MAJOR CHANGE IN CHILD SUPPORT

By: Kristen Halliden
BleekeDillonCrandall Attorneys

All persons divorcing in the State of Indiana who will be contemplating child support payments should be aware that the State of Indiana has changed the age of termination for child support. Commencing July 1, 2012, child support payments will cease at age 19 years except for educational support orders.

“Duty to support a child. Provides that the duty to support a child, which does not include support for educational needs, ceases when the child becomes 19 years of age. (Current law provides that the duty to support a child ceases when the child becomes 21 years of age.) Permits a child who is receiving child support under an order issued before July 1, 2012, to file a petition for educational needs until the child becomes 21 years of age, and specifies that a child who is receiving child support after this date may petition until the child becomes 19 years of age. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the child custody and support advisory committee.)”

A link to the statute can be found here: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/SE/SE0018.1.html

As always, before ceasing or modifying payments of child support for any reason, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.

Indiana’s New Supreme Court Justice: Mark Massa

By: Chris Simpkins
BleekeDillonCrandall Attorneys

On April 2, 2012, the newest member of the Indiana Supreme Court, Mark Massa, was sworn into office, marking the 107th time that Indiana has appointed a new member to its high court. Justice Massa (51 years old) takes the place of outgoing Chief Justice Randall Shepard, who Justice Massa clerked for in the early 1990’s. Justice Massa was also Chief Counsel to Governor Daniels from 2006 to 2010, as well as a state and federal prosecutor. The next set of oral arguments is scheduled for April 2, 2012, which is the first time Justice Massa will wear the official robe of the Indiana Supreme Court.