Maybe you've just been served, your spouse cleared out the bank account, or you're terrified about who keeps the kids. In Indiana, the rules are not what you'd guess: every divorce takes at least 60 days, the court can put your premarital house and your inheritance on the table, and alimony is rare and short. Before you sign anything or miss a deadline, get the facts. Call 1-844-690-0555 now for a free, 24/7 conversation with an AI legal assistant trained on Indiana and federal family law. It's free legal information, not legal advice — and it can tell you your next move in minutes.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Indiana.
Right now, do three things. First, if you're in danger, call 911 — then ask the court for an ex parte protective order under IC 34-26-5, which a judge can grant the same day without notice to the other person. Second, do NOT empty accounts, hide assets, or move the kids out of state; in Indiana that 'dissipation' can be used to swing the property split against you. Third, write down two dates: how long you've lived in Indiana (you need 6 months in-state and 3 months in your county to file) and your child's birthday (the right to ask for college costs disappears at age 19). Then call 1-844-690-0555 — free, 24/7 — and the AI assistant will walk you through which Indiana filing fits your situation. No income test, no web form.
Most people brace for a fast, brutal divorce. Indiana does the opposite — and the opposite trap. Under IC 31-15-2-10, no divorce can be final for at least 60 days from the date you file, and it's non-waivable: even if you and your spouse agree on everything, a judge cannot speed it up. Then comes the part nobody warns you about. Indiana is a 'one-pot' state (IC 31-15-7-4) — the court can divide property you owned before the marriage, money you inherited, even gifts. Your grandmother's house can land on the negotiating table. The starting point is a 50/50 split, but it's rebuttable with the right evidence. Before you assume what's 'yours' is safe, call 1-844-690-0555 for free information, then book an Indiana attorney.
If money is tight, Indiana has real, free and low-cost help for divorce, custody, child support and protective orders. These are independent organizations — separate from Legal Hotline — and many have income limits. Start with the free call to figure out which fits, then reach out.
How long does a divorce take in Indiana?
At least 60 days, no matter what. IC 31-15-2-10 sets a non-waivable 60-day minimum from the filing date before a judge can finalize anything — even a fully agreed, uncontested divorce. Contested cases with custody or property fights commonly run 6 to 18 months. To understand the timeline for your specific situation, call 1-844-690-0555 for free, 24/7 information.
Is Indiana a community property state?
No. Indiana is an equitable-distribution state, but with a twist: under IC 31-15-7-4 it's a 'one-pot' state, meaning the court can divide ALL property — including what you owned before marriage, inheritances and gifts. It starts from a 50/50 presumption (IC 31-15-7-5) that you can rebut with evidence. Before you assume anything is 'yours,' call 1-844-690-0555 to get the facts for free.
Do I have to prove my spouse did something wrong to get divorced in Indiana?
No. Indiana is a no-fault state. Under IC 31-15-2-3 nearly every divorce uses 'irretrievable breakdown of the marriage' — you simply allege the marriage is broken, with no need to prove adultery, cruelty or abandonment. Misconduct rarely affects the grounds, though dissipation of marital assets can affect the property split. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on how to file.
Does Indiana have alimony?
Only in a narrow form called spousal maintenance (IC 31-15-7-2). There are three types — incapacity, caregiver, and rehabilitative — and rehabilitative maintenance is hard-capped at 3 years from the decree. Indiana has no permanent, lifetime alimony, and many divorces involve none at all. To learn whether maintenance might apply to you, call 1-844-690-0555, free and 24/7.
How is child custody decided in Indiana?
Under IC 31-17-2-8, custody turns entirely on the best interests of the child, with no presumption favoring the mother or the father. The court weighs the child's age and sex, the parents' and child's wishes (the child's wishes count more at 14+), the child's adjustment to home, school and community, everyone's mental and physical health, and any evidence of domestic violence. For plain-English help understanding the factors in your case, call 1-844-690-0555.
How do I get a protective order in Indiana?
You petition under the Indiana Civil Protection Order Act (IC 34-26-5) at your county court, often with the help of free self-help forms. A judge can grant an ex parte order the same day without notice to the other person, with a hearing set if they request one. Orders typically last 2 years and can include no-contact, removal from a shared home, and firearm restrictions. If you're in danger, call 911 first — then call 1-844-690-0555 for free information.
What happens if someone violates my protective order in Indiana?
Violating a protective or no-contact order is the crime of invasion of privacy under IC 35-46-1-15.1 — a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine, elevated to a Level 6 felony (6 months to 2.5 years) if the person has a qualifying prior conviction. Report a violation to police immediately, then call 1-844-690-0555 to understand your options and next steps for free.
When does child support end in Indiana?
Child support generally ends at age 19, Indiana's statutory emancipation age (IC 31-16-6-6). Crucially, if you want the other parent to help pay for college, you must file that petition BEFORE your child turns 19 — miss it and the right is permanently lost. Don't let that deadline slip; call 1-844-690-0555 for free, 24/7 information on protecting it.
How long do I have to live in Indiana before I can file for divorce?
Under IC 31-15-2-6, one spouse must have lived in Indiana for at least 6 months and in the filing county for at least 3 months immediately before filing. File before you meet that clock and the court will dismiss your petition. To confirm where and when you can file, call 1-844-690-0555 for free information.
Can the court really divide my inheritance or my house from before the marriage?
In Indiana, yes — that's the 'one-pot' rule (IC 31-15-7-4). Unlike many states that protect separate property, Indiana puts premarital assets, inheritances and gifts into the marital estate, where they can be divided. The 50/50 starting point is rebuttable, so the right evidence about who brought in what can matter a lot. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand how this affects you, for free.
We connect Hoosiers facing divorce, custody, support and protective-order matters with vetted Indiana-licensed family law attorneys. If you practice family law in Indiana and want to receive referrals from clients who have already had their situation triaged, we'd like to talk. Apply to join the network and we'll be in touch about how referrals work in your county.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
The 60-day clock, the one-pot split, the age-19 college deadline, the same-day protective order — Indiana's rules are full of traps that cost people money, time and custody. You don't have to figure them out alone, and you don't have to pay to start. Call 1-844-690-0555 right now — free, 24/7, no income test, no web form — and an AI assistant trained on Indiana and federal family law will tell you your next move in minutes. It's legal information, not legal advice, and it creates no attorney-client relationship — but it could change how your case ends. If you then want a lawyer, we can help you book a paid consultation with an Indiana-licensed attorney.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.