A Family Law Attorney Representing Clients With Skill And Compassion
Whether your divorce will be uncontested or highly contentious, hiring a family law attorney is one of the first steps you should take. An attorney representing you in all matters related to your divorce or child custody issues is an excellent investment in your future, your family and, ultimately, your happiness. In Indianapolis and surrounding areas, the firm to contact is Frangos Legal, LLC.
We can help you with all aspects of your family law matter, including:
- Legal separation
- Divorce (contested and uncontested)
- Spousal support (alimony)
- Parenting plans and other child custody issues
- Child support
- Modifications of court orders related to parenting plans and child support
- Enforcement of agreements
As a military combat veteran with more than 30 years of experience, our attorney is uniquely suited to help military families facing divorce or custody concerns.
Experienced Legal Guidance In Divorce Matters
Divorce is among the most complicated events in a person’s life, both emotionally and financially. The dissolution of a marriage is more than a piece of paper; it involves financial and legal disentanglement and can take months to complete. The right attorney can be all the difference.
Our founder, David C. Frangos, brings decades of experience and skill to every case. He leverages innovative legal techniques to make sure that nothing stays hidden and you’re your case puts you in a position to thrive both during and after your divorce.
How Divorce Can Fit Your Needs
For every complication and nuance in a marital relationship, there is an equally nuanced aspect of divorce. While some cases may be straight-forward, other couples require customized care and significant support throughout their divorce. Regardless of whether you believe you and your ex will agree to certain terms in your divorce, you deserve to work with an attorney who will put you first and prioritize your future.
Typically divorce begins by choosing whether you need to file for contested or uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is often preferable for a couple that wants to avoid court and that has already agreed on certain aspects of their marital dissolution. A contested divorce, by contrast, is generally more contentious and requires a judge to decide on issues like property division or alimony.
If it is possible to avoid the uncertainty and elongated trial process, Frangos Legal, LLC can support you in negotiations. If you need to go to court and contest your divorce terms through a trial, because of matters of child support, property division, or other financial or legal issues, we have the experience and knowledge to represent you fully and fiercely.
Finding Fair And Enforceable Child Support And Spousal Support Solutions
The two most-argued subjects in divorce and family law cases are children and money. Spousal support, also known as spousal maintenance or alimony, is one of the most contentious aspects of divorce because of its ties to finances. When it comes to matters of child support, both your children and finances are affected.
At Frangos Legal, LLC, we understand the importance of securing child and spousal support payments to ensure you and your children are taken care of following a divorce. Whether you are the one being asked to make payments, or you are expecting to receive money from your spouse, you can rely on us for experienced advice and guidance
Factors Considered In Child Support Calculations
In most cases, the parent who has primary custody receives payments from the other parent. However, child custody arrangements can be complex, leading to confusion about who pays who and how much they should pay. There are specific guidelines used by Indiana family courts to ensure children are properly provided for. Using a percentage of the parents’ incomes and a few other factors, the court can determine how much should be paid.
A few factors that are considered in a child support calculation include:
- The income and earning capacity of each parent
- The health care and educational needs of the child
- The existing or proposed child custody agreement
We will ensure that the court has accurate information and is able to consider all relevant factors when making support decisions in your case. Child support calculations are governed under the Indiana Rules of Court, Child Support Rules and Guidelines.
How Spousal Support/Maintenance Works In Indiana
Spousal support is a type of payment made by one spouse to another during and/or after a divorce. Spousal maintenance is intended to provide the lower-earning spouse with a similar standard of living to what they had during their marriage. Spousal support may end at the end of divorce proceedings, when the receiving spouse gets remarried, or at another time specified by a judge. In some cases, spousal support may even be awarded permanently.
The court will decide spousal support based on several factors, including:
- The age of each spouse
- The assets and liabilities of each party
- The education level of both spouses
- The health – physical and mental – of both spouses
- The income and earning capacity of each spouse
- The length of the marriage
- The retirement benefits of both parties
- The standard of living maintained during the marriage
All support decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. The court is ultimately responsible for determining whether spousal support is necessary, how much will be awarded, and the duration of the payments.
An Adoption Attorney Dedicated To Supporting Families In Indiana
Families choose to adopt for a wide variety of reasons. Adoption can be a beautiful and highly rewarding experience, but you will need to overcome numerous legal and financial hurdles before and after you bring your new family member home. With professional support, however, you can complete this process efficiently and definitively.
Our attorney possesses an in-depth, comprehensive understanding of the Indiana adoption process. We are honored to handle the legal complexities of adoption, so you can focus on what matters most: bringing your new family member home as soon as possible.
What We Can Do For Your Family
In our years of practice, we have counseled and represented many different types of families with varying adoption goals. No matter your unique situation, our team can counsel and represent you with a steadfast commitment to your rights and your child’s well-being. Every step of the way, we can explain the adoption process, assist you with all required documentation, and advocate for you in court.
Our firm can help you if:
- You are bringing a new family member into your home
- You are adopting a niece, nephew or other relative
- You are looking for the right home for your child
- You are adopting your stepchild
Stepparent adoption is one of the most common forms of adoption in the U.S. This may occur if a child’s biological parent has passed away or is no longer involved in their upbringing. If the child’s other parent remarries, the stepparent may wish to become their “official parent” and adopt their stepchild.
When a child is adopted, they have the same rights as a biological child, including rights to inheritance and parental support.
Adult Adoption In Indiana
At Frangos Legal, LLC, we have assisted countless families with adult adoptions. Fortunately, the process is fairly straightforward in our state. This is because once someone reaches the age of 18, they no longer need the consent of their biological parents to be adopted, among other reasons. We can help you through all stages of the process as well as provide advice and counsel when needed to ensure your adult adoption runs smoothly.
There are many reasons to adopt an adult, including:
- Legalizing inheritance rights so the adoptee can inherit their adopted parents’ estate without being biologically related to them
- To better provide caregiving to adults who have physical or mental health challenges
- To legally become a family after bonding during foster care or the introduction of a stepparent
- For adoptees to reunite with their birth families
- For adoptees to gain health or other benefits from their adoptive parents
- To allow an older sibling to take on the role of parent for a younger sibling
Whatever your reasons, our firm is here to help you through the process.
Terminating Parental Rights
In cases such as stepparent adoption, the biological parent’s rights must be formally terminated. This process is easiest when the biological parent agrees. It may be more challenging if the parent does not agree or cannot be found.
In either case, this can be an incredibly emotional process for everyone involved. Ultimately, the court will need to assess the situation and make a final decision. The court will generally disregard a biological parent’s desire to maintain parental rights if the parent abandoned the child or was abusive.
When a court terminates parental rights, the parent:
- No longer needs to pay child support (except for what was already owed)
- Loses the right to visit the child
- No longer has decision-making authority over the child
Our firm has the experience needed to help you navigate this complex legal terrain. We also have the compassion needed to provide empathetic support as you handle this sensitive and emotionally taxing process. When you hire us, you can trust us to take time to learn about your family and situation. Our goal is to ensure the adoption proceeding is as efficient as possible and provides the legal foundations your adopted family member needs.
Learn How We Can Help You During A Low-Cost Consultation
Frangos Legal, LLC, serves clients in and around Indianapolis. To discuss your family law needs with our experienced and caring attorney, contact us to schedule a low-cost initial consultation. You can reach out online or call 317-348-2150.