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219, 260, 574
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Marion County Indianapolis Family Law lawyers
Contact Indiana family law attorney Tony Zirkle if you have any questions about the legal implications of marriage, the advisability of a prenuptial agreement, or the validity of a marriage celebrated or registered in another state or foreign country.
Even though marriage is one of the most deeply personal relationships known to human society, it is also a legal status that carries with it both rights and responsibilities that can be enforced in court. Only death, divorce, or annulment can terminate a marriage in Indiana. At the Law Offices of Tony Zirkle, we can advise you about all aspects of the legal consequences of marriage and parenthood.
Marriage - An Overview
For centuries marriage has been viewed as the basis of the family unit. It is a voluntary, private contract between a man and a woman. Marriage is a personal commitment, but it is also a legal relationship that changes the legal status of both parties. Historically, the husband had a duty to provide food, a home, and clothing; the wife was obligated to maintain the home, raise children, and all her property became her husband's. The legal rights and obligations associated with marriage have evolved with our society and today are generally equitable between both parties. Each state has its own rules about marriage, but some uniform principles do exist. An experienced family law attorney can explain the laws that apply to you.
Annulments
Annulments of marriage are rare in today's society, but the procedure is still available if the necessary legal grounds are present. The legal theory underlying annulment is that the marriage was never valid to begin with. It basically means the marriage never existed. Marriages subject to annulment proceedings are classified as "void" or "voidable" and are sometimes called a nullified marriage.
Premarital Agreements
Although not very romantic, premarital agreements are becoming more and more common. Many people who are considering getting married wonder if they should have one of these contracts, also known as prenuptial or antenuptial agreements. People who intend or do live together may enter a similar agreement called a cohabitation agreement. Individuals who are already married or living together may chose to sign a reconciliatory agreement, which serve the same purpose. An attorney experienced in family law can explain the differences in the various types of agreements and can help draft the right one for you.
Ready or Not? Marriage Test
The success or failure of a relationship may hinge on how well the couple deals with issues such as money management, communication, conflict, parenting, in-laws, leisure time, sexuality, family of origin, spirituality, expectations, and household chores. Most couples don't talk about these issues before they get married and are surprised one or two years down the road when conflict seems more prevalent than romance.
Unmarried Couples
More and more couples live together before they marry and many live together indefinitely. Most couples accumulate a great deal of shared property but fail to consider how the property will be divided if the relationship ends. The reality is that no matter how long an unmarried relationship lasts, the law still effectively treats the couple as separate individuals with no rights or liabilities to each other if the relationship ends. Even though the couple behaves like husband and wife, unless they meet the requirements for common-law marriage, unmarried couples have no basic rights to their partner's property or to maintenance if they split up. An attorney experienced in family law can advise you on your legal rights as one half of a cohabiting couple.
Let our Marion County Indianapolis Family Law lawyers help you!
Family Law » Family Law Attorneys and Lawyers Serving Lake Co., Marion Co. and St. Joseph Co. Indiana
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317.572.7717 Bloomington
317.572.7717 Carmel
317.572.7717 Crown Point
317.572.7717 Elkhart
317.572.7717 Fort Wayne
317.572.7717 Gary
317.572.7717 Hammond
317.572.7717 Indianapolis
317.572.7717 Kokomo
317.572.7717 Merrillville
317.572.7717 Mishawaka
317.572.7717 Muster
317.572.7717 South Bend
317.572.7717 Valparaiso
317.572.7717 West Lafayette
Children of a Divorce
One of the hardest things to go through in life can be the child of a divorce. If you are getting a divorce and have children we understand the hardship that alone can cause. We try to make the changes as easy as possible for the children’s sake. Our family law attorneys and lawyers [...]
Child Support
Information from multiple sources shows that only 10% of all noncustodial fathers fit the “deadbeat dad” category: 90% of the fathers with joint custody paid the support due. Fathers with visitation rights pay 79.1%; and 44.5% of those with NO visitation rights still financially support their children. (Source: Census Bureau report. Series P-23, No. 173). [...]
Divorce Rate
The divorce rate in 2005 (per 1,000 people) was 3.6 — the lowest rate since 1970, and down from 4.2 in 2000 and from 4.7 in 1990. (The peak was at 5.3 in 1981, according to the Associated Press.)
Indiana Divorce Custody Family Law
Indiana Divorce Custody Family Law