Divorce is usually one of the most difficult things a person faces in their life, and most people want it over as quickly as possible. However, unraveling your life from another person is complex and often involves key issues such as property division, child custody, child support, and more.
How these factors are settled in your divorce decree is legally binding, which means that they may have an impact on you for the rest of your life. It is, therefore, essential that you have the guidance of an experienced divorce lawyer who has your best interests at heart.
WSM was founded based on an important goal – to support women through a divorce, and other family law matters so that they can leave their marriage feeling confident about their future. We want to empower women to live their best possible lives after divorce, which is why we only work with female clients.
We believe that the attorney-client relationship should involve taking the time to understand what’s important to you so that we can tailor our support. Most women do not realize their rights, and we will inform you every step of the way so that you know exactly where you stand.
Using mediation and negotiation wherever possible, we will fight to protect your rights. If necessary, we will always be prepared to take your case to court and will provide fierce representation.
Our personal but professional approach and our dedication to women allow us to provide unparalleled support to women in Indianapolis, IN.
To arrange a free consultation with an Indianapolis divorce lawyer for women, contact the law office of WSM today at 380-212-3731.
Located in Indianapolis, we serve clients in Marion, Hamilton, and Hendricks County and throughout Indiana.
If you are facing divorce proceedings or legal separation, then you need guidance from a certified family law specialist who has skills in mediation and litigation. When you secure legal representation from WSM, this is exactly what you will get. We are committed to the collaborative law process but are also fierce litigators and are able to handle even the most complex cases, even those involving high-value marital assets or high-conflict divorce.
It is essential that your divorce lawyer is experienced in representing clients in the courtroom. If they are not and your ex-spouse has representation from someone who is, then it could leave you vulnerable.
Local experience is critical in an Indianapolis divorce case because Indiana’s family law system has unique statutes, procedures, and court expectations that vary by jurisdiction. An attorney familiar with local judges, court policies, and community-specific nuances can provide tailored strategies to navigate these complexities effectively. For example, they can anticipate how certain judges may approach custody disputes or property division, ensuring your case is presented in a way that aligns with local practices. This localized knowledge not only streamlines the process but also maximizes the likelihood of achieving favorable outcomes, providing a significant advantage in such emotionally and legally complex matters.
A family law judge will expect you to try and use mediation first, so it is equally important that your Indianapolis divorce attorney is a trained mediator. Mediation also has many benefits to consider, and while you may not believe that you can be amicable with your ex-spouse, many are surprised by how far they can come with professional help.
Some of the benefits of using mediation to settle some aspects of your divorce decree include:
If you and your ex-spouse can remain on speaking terms, then it will help protect children who could otherwise be exposed to a lot of conflict. Children benefit from having both parents in their lives, which is much easier when their parents are able to be amicable with each other.
When warring spouses cannot come to their own agreements, the judge will make rulings on their behalf, which must be adhered to. If you and your ex-spouse can agree on important decisions, you retain control and can ensure that they are what’s best for you and your children.
Court proceedings are costly, but when you are able to come to your own agreements using divorce services such as mediation, it will save money on overall legal fees.
When you and your ex-spouse use legal counsel to arrive at agreements, they are more likely to be approved by a judge. Any decisions you make regarding your divorce will need to be approved by the judge overseeing your case. Your Indianapolis divorce lawyer will have an understanding of how the judge makes their decisions to maximize the chances of approval.
Court dates for family law services are always in demand, which means that people often have to wait many months before they can secure a date. Each contested issue requires a new court date, which means that the more factors that you and your ex-spouse cannot agree on, the more court dates you will need and the longer it will take to finalize your divorce.
You and your ex-spouse will probably never be great friends, but if you can settle your differences with professional help, it could allow you to remain amicable. This is beneficial for you and your children.
While every divorce law firm provides family law services, they differ in their approach. Finding the right representation for your case, from someone you feel confident in to do what’s best for you and your family, is incredibly important.
Many people who are faced with divorce have never needed an attorney before, which can make choosing a law firm feel impossible. To make it a bit easier, we have compiled a list of questions that you can ask a potential divorce lawyer for women. Many family law firms, such as WSM, will offer free consultations, which will allow you to get to know your potential Indianapolis divorce attorney before you commit to representation.
As well as getting a feel for your attorney’s experience and how dedicated they will be to your case, your free consultation is also an opportunity to decide how comfortable you feel speaking with your attorney. Having the skills and experience necessary to navigate your case is essential, but it is also important that you like your attorney. You will be spending a lot of time with them navigating highly personal issues, so you should be able to speak with them without the fear of judgment.
