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Personable Lawyers For Life's Challenges

Indianapolis Family Law Attorneys

Last updated on July 17, 2026

The fear of losing the future you imagined for your family is something no one should face alone. You deserve a legal team that understands what is truly at stake and fights to protect it. When you are looking for an Indianapolis family law attorney, you want someone who is both a litigator and a negotiator. If negotiations fail to yield the results you need, we can represent you in mediation or at trial.

At Hocker Law, LLC, we have successfully negotiated, mediated and litigated family law cases for more than 30 years. Indiana family law attorney Rachel A. East has extensive combined experience working with family law clients and helping them find solutions. Attorney John Arak also brings focused family law experience to our team, including divorce proceedings and custody matters.

Family law clients throughout Indiana routinely rely on us. Rachel is also a skilled mediator; however, mediation requires a separate and objective role. Therefore, she cannot serve as your divorce or family law mediator if you have told her all the details of your case.

Based in Indianapolis, we serve families across central Indiana navigate this new chapter of their lives.

What Is Family Law?

Family law is the legal framework that governs your most personal relationships and the decisions that shape your family’s future. It covers a broad range of matters, from divorce to child custody, guardianship and prenuptial agreements. If you are facing a divorce, a custody dispute or a change in your family structure, you are beginning a new chapter. Because family law varies by state, working with an Indiana attorney who understands current law matters.

At Hocker Law, LLC, we know legal and emotional challenges often arrive at the same time. Founded in 1993, we have served Indiana families for over 30 years, and we put that depth of experience to work for you by building a legal strategy tailored to your specific goals and providing skilled courtroom advocacy when your case calls for it.

What Are The Common Family Law Cases Handled By Hocker Law, LLC?

No two family situations are alike. This is why our Indiana family law attorneys handle a wide range of family law matters, including:

Whatever your situation, we are ready to help.

How The Family Law Process Works In Indiana

Not knowing what comes next in a family legal matter can feel just as stressful as the matter itself. Understanding how Indiana’s process works gives you a clearer picture of what to expect. We are here to walk you through every step, as Indiana has specific laws and procedures that govern family law cases. You can find these rules in Indiana Code Title 31, which Indiana recognizes collectively as “Family Law and Juvenile Law.”

For most cases, the process begins when a party files a petition or motion with the appropriate court. Many of these filings go to the county circuit or superior civil division courts. After filing, the court requires that official documents reach the other party in person, confirming they have proper notice of the legal action.

From there, most cases move to an initial court hearing. Before or after that hearing, both sides enter the discovery stage, where they share relevant information under court oversight. We guide you through this stage with care and make sure your interests stay protected at every turn. Many cases then move to mediation, where both parties work toward a settlement they can accept. If mediation does not resolve all issues, a judge decides the remaining matters at a final hearing and that decision is legally binding for all parties involved.

Whatever the nature of your legal matter, it is important that you have an experienced Indianapolis family law attorney familiar with Indiana’s unique legal system, making sure your case receives the full attention it deserves.

A Holistic Approach To Divorce And Family Law

We understand the stress divorce and other family law matters can create for people. That’s why we will work hard to guide you through this difficult time with courtesy and professionalism.

We take a holistic approach, which means no important detail will be overlooked in a divorce case or other family law matter. We address child custody, visitation, parenting time, child support, spousal support, property division and other matters commonly associated with divorce.

Put your trust in a law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us and schedule a free consultation. Call us at 317-743-9722 and make a fresh start.

Divorce

Divorce raises real fears about your finances, your home and your children. Our attorneys at Hocker Law, LLC, build a focused strategy around your specific goals.

Indiana follows a no-fault divorce standard based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The state requires a 60-day waiting period after filing. Courts presume an equal division of marital property. A judge may adjust that division based on the length of the marriage, each spouse’s finances and each party’s contributions to the marital estate. Cases involving children also address custody, parenting time and child support.

Child Custody And Parenting Time

The fear of losing time with your child is one of the hardest parts of a family legal matter. Our attorneys at Hocker Law, LLC, work to protect that relationship at every stage.

Indiana recognizes two forms of custody: legal and physical. Legal custody covers major decisions about a child’s education, health and upbringing. Physical custody determines where the child lives. Courts base all decisions on the best interests of the child. Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines set a scheduling framework for each parent. Under those guidelines, “parenting time” is the legally recognized term for biological and adoptive parents. Indiana generally reserves “visitation” for nonparents.

Child Support

Financial uncertainty can add stress to an already difficult situation, but our attorneys at Hocker Law, LLC, help you understand how Indiana calculates child support and work to ensure any order reflects your family’s actual circumstances.

Indiana uses an income shares model to calculate child support, which considers both parents’ gross incomes, health insurance costs, childcare expenses and each parent’s parenting time. Both parents carry a legal obligation to support their children regardless of the custody arrangement. Either parent may petition for a modification if there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances.

Guardian Ad Litem

When a child’s safety sits at the center of a legal dispute, that child needs a dedicated voice in court. Rachel serves as a guardian ad litem in Indianapolis. She holds licenses in both Florida and Indiana, and can provide interstate guardian ad litem services between the two states.

A guardian ad litem, or GAL, is a court-appointed representative focused solely on a child’s best interests. A GAL investigates the child’s situation, interviews key people in the child’s life and presents findings and recommendations directly to the judge. Courts appoint a GAL when a child’s safety, stability or well-being may face serious risk.

Prenuptial Agreements

Bringing up a prenuptial agreement with your partner can feel like a difficult conversation to start, even when your intentions come from a place of care and protection. An attorney can help both of you approach the process honestly and fairly, with a focus on protecting what each of you has worked hard to build.

Many couples create a prenuptial agreement before getting married. Indiana often refers to these as “premarital agreements.” These contracts define who owns certain property and whether that property will be jointly owned or remain separate for each spouse.

