Indianapolis Female Divorce Lawyer

Woodford Sathappan McGee is a law firm that is dedicated to the needs of women. We solely represent women in family law matters in Indianapolis and Ohio, and this narrow focus gives us a unique advantage when it comes to supporting women faced with divorce or legal separation.

We understand that many women would rather be represented by another woman who grasps their perspective, and are here to support them. Although female attorneys still represent the minority of legal professionals in the United States, women offer a level of care and dedication that is unmatched, especially in family law matters. 

Our law firm is proud to be female-led. Many of our attorneys are mothers themselves who have the shared experience of divorce and life as a single mother. All of our attorneys share the same goal, which is to help women navigate divorce in a way that gives them the confidence and security they need to transition to a new way of life.

If you are looking for a female attorney in Indianapolis, then you have come to the right place. We will prioritize mediation where possible but will always be prepared to represent you in front of a Judge if necessary.

Remember, the outcome of your divorce will place legal obligations on you that could have a huge impact on your future. It is important that you are supported by an experienced female divorce attorney who has your best interest at heart.

Contact the law office of Woodford Sathappan McGee today to arrange a free consultation with an Indianapolis divorce attorney at 380-212-3731.

An Introduction to Our Female Divorce Attorneys

Our legal team is comprised of experienced female divorce lawyers, who each have a unique set of experiences and skills. We will guide you through your divorce case and will strive for the best possible outcome.

Here is a short introduction to some of our female divorce attorneys.

Jane Glynn – Head of Indianapolis Office

Jane Glynn is the Managing Attorney for our Indianapolis office. Jane attended law school with the goal of becoming a divorce attorney for women. Jane has experience in all areas of family law, including divorce, post-divorce modification, child custody, adoption, relocation, and more.

Jane is an active advocate for women’s rights and boasts many professional associations, including:

• A member of the Indianapolis Bar Association Leader Series Class XII.
• Belongs to the Central Indiana Association of Collaborative Professionals.
• Serves as the Chair for the Executive Committee of the IndyBar’s Solo/Small Firm Practice division.
• An active member of the Indiana State Bar Association and has served on its Children’s Rights Committee and Real Property Council.

Katie Woodford – Managing Partner

Katie Woodford has been dedicated to family law throughout her career and is one of the founding members of our law firm. She has a wealth of experience in high-asset and high-conflict divorce cases and is a highly skilled mediator and litigator.

Katie has the skills, resources, and experience to help women through even the most complex and stressful situations. Her dedication to women shines through her practice.

Natalie McGee – Managing Partner

Natalie McGee is also a founding member of our law firm, thanks to her shared desire to support women through family law matters.

She has been immersed in courtroom dynamics since the beginning of her career and has a passion for defending women in criminal matters. She is dedicated to helping women who have suffered abuse and serves as Marsy’s Law Attorney to victims of domestic violence.

Holistic Support Throughout The Divorce Process

At WSM, we believe in empowering women with knowledge of their Constitutional rights. Knowing the law provides clarity to make important decisions and valuable peace of mind. Our female divorce lawyers provide holistic support, which involves teaching you the law, acting as your guide, and advocating for you in every negotiation and court hearing.

We will help you and your ex-spouse mediate where possible. Mediation can help protect important family dynamics, allows for personalized arrangements, and can often save time and money on court proceedings.

Any agreement you do arrive at will need to be approved by a Judge, and your attorney will ensure that you arrive at a settlement that protects your interests and is likely to be approved by the court.

That being said, our attorneys are litigation lawyers who are always prepared to advocate for our clients in the courtroom if necessary. If your case involves complex or high-conflict divorce matters, then we will represent you on any issue.

Our key to success is a firm grasp of the law, a comprehensive discovery process, drawing upon expert testimony, and keeping you engaged with every aspect of your case.

Domestic Violence in Indianapolis

Our dedication to women has enabled us to create a safe space where they feel heard and supported. That is perhaps why a number of women who have suffered domestic violence turn to us for help. For many of these women, working with an experienced female divorce lawyer is a necessity.

We understand how difficult it is to reach out for help, and we promise to get to work quickly and dedicate ourselves to your case.

We can advise you on how to get to a place of safety if necessary. We will file for a protection order to keep your spouse away fromv  you while we give you the guidance and support you need to make decisions from a place of clarity.

We will make sure that we have sufficient evidence so that the Judge is made aware of your experiences and considers them when making important decisions, such as those involving child custody.

Important Factors of Your Divorce Decree in Indiana

Although every divorce has its unique challenges to be overcome, there are some common factors that need to be addressed, such as:

Child Custody

When women navigating divorce have children, they are often their biggest concern. Our family law practice will ensure that the needs of children are always a priority.

The Judge is also required to make decisions based on children’s best interests, but it is up to you and your attorney to provide evidence for what that means.

Most divorces will end in some form of joint custody agreement unless there is concern over the impact one parent could have on their child’s wellbeing. Often, one parent will be the custodial parent, who the child will live with for the majority of the time, while the other is granted visitation rights.