Every divorce is unique. However, they all have similar issues that need to be worked through. The divorce lawyers for women at our family law firm are prepared to guide you through all of the challenges you may face.
One of the most integral factors of any divorce is the division of property. How your property is divided can have a serious impact on your financial stability after divorce, and as Indiana is an equitable distribution state, assets are not always split in half. Instead, the property must be divided in a ‘just and fair way’.
The first task is to decide what property is separate and what is marital. Separate property is the assets either party owned before they were married, as well as inheritance, gifts, and anything protected by prenuptial agreements. Separate property is not subject to division, which means that after divorce, they continue to belong to each individual.
On the other hand, marital property must be split in a ‘just and fair way’. Marital assets are everything you attained while you were married, including vehicles, pensions, real estate, savings, stocks and bonds, and debt.
When determining what is fair and just, the Judge may consider the length of the marriage, who is the primary custodial parent, each spouse’s needs, the ability of each spouse to earn money, each spouse’s contribution to the marriage, how much separate property each spouse has, and more.
An experienced divorce lawyer in Indianapolis can help you gather documents and fight for what is rightfully yours. They should take the time to understand what’s important to you and ensure that property is divided in a way that protects your future. If you made sacrifices to look after children or your home, then they will make sure that this is taken into account when dividing your assets.
They will also ensure that if your spouse has any hidden assets these are accounted for.
If you and your ex-spouse have children, then child custody is likely to be one of your biggest concerns. Usually, everyone wants what’s best for them, but people disagree about what that means.
Unless there is concern over the impact one parent could have on a child’s well-being, the judge will expect to see parents try to agree on a shared parenting plan. Usually, this involves a primary custodian who lives with the child the majority of the time, while the other is awarded visitation rights. A typical schedule might be one weekday and every other weekend.
Usually, the non-custodial parent will pay child support to the other unless the custodial parent is the highest earner. Whatever the circumstances, both parents are expected to contribute financially to the upbringing of their children.
[Read: How is Child Support Determined in Indiana?]
Most divorce cases do not result in a spousal support order. However, in cases where one spouse requires support to maintain the same standard of living, it should be awarded. For some of the women we work with, spousal support is essential for them to feel confident about leaving their marriage, and we will work with them to secure it if it is possible in their case.
At WSM, our dedication to women has allowed us to create a safe space where women feel empowered to share their experiences and begin to heal. For this reason, we have worked with numerous women who have suffered domestic violence.
We understand how difficult it is to take those first steps, but we urge you to contact us as soon as possible. We will help you file a protective order to keep your spouse away from you and your children. We can advise you about getting to a place of safety and will ensure that the judge knows about the extent of your experiences and that they are considered when decisions are reached in regard to your divorce.
Legal separation and divorce both allow couples to separate and make agreements on things like child custody and property division. However, in a legal separation, you remain married to your spouse and have the option of continuing your relationship at a later date. The main reason why some people choose a legal separation over a divorce is religious reasons. At WSM, we can help you decide what avenue is right for you and guide clients through both divorces and legal separations.
In rare cases where both spouses agree on all key issues and do not have any complications they need to address, such as high assets or children, then they may choose to divorce on their own. However, considering the gravity of the effects that the outcome of your divorce will have on your life, the decision not to have legal assistance should not be taken lightly. We suggest that you at least seek a free consultation so that you can discuss the details of your divorce with an Indianapolis divorce attorney and gain some initial clarity on your situation.
Every divorce case is different; some take under a year, while more complex cases could take two years or more. In the meantime, many couples need guidance on key issues, such as child custody.
Your Indianapolis divorce lawyer will help you file for temporary orders, which will set obligations on you and your ex-spouse while you await the outcome of your divorce. Although these orders are temporary, they can impact the judge’s final decisions so it is important to take them seriously and seek guidance from a divorce lawyer for women
The cost of divorce in Indiana depends on the number of contested issues. At WSM, we will aim to keep costs down by using mediation where possible. At the same time, we will not sacrifice any aspect of your case and are willing to go the distance and litigate your case in court if necessary. In your free consultation, we can give you an idea of what your case could cost so you can make an informed choice.
Some of our clients would rather have a female attorney, and we are always happy to accommodate. All of our attorneys are highly skilled, each with their expertise in a family law practice area. We will assign the right match for your case, depending on your unique circumstances.
WSM began in 2021 when three skilled family law attorneys came together with a shared vision – to empower women to feel confident in their lives after divorce.
Natalie McGee, Katie Woodford, and Hari Sathappan have formed the only law firm in the Indianapolis area to represent women exclusively. Their dedication gives them a unique advantage in understanding and meeting women’s needs.
Contact us at 380-212-3731 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Indianapolis divorce lawyer.
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