A prenuptial agreement is not only about preparing for divorce but also serves as a practical tool for defining each spouse’s rights and responsibilities during the marriage. Both parties must sign a premarital agreement for it to be valid in Indiana. If you and your spouse did not create a prenuptial agreement before your wedding, a postnuptial agreement offers a way to address those same concerns after marriage. Indiana courts recognize postnuptial agreements as enforceable contracts between spouses, provided both parties enter into the agreement voluntarily and with full financial disclosure.

You can find Indiana’s premarital agreement laws in Indiana Code, Title 31, Article 11, Chapter 3, Section 31-11-3-1, which was enacted in 1995 under the official name of the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act. This 10-part law defines what a premarital agreement can and cannot cover.

Paternity

When a child’s legal parentage is in question, that uncertainty can weigh heavily on everyone involved. Establishing paternity protects your child’s access to parental rights and financial support, and our attorneys can help you work through the process with confidence.

If a couple is not married, both parents must legally establish paternity through a paternity affidavit or a court order. A paternity affidavit is a sworn legal document that both parents sign to declare the man as the biological father, and a parent can complete this form at the hospital shortly after birth or later at the local health department. This process legally establishes fatherhood and parental rights without requiring a court hearing.

If neither parent uses an affidavit, a judge must establish paternity through a court order. Either parent or the county child support office can file a court action to start that process. Our Indianapolis family law attorneys assist both mothers and fathers by preparing and filing all necessary paperwork, requesting genetic (DNA) testing if needed and defending your rights during court hearings. Once paternity is established, we help with matters like child custody, parenting time and child support.

Guardianship

When someone you love can no longer care for themselves, the desire to protect them can feel both urgent and overwhelming. Establishing a legal guardianship gives you the authority to act on their behalf and ensures the law formally recognizes your role in their life.

Guardianship is a legal arrangement that grants a person the right to care for a minor under 18 or an incapacitated or disabled adult. Indiana Code Title 29, Probate § 29-3-5-1 outlines the state’s rules and regulations governing guardianships in Indiana.

The process begins when someone files a Petition for Guardianship with the court that has jurisdiction over the case. In the petition, the applicant must specify what they are seeking control over. In many cases, a petition seeks control over a person, who the court will then legally define as a “ward” or “protected person,” and may also seek control over that person’s estate. For petitions involving an incapacitated adult, the court requires a doctor’s assessment confirming that the ward cannot make decisions related to their finances, health or well-being. Other rules and regulations also apply.

If a judge approves the petition, the guardian must complete an inventory of the ward’s property within 90 days. Indiana law also requires the guardian to report to the court every two years on the ward’s health and well-being. These cases can be complex, and having an attorney who understands Indiana’s guardianship rules can make a meaningful difference in your outcome. We encourage you to contact our team as early as possible.

Collaborative Law

Ending a marriage does not have to mean entering an adversarial legal process. Collaborative law offers a path forward built on communication and mutual respect, and our attorneys can help you pursue a resolution that works for your whole family.

This process allows couples to work through their divorce, separation, or pre- or postmarital agreements in a nonadversarial environment. The collaborative process begins when both parties sign a participation agreement. This agreement binds each party to the process and states that neither party’s attorney can represent them in future family-related litigation. Collaborative divorces and separations tend to be less costly and more flexible than traditional litigated divorces. Neutral financial advisers and child specialists can also join the process to help both parties reach the best possible outcome.

Because Indiana has not adopted the Uniform Collaborative Law Act, the collaborative process relies on the terms of the private participation agreement and the specific rules of each local county court. Our attorneys understand these local rules and can structure your agreement to protect your interests throughout.

For many couples, collaborative divorce creates a better opportunity for communication, forgiveness and healing than a litigated or even mediated divorce. Our attorneys can guide you through every stage of the process.

Family Law Mediation

Feeling like you have little say in the outcome of your legal matter is one of the hardest parts of going through this process. Mediation for your family law matter puts decision-making power back in your hands by allowing you and the other party to shape your own resolution with the support of a trained, neutral professional.

Mediation is a process designed to resolve disputes outside of a courtroom. At the center of this process is the mediator, a neutral third party who facilitates productive dialogue between you and the other side. The mediator does not act as a judge or impose a decision. Instead, the mediator works to help both parties reach their own agreement. The mediator helps identify core issues, bridges communication gaps and explores creative settlements that a court might not offer. This approach saves significant time and expense, and produces a resolution that both parties voluntarily accept.

Do You Have To Appear In Court For Your Indiana Family Law Matter?

Not necessarily. Many family law matters resolve through negotiation or mediation, which means you may never need to set foot in a courtroom. The path your case takes depends on the issues involved and whether both parties can reach an agreement outside of court.

At Hocker Law, LLC, we prepare every case with both outcomes in mind. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who work hard to reach favorable resolutions efficiently. When a case does require court, our proven litigators stand ready to advocate fully for you in front of a judge.

Is Everything You Share With An Indianapolis Family Lawyer During An Initial Consultation Confidential?

Yes. Indiana’s attorney-client privilege protects everything you share with a family law attorney during your initial consultation. That protection applies from your very first conversation, so you can speak openly without concern.

At Hocker Law, LLC, we take that trust seriously. Our attorneys have served Indiana families for over 30 years, with over 95 years of combined legal experience, guiding every case we take on. We use what you share to build a strategy focused entirely on your goals and your family’s future.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Our Indianapolis Family Law Attorney

If you are facing a divorce, custody dispute or property division in Marion County, you can rely on our experience to guide you. Our team is ready to help you take control of your future through skilled legal advocacy. Contact us today at 317-743-9722 or email us to schedule your free consultation with our Indianapolis family law attorney.