Title 31, FAMILY LAW AND JUVENILE LAW

Sec. 3. The right of a person with a disability to parent the person's child may not be denied or restricted solely because the person has a disability. As added by P.L.146-2021, SEC.5.

Sec. 1. This chapter applies only to the following: (1) A judicial circuit in which there is located a consolidated city and the judges of the superior court and the judge of the circuit court determine that the social conditions in the county and the number of domestic relations…

Sec. 10. The judges described in section 1(1) of this chapter and the judge described in section 1(2) of this chapter shall establish uniform rules if applicable and may make special orders and rules as necessary. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-24-8 part.] As added by P.…

Sec. 11. The domestic relations counseling bureau may receive gifts and donations from private sources under approval of the judges or the judge to supplement the bureau's budget. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-24-9 part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.4.

Sec. 12. In a circuit or county that has a marriage counseling service paid for by private money and supervised by a court, the domestic relations counseling bureau may receive all records and property of the existing service and incorporate the records and property into the bure…

Sec. 2. For: (1) any judicial circuit in which there is located a consolidated city, the judges described in section 1(1) of this chapter may establish a bureau of the courts; and (2) a county having a population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) and less than seven hu…

Sec. 3. A judge may order either or both parties in a domestic relations proceeding to: (1) report to the domestic relations bureau; (2) cooperate in counseling; and (3) furnish the counselor with pertinent information in a party's knowledge. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31…

Sec. 4. (a) A domestic relations counseling bureau shall provide counseling service to the parties in separation, dissolution, or annulment actions, including enforcement, modification, and post-decree proceedings that are: (1) filed in a court; and (2) referred to the bureau by …

Sec. 5. (a) The judges described in section 1(1) of this chapter and the judge described in section 1(2) of this chapter may appoint: (1) one (1) or more professionally qualified domestic relations referees, counselors, and other necessary personnel, including a full-time directo…

Sec. 6. The domestic relations counseling bureau shall perform the following duties in domestic relations cases and such other duties as the judges described in section 1(1) of this chapter, the judge described in section 1(2) of this chapter, or a magistrate assigns to the domes…

Sec. 7. The: (1) use of counseling service provided under this chapter; and (2) action taken that has been recommended by the domestic relations counselor; is not condonation on the part of either spouse of acts that may constitute grounds for divorce or dissolution of the marria…

Sec. 8. (a) All counseling: (1) proceedings; (2) interviews; and (3) conferences; shall be held in private. (b) All communications, verbal or written, and any record made as a result of the communications from the parties to the judge, the domestic relations counselor, or other p…

Sec. 9. The judges in carrying out this chapter must act by a majority of all their number. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-24-8 part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.4.

Sec. 1. (a) A person interested in establishing whether a child was born in wedlock may file a petition to maintain an action to determine whether the child was born in wedlock. The petition must: (1) be filed in the circuit or superior court of a county in which either of the pa…

Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a final determination made under section 1 of this chapter (or IC 31-7-8-3 before its repeal) is conclusive among the parties to the action and among persons who make claims under parties to the action. (b) A defendant who was les…

Sec. 3. A child of a common law marriage that was consummated before January 2, 1958, is considered to be a child of a valid marriage. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-7-8-6.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.5.

Sec. 1. A man's paternity may only be established: (1) in an action under this article; or (2) by executing a paternity affidavit in accordance with IC 16-37-2-2.1. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-6.1-9(b) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.6.

Sec. 1. Proceedings under this article must comply with the Indiana Rules of Civil Procedure. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-4(e) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.7.

Sec. 10. Except as provided in sections 13 and 14 of this chapter, in an action for a dissolution of marriage under section 2 of this chapter, a final hearing shall be conducted not earlier than sixty (60) days after the filing of the petition. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: …

Sec. 11. If a petition has been filed in an action for legal separation under IC 31-15-3-2 (or IC 31-1-11.5-3(c) before its repeal), a final hearing on a petition or counter petition subsequently filed in an action for dissolution of marriage under section 2 of this chapter (or I…

Sec. 12. (a) This section applies if a party who filed an action for dissolution of marriage under section 2 of this chapter (or IC 31-1-11.5-3(a) before its repeal) files a motion to dismiss the action. (b) A party that files an action shall serve each other party to the action …

Sec. 13. At least sixty (60) days after a petition is filed in an action for dissolution of marriage under section 2 of this chapter, the court may enter a summary dissolution decree without holding a final hearing under this chapter if there have been filed with the court verifi…

Sec. 14. (a) The court may bifurcate the issues in an action for dissolution of marriage filed under section 2 of this chapter (or IC 31-1-11.5-3(a) before its repeal) to provide for a summary disposition of uncontested issues and a final hearing of contested issues. The court ma…

