Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C. FindLaw IM Template2026-07-16T06:12:33Zhttps://www.randsfamilylaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1603533/2022/05/cropped-3693238_OG-Image_512x512-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[Out-of-state summer travel: navigating Indiana custody rules]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=517452026-05-27T16:43:09Z2026-05-27T16:43:09ZThe mandatory rules of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (IPTG)
Summer custody in Indiana is governed by a strict set of state rules known as the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. These guidelines set exact deadlines that parents must follow to secure extended vacation time.
The April 1st notice deadline: Under the IPTG, the non-custodial parent must provide written notice to the custodial parent by April 1st of each year specifying which weeks they want for summer vacation. If they miss this date, the custodial parent gets priority choice.
The emergency itinerary requirement: Whenever a child travels out of the local area, the traveling parent is legally required to provide a detailed itinerary. This must include travel dates, flight numbers, destinations, and emergency contact numbers.
Unilateral travel violations: Taking a child out of Indiana without proper notice or in violation of your custody order can be viewed by a judge as contempt of court, which can negatively impact your long-term custody standing.
Adhering to the strict notification timelines in the IPTG is the only way to protect your summer travel plans from an emergency block by the other parent.
Resolving passport and out-of-state travel disputes
One of the most common summer roadblocks occurs when a co-parent refuses to cooperate with out-of-state or international travel logistics out of spite.
Passport withholding: Federal law requires both parents to sign a passport application for a minor. If your ex refuses to sign or withholds an existing passport, you must file a motion to compel in an Indiana family court to secure a judge's signature.
Mediation before litigation: Unless there is a true emergency, Indiana judges prefer that parents attempt to resolve vacation scheduling conflicts through a parenting coordinator or formal mediation before filing domestic relations lawsuits.
The line between vacation and relocation: If a summer trip is extensively long, you must ensure it does not cross into a legal relocation dispute, which requires formal court filing before changing a child's residence.
Securing a court order to compel passport cooperation takes several weeks, making early legal intervention essential for protecting your airline investments.
Protecting your summer plans legally
Waiting until the week of your flight to address an uncooperative co-parent is a high-risk gamble that can leave your children stranded. Reviewing your rights regarding child custody and parenting time allows you to establish a clear, legally backed framework before you pack your bags.
If your ex is actively violating your summer schedule or withholding travel documents in the Indianapolis area, scheduling a consultation with a family law attorney is the safest step forward. Taking a firm, proactive stance ensures your children can enjoy their vacation without being caught in the middle of a legal standoff.]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[Second marriage, first prenup?]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=517442026-05-20T21:43:16Z2026-05-20T21:43:16ZFocusing on your new financial picture
Whether you've accumulated substantial wealth or built a modest nest egg, your second marriage brings different financial considerations than your first. When you've already been through a divorce, you understand how complex property division can become. Add in inheritances, assets you're protecting for children from a previous relationship or property settlement proceeds from your first marriage, and the financial picture gets even more complicated.
Indiana's "whole pot" approach to property division means courts consider all assets when dividing marital property, even those you brought into the marriage. Without a prenuptial agreement, assets you acquired before saying "I do" could become subject to equitable division in a divorce.
What second-marriage prenups can address
A well-drafted prenuptial agreement can protect the financial foundation you've already established. Common provisions include:
Retirement accounts you've contributed to throughout your career
Business interests or professional practices you built before remarrying
Real estate purchased before the marriage, including your primary residence
Expected inheritances from aging parents
Investment portfolios and savings accounts in your name
Family heirlooms with sentimental or monetary value
These agreements establish critical framework for dividing assets and liabilities, should the marriage end. They also protect your new spouse from assumptions and provide financial clarity for both parties.
Your kids are counting on you
If you have children from your first marriage, being proactive about protecting their future is crucial. A prenuptial agreement gives them something priceless: assurance. When they know certain assets are protected for them, whether that includes the family home, specific investments or funds set aside for their future, it eliminates anxiety about their security.
Planning ahead isn't pessimistic
While it might seem to some that entering a second marriage with a prenuptial agreement is pessimistic, in truth, it is realistic. You've learned from experience that even with the best intentions and strongest commitments, a marriage can still end. A prenup demonstrates maturity and a commitment to those you love, including your new partner.]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[Making college choices and covering costs when sharing custody]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=517402026-04-28T21:37:42Z2026-04-28T21:37:42ZWho makes the major college decisions?
A young adult enrolling in college is typically already 18 by the time they begin full-time post-secondary education. As such, they have total control over where they enroll. Their parents can potentially discuss their options with them and influence their choice. For example, encouraging a young adult who does not yet have a major in mind to attend community college before enrolling at a four-year school could be a cost-saving solution that does not derail their long-term plans.
Especially in scenarios where a young adult immediately intends to enter a four-year program at a college or university, parents may need to discuss the financial obligations of college. Indiana does establish support orders for young adults attending college.
