Experienced Legal Guidance For You And Your Family

Merrillville Divorce And Family Law Attorneys

Divorce is a time of stress and turmoil. During this difficult period, you need guidance from an experienced attorney because the decisions you make now will affect your life for many years to come.

Robert A. Plantz has more than 25 years of experience, practicing in the areas of divorce and family law, personal injury, real estate and other areas. During that time, he has earned a reputation throughout northwest Indiana for his trial advocacy abilities. He is also a highly skilled negotiator.

Since 2020, Alexander Ian Moffett has been practicing law at Robert A. Plantz & Associates, LLC. He represents people in divorce and related matters. He also works diligently to achieve solutions that successfully enable his clients to transition to life after divorce. More than half of his work revolves around family law, and he is committed to helping you aggressively pursue the goals and outcomes you want out of your divorce.

Do You Have To Hire The First Family Law Attorney You Meet With?

No, you don’t have to. You can meet with different family law attorneys to see whether they fit your needs. When choosing a family law attorney, it’s important to consider:

Their level of experience in handling family law cases
How they approach the different aspects of divorce cases
If they have a strong and successful track record
If you feel comfortable in their presence
How professional they are in addressing and handling your specific issues
How responsive they are to your calls, text messages and emails

When you work with us, you can have peace of mind knowing you have a dedicated and experienced divorce advocate. Contact us today to discover how we can help you navigate divorce.

How Can We Serve You?

When our firm represents you, attorneys Robert A. Plantz and Alexander Ian Moffett will take time to understand you, your family and your goals. He will then develop a plan designed to achieve your divorce promptly and efficiently while protecting your rights at all times. You can be assured of receiving guidance based on years of experience, including the best ways to manage your social media presence during your divorce.

We represent clients in all aspects of marital dissolution, including:

Contact our firm for a free initial consultation*.

What Is The Process For Filing For Divorce In Indiana?

Here is a breakdown of the steps involved:

Filing a petition: The first step in filing a divorce in Indiana is submitting a dissolution of marriage petition to the court. Working with an attorney at this step is crucial because you want to ensure your petition includes all the information necessary to move forward.
Serving your spouse: This step involves more than just handing your spouse the papers. In most cases, you must send the divorce papers through the mail or deliver them through a process server to ensure that your spouse is served properly. You can avoid potential legal issues with an Indiana family law court.
Disclosing finances: If your situation requires court intervention, it’s important that you transparently disclose your financial situation with the court. This can include disclosing any records of assets, debts, monthly income and expenses.
Waiting for a response: Typically, your spouse must respond to the petition within 20 days or one month of receiving it. If they don’t respond within that period, Indiana courts may consider it to be a default judgment.
Negotiations: The negotiation step in the divorce process typically involves property division, child custody/parenting time, and child and spousal support determinations. Spouses can choose to engage in mediation or take matters to court if necessary.

We are here to help you with the divorce process and provide sound advice and guidance at every step. To learn more about how we can support you, call us at 219-561-0263.

How Are Uncontested And Contested Divorces Different?

Here is a breakdown of what sets them apart:

Uncontested divorce: This is when both parties fully agree with the terms and conditions of their divorce. These types of divorces are typically less expensive, don’t always require going to court and are easy to finalize. In many cases, uncontested divorces can last only a few months.
Contested divorce: Spouses become involved in a contested divorce when they can’t agree on the details of their divorce. When spouses engage in an uncontested divorce, they often need the court to intervene and help finalize the terms and conditions of their split.

A divorce can start out uncontested and then become contested or vice versa. No matter whether you are engaging in a contested or uncontested divorce, we are here to provide you with the advocacy you need. We can offer sound legal advice throughout your divorce proceedings.

How Long Does A Divorce Take In Indiana?

Indiana does not require you and your spouse to live apart before filing for divorce. However, once you file the divorce, you must live apart and wait at least 60 days before the court will grant your divorce. Thereafter, how long your divorce takes depends on several factors, including whether you can reach an agreement outside of court.

Should I Stay In The House Until The Divorce Is Finalized?

Indiana law does require you and your spouse to live separately, but circumstances may require you to remain in your home until the court finalizes your divorce. You will need to provide the court with substantial proof that the two of you lived separately, even under the same roof.

Experience For All Your Family Law Needs

Robert A. Plantz & Associates, LLC, has experience in divorce cases involving high-asset couples, dual-income couples and complex property division issues. Our attorneys will use his knowledge and skills to protect your assets and achieve a fair property settlement. If necessary, he will be prepared to pursue your case in court vigorously.

Attorney Robert A. Plantz and his experienced staff can also answer your questions and provide advice and representation regarding these issues:

Paternity and legitimation
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Domestic violence
Issues involving unmarried couples
Guardianships
Estate planning, wills and trusts
Other matters related to your family

You can depend on attorney Robert A. Plantz and Alexander Ian Moffett for sound advice, efficient services and vigorous representation.

Why Hire A Merrillville Divorce Lawyer From Robert A. Plantz & Associates, LLC?

When you are going through a divorce, you have a lot of important decisions to make about how to divide assets, how you will split time with the kids, and which spouse will be paying or receiving alimony or child support. It’s important you have someone in your corner who fully understands your issues and can effectively advocate for your interests during the process. Alexander Ian Moffett, our main divorce attorney at Robert A. Plantz & Associates, LLC, can help you understand how your situation applies to Indiana divorce laws and tenaciously advocate for your needs. When you hire Alexander as your divorce advocate, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have a lawyer who:

Brings diverse experience to the table
Can provide your case with the care, attention and dedication it deserves
Has a strong track record of results
Offers free initial consultations
Brings a welcoming, comforting and tailored legal approach to every case he handles

Learn more about how we can help you by calling us at 219-561-0263.

Reach Out For Knowledgeable Support

Contact our firm at 219-561-0263 for a free initial consultation* about a family law matter. From our offices in Merrillville, we serve clients throughout northwest Indiana.