of four children who were all adjudicated as children in need of services have lost their appeal of the CHINS determinations, with the Indiana Court of Appeals dismissing arguments claiming error on the part of the trial court and the Department of Child Services.
COA reverses for father in TPR case, citing ‘no evidence at all’
The termination of a father’s parental rights has been reversed after a panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals found insufficient evidence proved he would threaten the wellbeing of his daughter.
COA affirms addition of farmland contractual interests in marital estate
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the dissolution of a man’s marriage, finding the inclusion of his contractual interests in purchased farmland in the martial estate was not an abuse of discretion.
Father loses appeal of denied petition to terminate guardianship
A father’s failed attempt to vacate a guardianship order was upheld at the Indiana Court of Appeals, which also warned his counsel against “vitriolic language” accusing the opposing party and trial court of improper motives.
IndyBar: Give Yourself the Gift This Holiday Season!
This year, give yourself the gift. Give yourself the gift of a break, a little bit of sanity and some much-needed time with friends and family.
Appeals court affirms TPR despite trial court’s error
A trial court’s error in denying a mother’s motion to separate witnesses during her termination of parental rights hearing was harmless, and therefore reversal was not mandated, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Husband wins remand over asset division in divorce case
A husband who disagreed with the division of assets in his divorce case has won partial victory and a remand from the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Appeals court rules against father in DCS dispute
A father fighting child welfare investigations that resulted in his son’s removal from his custody has lost his appeals of multiple motions granted by the trial court that damaged his case.