These post-secondary support orders are somewhat different from traditional child support. They are less enforceable, which means that a cooperative agreement between the parents is often a better solution than litigating in pursuit of an order to help cover college costs.
Parents can reach an arrangement that is appropriate given the overall expenses the young adult might incur and the income of both parents. An agreed-upon arrangement in writing can provide financial clarity for the family and may limit opportunities for disputes about college costs in the future.
Parents concerned about paying for a young adult’s college education after a divorce may need assistance from an attorney familiar with Indiana's child support rules. Sharing financial responsibilities for a college student is often the most practical and ethical solution for parents who share custody of a teenager with college ambitions.]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[Deferred compensation may complicate property division matters]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=517352026-04-09T11:43:49Z2026-04-14T11:43:11ZValuing deferred compensation is difficult
Establishing the fair market value of marital resources becomes more challenging as the marital estate grows in size and complexity. Deferred compensation may include performance-based bonuses or stock options for companies that have not yet had an IPO.
As such, spouses may find it difficult to accurately predict what deferred compensation is truly worth. Additionally, finding reasonable ways to balance the value of that deferred compensation with other property can also prove challenging. Spouses obviously cannot divide pay or stock options that one spouse has yet to receive from their employer, which means that alternate arrangements are necessary to integrate deferred compensation into a property division settlement.
Identifying resources that can cause property division disputes and valuation disagreements early on can lead to a smoother overall process. Spouses preparing for high-asset Indiana divorces may need assistance pursuing a fair outcome, and that’s okay. Speaking with a skilled legal team is a good way to get started.]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[Can quitting a job justify reducing spousal maintenance?]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=517232026-03-26T13:28:03Z2026-03-31T13:24:38ZEarning potential, not just income, influences maintenance
Many people with financial support obligations after divorce resent those responsibilities. Some people go so far as to quit well-paid jobs simply to avoid or minimize child support and spousal maintenance obligations.
Such practices are common enough to affect how the family courts handle maintenance and child support. In scenarios where one party appears to have intentionally reduced their own income to avoid or reduce maintenance obligations, the courts may consider their earning potential, not just their current income.
Claims of intentionally quitting a job or becoming underemployed can influence the courts when they decide how much maintenance one spouse should pay, the duration of the order or whether a modification is appropriate. If the paying spouse quits their job or otherwise reduces their income voluntarily, they may end up owing arrears instead of successfully reducing what they must pay.
Analyzing prior financial records with a skilled legal team can help those pursuing spousal maintenance or responding to a maintenance request. In some cases, changes in financial circumstances can influence the terms of an order granted by the courts.]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[Two things parents need to know about summer vacations after divorce]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=517272026-03-24T22:10:47Z2026-03-24T22:10:47Z is quickly approaching. Many parents use this time of year to take vacations and make lasting memories with their children. This can involve exposing their children to new cultures or sharing activities like fishing or snorkeling. In preparation for these trips, many parents are starting to map road trips, book flights, and coordinate time off work. After a divorce, travel is still possible, but planning requires extra legal steps. The parenting plan, court orders, and any standing agreements will dictate timing, consent, notice, and document requirements. Including this as part of vacation preparations can help to reduce the risk of last-minute conflict that can disrupt the trip.
Tips for domestic travel
Most parenting plans address domestic travel through notice provisions, itinerary sharing, emergency contact rules and limits on travel during the other parent’s parenting time. Even when a plan feels flexible, a parent who unilaterally changes dates or withholds details can trigger enforcement actions, makeup time or findings of contempt.This checklist frames common domestic travel terms found in parenting plans, plus practical steps for compliance.
Provide written notice within the timeline required by the plan
Share itinerary, lodging address, transportation details, and reachable phone numbers
Confirm exchange locations, departure times, and return times in writing
Maintain communication access for the other parent as ordered
Avoid out-of-state relocation implications through extended stays
Follow these steps with a neutral tone in writing. Use email or a co-parenting application for a clear record. If the other parent objects, check the plan for dispute-resolution requirements such as mediation before court.
Special considerations for travel abroad
International travel with children raises higher legal risk because children can become difficult to return if a dispute escalates. In addition to government requirements, many parenting plans require advance written consent, specific destinations, passport controls and a requirement to provide travel documents to the non-traveling parent.The following items can help to reduce border delays and limit allegations of wrongful removal.