Sec. 15. (a) At the final hearing on a petition for dissolution of marriage the court shall consider evidence, including agreements and verified pleadings filed with the court. If the court finds that the material allegations of the petition are true, the court: (1) shall enter a…

Sec. 16. (a) The court shall enter a dissolution decree: (1) when the court has made the findings required by section 15 of this chapter; or (2) upon the filing of pleadings under section 13 of this chapter. The decree may include orders as provided for in this article. (b) A dis…

Sec. 17. (a) To promote the amicable settlements of disputes that have arisen or may arise between the parties to a marriage attendant upon the dissolution of their marriage, the parties may agree in writing to provisions for: (1) the maintenance of either of the parties; (2) the…

Sec. 18. (a) This section does not apply to a lifetime sex or violent offender. (b) A woman who desires the restoration of her maiden or previous married name must set out the name she desires to be restored to her in her petition for dissolution as part of the relief sought. The…

Sec. 19. (a) This section applies to a lifetime sex or violent offender. (b) The court may not issue an order restoring the previous married or unmarried name of a lifetime sex or violent offender unless all of the following conditions are met: (1) The lifetime sex or violent off…

Sec. 2. A cause of action for dissolution of marriage is established. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-3(a) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.7.

Sec. 3. Dissolution of marriage shall be decreed upon a finding by a court of one (1) of the following grounds and no other ground: (1) Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. (2) The conviction of either of the parties, subsequent to the marriage, of a felony. (3) Impotence, ex…

Sec. 4. A proceeding for dissolution of marriage is commenced by the filing of a petition entitled, "In Re the marriage of _________ and __________." [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-4(a) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.7.

Sec. 5. (a) A petition for dissolution of marriage must: (1) be verified; and (2) set forth the following: (A) The residence of each party and the length of residence in the state and county. (B) The date of the marriage. (C) The date on which the parties separated. (D) The name,…

Sec. 6. (a) At the time of the filing of a petition under section 4 of this chapter, at least one (1) of the parties must have been: (1) a resident of Indiana; or (2) stationed at a United States military installation within Indiana; for six (6) months immediately preceding the f…

Sec. 7. (a) A petition or counter petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed in the court in which: (1) a legal separation proceeding is pending; or (2) a provisional order or decree for legal separation is in effect; if the petition for legal separation was filed before …

Sec. 8. Whenever a petition is filed, a copy of the petition, including a copy of a summons, shall be served upon the other party to the marriage in the same manner as service of summons in civil actions generally. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-5 part.] As added by…

Sec. 9. A responsive pleading or a counter petition may be filed under this chapter. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-4(d) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.7.

Sec. 1. Proceedings under this chapter and IC 31-16-3.5 through IC 31-16-12 must comply with the Indiana Rules of Civil Procedure. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-4(e) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.1-2010, SEC.117.

Sec. 2. A cause of action for child support is established. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-3(b).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

Sec. 3. A proceeding for child support must be commenced by the filing of a petition entitled, "In Re the support of __________". The petition may be filed by any person entitled to receive child support payments. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-4(b) part.] As added …

Sec. 4. A petition for child support: (1) must be verified; and (2) must set forth the following: (A) The relationship of the parties. (B) The present residence of each party. (C) The names and addresses of: (i) each living child less than nineteen (19) years of age; and (ii) eac…

Sec. 5. Whenever a petition is filed, a copy of the petition, including a copy of a summons, shall be served upon the person alleged to be responsible for child support in the same manner as service of summons in civil actions generally. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11…

Sec. 6. In an action for child support under section 2 of this chapter, one (1) of the parties must reside in the county at the time of the filing of the action. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-6(c).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8.

Sec. 7. A responsive pleading or a counter petition may be filed under this chapter or IC 31-16-3.5 through IC 31-16-12. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-4(d) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.1-2010, SEC.118.

Sec. 8. (a) The court shall enter a decree in an action under section 2 of this chapter when the court finds: (1) that there is a duty to support by the person alleged to have the duty; (2) that the duty to support has not been fulfilled; and (3) that an order should be entered u…

Sec. 1. Jurisdiction of a child custody proceeding under: (1) this chapter, IC 31-17-4, IC 31-17-6, and IC 31-17-7; or (2) IC 31-21 (or IC 31-17-3 before its repeal); shall be determined under IC 31-21 (or IC 31-17-3 before its repeal). [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.…

Sec. 10. (a) The court may seek the advice of professional personnel even if the professional personnel are not employed on a regular basis by the court. The advice shall be given in writing and made available by the court to counsel upon request. (b) Counsel may call for cross-e…