Property Division

Property division is one of the most important factors of any divorce, as how it is handled can have a big impact on your future stability. Indiana is an equitable distribution state, where assets must be divided in a ‘just and fair way’.

Property division involves separating property into two categories:

• Separate Property – Separate property will continue to belong to each individual after their divorce has been finalized. Your separate property is the assets you owned before marriage, gifts, inheritance compensation, and anything protected by a prenuptial agreement.
• Marital Property – Marital property, also known as community property, is subject to just and fair division. It describes all assets obtained by either party while they were married. It could include real estate, vehicles, debts, savings, pensions, and stocks and bonds.

To determine what a fair division looks like in your case, important considerations could include the custody arrangement, the length of the marriage, and each spouse’s contribution and ability to earn.

If your case involves high or complex assets, or you have any concerns that your ex-spouse could be hiding assets, then it is essential you have experience from an attorney with experience in these types of cases.

At Woodford Sathappan McGee, we will take the time to learn what’s important to you so we can strive to protect it. We will gather evidence and fight for what is rightfully yours. If you made sacrifices to care for your children, then we will ensure that this is considered when dividing your assets.

Spousal Support

Spousal support is a court order that places an obligation on one spouse to pay support to the other after divorce. It is only awarded in cases where one spouse requires that support be financially secure after divorce.

Although spousal support is not awarded in every case, for some of the women we work with, it is essential. If spousal support is achievable in your case, we will advocate tirelessly on your behalf.

Child Support

It is a legal requirement in Indiana for both parents to contribute financially to their child’s upbringing. Usually, the non-custodial parent will pay child support to the other.

Temporary Orders

Divorces can take a long time to finalize, especially if your case involves child custody or other complex issues. In the meantime, it is sometimes necessary to have some guidance from a Judge.

Issues such as who stays in the marital home or where children should live can create conflict while the divorce settlement is being mediated. If necessary, your female divorce attorney will help you file for temporary orders, which will place obligations on you and your ex-spouse for a temporary period, often until the divorce is finalized.

If the Judge deems it necessary, they may issue temporary orders without you filing for them.

Post-Divorce Family Law Services in Indianapolis

Once a divorce has been finalized, you should be able to finally move forward with your life. However, sometimes issues arise, and you may once again need support from a divorce attorney.

Our law firm can help you with all post-divorce family law issues, including:

Failure to Adhere to Your Divorce Decree

If your ex-spouse is failing to meet the legal obligations set out in your divorce decree, such as missing child support payments, or visitation, then an attorney can help you take action.

The first thing your attorney will do is try to negotiate with your ex-spouse. It is important not to jump to legal action in order to protect your relationship and minimize stress.

However, if they continue to fail to meet their obligations, then your attorney can help you file contempt proceedings with the court.

Child support payments never disappear and incur interest, so your ex-spouse will eventually need to pay what they owe you.

Changing the Terms of Your Divorce Decree

Although the terms of a divorce decree place legal obligations on you and your ex-spouse, sometimes they become difficult to adhere to. When this happens, you cannot simply stop following court orders. Instead, an attorney can help you file for a modification.

In order to succeed in filing for modification, you will need to show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as illness, relocation, or job loss.

How to Find the Best Indianapolis Divorce Lawyers

Finding the right female divorce lawyer to represent your case is important. The right representation can ensure that you feel supported and that the best outcome is reached for you and your family.

Considering the far-reaching implications of your divorce decree, choosing the right representation can feel overwhelming. The best thing you can do is seek out a free consultation so that you can ask questions and make an informed decision.

Questions to Ask in a Free Consultation

1. How will I contact you, and how soon can I expect a response?
   Divorce can involve a lot of personal and complex issues so you should have direct access to your attorney, rather than working through an assistant. Your divorce lawyer should also be prompt to answer your questions. Although it is unreasonable to expect constant access, they should make you a priority.
2. What would be a good settlement in my case and how can we achieve that?
   An experienced divorce lawyer will be able to determine quickly what the important aspects of your case are and will have a strategy for how to achieve the best outcome.
3. What level of experience do you have helping people like me?
   You should be supported by a divorce lawyer who has helped people in a similar position to you before, and achieved favorable outcomes. For example, if your case involves cross-county parenting or high-value assets, then it is essential your attorney has the experience necessary to benefit your case.
4. How much of your time is dedicated to helping women navigate divorce in Indiana?
   Some attorneys will cover multiple areas of law such as personal injury and criminal defense. When you have guidance from an attorney who is dedicated just to family law then it means that they are helping people like you every day and will dedicate all of their time and energy to improving skills.
5. Can I see testimonials from previous clients?
   A good divorce lawyer should be more than happy to show you testimonials from previous clients.

A free consultation is an opportunity for you to find out about the experience of your attorney. It is also a chance for you to determine whether you feel comfortable speaking with your attorney and feel confident that you could work with them.

Indianapolis Female Divorce Lawyer FAQ