Uncontested Divorce in Indiana — The 60-Day Wait, Settlement Agreements and Flat Fee Pricing

Indiana calls divorce a "dissolution of marriage" and offers a fairly quick path for agreed couples. This guide to uncontested divorce in Indiana explains residency, the 60-day waiting period and flat fee pricing.

Indiana is a no-fault state. You only need to show an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Moreover, agreed cases can sometimes be finalized without a final hearing. Consequently, complete paperwork is the key.

From Indianapolis and Fort Wayne to Evansville, South Bend and Carmel, the law is the same. However, each county's courts have their own procedures.

Residency and the 60-day waiting period

One spouse must have lived in Indiana for six months, and in the filing county for three months, before filing. Therefore, check both requirements.

Indiana also has a waiting period. The court cannot enter the final decree until at least 60 days after the petition is filed. Consequently, an agreed Indiana divorce usually takes at least two months.

The settlement agreement

Agreed Indiana couples file a settlement agreement. It divides property and debts, sets maintenance and covers children. Furthermore, the court reviews it for fairness.

Indiana presumes an equal division of the marital estate is just and reasonable. However, that presumption can be rebutted. Unusually, Indiana's marital estate generally includes property owned before marriage. Therefore, the agreement must address everything. Our Marital Settlement Agreement service drafts it to Indiana standards.

Retirement accounts often require a QDRO. Consequently, include them clearly.

Children, custody and support in Indiana

If you have children, the court must approve the parenting arrangement even when you agree. Indiana courts often apply the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines as a default schedule, which parents can adjust by agreement. Courts in every state focus on the child's best interests. Consequently, specific schedules are approved more readily than vague ones.

Our parenting plan service drafts the weekly schedule, holidays, school breaks and decision-making rules. In addition, it covers exchanges, communication and how future disagreements will be handled.

Child support follows the Indiana Child Support Guidelines, an income-shares model. Our child support calculation worksheet estimates the guideline amount before you sign. As a result, there are no surprises at the final step.

Summary dissolution without a hearing

Indiana allows a summary dissolution in some agreed cases. Spouses file a verified waiver of final hearing and the settlement agreement. Then the court can enter the decree without a hearing after the 60-day period.

However, some courts still require a short hearing, especially with children. Therefore, follow your county's practice.

Mistakes that delay an Indiana divorce

Several errors commonly slow Indiana divorces. For instance, the agreement may leave out property owned before marriage, which Indiana generally includes in the marital estate. As a result, the court may question the agreement.

Another issue is an incomplete child support worksheet or parenting time plan. Similarly, waivers must be properly verified. Therefore, use a complete checklist.

Flat fee divorce pricing and courts in Indiana

Our Uncontested Divorce Documents start at $149 for Indiana. The standard package tailors every form to your facts and county. Meanwhile, the premium package adds attorney review and extra revisions.

Court filing fees are separate and paid to the clerk. If you cannot afford them, Indiana courts allow you to apply to waive or reduce the fees based on income. Therefore, cost should not stop you from filing.

Divorces are heard in the circuit or superior courts of each county. For example, Marion County cases are heard in Indianapolis.

For a second opinion before you file, book an uncontested divorce consultation. If your spouse has already filed, our response to divorce petition service protects your position before the deadline. For the national picture, read our flat fee uncontested divorce guide.

A realistic Indiana timeline

First, you agree the terms and gather records. Next, the petition is filed and served, or service is waived. Then the 60-day waiting period begins.

During that time, the settlement agreement and waivers are completed. After that, the decree is submitted. Finally, the judge signs it. Consequently, many agreed Indiana divorces finish shortly after 60 days.

After your Indiana divorce: the final checklist

The decree is not quite the finish line. Several practical steps turn the agreement into reality. Therefore, make a checklist the day the judgment is signed.

Names, licenses and records

First, if you are restoring a former name, update your Social Security record before anything else. Then update your driver's license with the Indiana BMV, followed by banks, employers and passports. Indiana decrees can restore a former name, so request it in the petition.

Property and accounts

Next, transfer the house if one spouse is keeping it. Usually, that means recording a new deed with the county recorder. In addition, the spouse keeping the home should refinance any joint mortgage by the deadline in the agreement. Meanwhile, close or separate joint bank accounts and credit cards, because creditors are not bound by your agreement.

Retirement, insurance and estate plans

After that, send any QDRO to the retirement plan administrator promptly. Delays can cost the receiving spouse money. Similarly, review health insurance: a spouse losing employer coverage may have continuation rights for a limited time. Finally, update beneficiary designations, your will and any powers of attorney. Otherwise, an ex-spouse could still inherit or make decisions for you.

Consequently, a short checklist after the decree prevents expensive problems later. If you need new estate documents, our Estate Plan Bundle covers a will, power of attorney and healthcare directive for Indiana.

When an uncontested divorce is not right in Indiana

An agreed divorce is not safe for everyone. For example, if there has been domestic violence, pressure to sign or hidden assets, you need advice first. Similarly, if your spouse controls the finances and you lack information, a quick settlement may be unfair.

In those situations, Indiana law offers a contested dissolution with provisional orders instead. Therefore, book a contested divorce consultation or read our guide to contested divorce litigation. Consequently, you protect your rights before signing anything.

Our Uncontested Divorce services in Indiana

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in Indiana. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Uncontested Divorce across Indiana — cities we serve

We work with clients in every part of Indiana, entirely online. Therefore, it does not matter whether you live downtown or hours from the nearest courthouse. Your documents follow Indiana law and your county's local practice. Choose your city below to see local details and prices.

• Indianapolis: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Indianapolis · Uncontested divorce consultation in Indianapolis · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Indianapolis
• Fort Wayne: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Fort Wayne · Uncontested divorce consultation in Fort Wayne · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Fort Wayne
• Evansville: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Evansville · Uncontested divorce consultation in Evansville · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Evansville
• South Bend: Uncontested Divorce Documents in South Bend · Uncontested divorce consultation in South Bend · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in South Bend
• Carmel: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Carmel · Uncontested divorce consultation in Carmel · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Carmel
• Fishers: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Fishers · Uncontested divorce consultation in Fishers · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Fishers
• Bloomington: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Bloomington · Uncontested divorce consultation in Bloomington · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Bloomington
• Gary: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Gary · Uncontested divorce consultation in Gary · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Gary
• Lafayette: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Lafayette · Uncontested divorce consultation in Lafayette · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Lafayette

More Indiana services

Uncontested divorce consultation in Indiana · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Indiana · Parenting Plan / Custody Agreement in Indiana · Child Support Calculation Worksheet in Indiana · Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) in Indiana · Response to Divorce Petition in Indiana. See all legal services in Indiana.

Nearby states

Moving between states, or is the other party elsewhere? We also cover Uncontested Divorce Documents in Illinois, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Ohio, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Michigan, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Kentucky. See every location we cover.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.