Confirm passport possession, renewal timing, and signature requirements
Obtain a notarized travel consent letter if required by the plan or destination country
Carry a certified copy of the parenting plan or custody order
Provide flight details, lodging details, and a full contact schedule
Review country-specific entry rules for minors traveling with one parent
It is wise to complete document gathering weeks ahead of the planned trip. If the other parent refuses consent without a plan-based reason, consult counsel promptly. If legal action is necessary, a court may set travel terms, adjust dates or issue an order authorizing international travel.It is still possible to have a fun family trip with children after a divorce. Parents can increase the likelihood by making sure to adhere to the parenting plan, provide early notice, complete documentation and provide clear written communication. With preparation, the trip can run smoothly and children return with core memories rather than court dates.]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[1 reason a military divorce can take longer]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=517012026-03-12T12:19:15Z2026-03-17T12:18:40ZThe length of a divorce depends on many different factors. For instance, an amicable divorce where the couple works together to determine how they want to split up custody of their children or possession of their marital assets is often faster than a contested divorce, where the case needs to go to court.
One key detail to consider, however, is if one spouse is in the military. This can create some significant delays, especially if that service member is deployed or stationed overseas.
A 90-day delay
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, many service members are automatically entitled to a delay when facing civil cases. This includes divorce cases, foreclosures and similar legal matters.If the service member can show that they are not able to participate adequately in the legal process, they can then get a 90-day delay. Additionally, they can request another 90-day delay, for a total of 180 days, which can be approved by a judge.The reasoning behind these delays is that someone who is stationed overseas or deployed to a combat zone cannot realistically meet with their legal team, gather appropriate documentation, attend court hearings or even respond to a divorce petition in a timely manner. They deserve a chance to be involved in the legal divorce process, so these delays are applied until they can return home and address the divorce with all of the time for preparation and participation that they need.
Navigating a complicated divorce
This can certainly complicate the divorce process and make it take much longer. Those who are filing for divorce while one spouse is a member of the military must be well aware of all of their legal rights and the exact steps they need to take at this time.
]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[What constitutes a double dip when business owners divorce?]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=516992026-02-26T06:48:41Z2026-03-03T06:48:09ZWhat is a double dip?
A double dip occurs in cases where one spouse attempts to count the same income or asset more than once when requesting certain property or financial support during a divorce. Business owners and people who run professional practices are at increased risk of a double dip.
Their spouses may include future company revenue in the business valuation process for property division. They may then also try to leverage that same future revenue when they request spousal maintenance.
People can avoid this unfair arrangement where one spouse must account for the same future income twice by choosing business valuation methods that do not factor in future revenue. A proper business valuation and an uncontested settlement can both be important for those hoping to preserve their business holdings in an Indiana divorce.
Learning more about the potential challenges and pitfalls of Indiana divorce proceedings can be beneficial for those facing a high-asset divorce. Business owners and their spouses often require guidance when determining what is fair and reasonable for the purposes of both future financial support and property division, and that’s okay.]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[Can you relocate with your children after divorce?]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=516972026-02-12T09:12:41Z2026-02-17T09:11:44ZWhen you get divorced, it may really signify a new stage in your life. Many people choose this time to relocate, seeking a fresh start. Maybe you only moved to Indiana because you married your spouse, for example, and you would like to move somewhere else now that your marriage has ended.
If you and your former spouse do not have children, this is a simple process. But if you do, things can get much more complicated because you have to consider the child custody rights that you and your ex share.
Modifying the custody order
One potential issue is that the court has issued a physical child custody order splitting custody between you and your former spouse. Say that you use a 2-3-2 schedule, for example, where your children live with your ex for two days, with you for three days, and then with your ex for the last two days of the week.A minor relocation probably will not interfere with this, such as moving to a new house or a nearby town. But a major relocation, such as moving out of state, could make it impossible for your ex to see the children on the schedule.As such, before you move, it is very important for you to request a modification of that child custody order. You need to ask the court to change the order so that you do not violate your ex’s custody rights. They may ask you for good-faith reasons why you want to move. It is very important to seek the modification first rather than simply moving with your children in a way that would violate the order.
Your legal options
Conflicts over child custody rights are fairly common after a divorce. It is very important to understand how to adhere to the standing custody order, what legal rights you have and what steps you will need to take at this time.]]>On Behalf of Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.<![CDATA[Addressing home equity when one spouse keeps the house]]>https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/?p=516952026-01-29T11:00:13Z2026-02-03T10:59:33ZBy liquidating the home
In some cases, the simplest solution is to sell the property and divide the sale proceeds. Spouses can agree to a specific split of the revenue generated from the sale of the home after a divorce.
By refinancing
Frequently, especially if there are minor children in the family, one spouse may retain the marital home. In that situation, the spouse who is staying likely needs to refinance the mortgage. They then have the option of withdrawing equity to compensate the spouse leaving the home.
By using other property
Occasionally, one spouse keeps the home and may not be able to withdraw equity due to credit limitations. Other times, there may not be a mortgage to refinance, as the spouses have paid off the loan in full. In such cases, the allocation of other marital property or shared debts can help balance the retention of home equity.
Spouses typically have the option of advocating for whatever terms they feel are fair and appropriate if they can work together. Otherwise, they must litigate, and a judge decides what is reasonable. Having guidance while evaluating different solutions for home equity can make the division of marital property less stressful during an Indiana divorce.]]>