Most of us in family law are used to considering personality disorders as a form of mental illness because they are included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association, 2013, currently the "DSM-5." In reality, personality disorders are interpersonal disorders, yet they can also be hidden disorders.

The IndyBar Family Law Section is excited to recognize Hon. Alicia Gooden as the 2020 recipient of the Family Law Section Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize those individuals and/or organizations who have made contributions to the legal profession and the community. Specifically, these recipients have demonstrated a commitment to furthering knowledge of issues affecting families as they relate to laws and policies within the bar and among colleagues and have shown a commitment to furthering the interests of families and the Indianapolis community at large.

The United States District Court hereby gives public notice of the amendments to its Local Rules for the Southern District of Indiana, which take effect December 1, 2020.

Legal obligations to report child abuse or neglect to authorities vary from state to state. Some states impose an obligation only on categories of “mandatory reporters,” typically teachers, pastors, counselors, health care providers, or others that may be more likely than most people to encounter child abuse and neglect, with others being “discretionary reporters.”

Your standard of review is one of the most powerful tools in your toolkit to advocate for your client in a family law appeal. Rely on it to formulate your arguments and use it as a theme. Two common standards of review in a family law appeals are de novo and abuse of discretion.

The Thrift Board has determined that a person’s Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is subject to a child support order. This does not apply to an ongoing payment of the support but is for the payment of a child support arrearage. The order must be specific to the TSP, must state a fixed amount, and must either state the amount to be paid or that the account is frozen pending a further order

In the case of In the Matter of the Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship of K.R. 2020 WL 6065769, decided by the Supreme Court of Indiana on October 15, 2020, the issue before the court was whether the drug tests performed on Mother and Father by an outside drug-testing facility were inadmissible hearsay. Evidence Rule 802 states, “Hearsay is not admissible unless these rules or other law provides otherwise.” The court discussed if the results we admissible under Evidence Rule 803(6). 

2020 has been (and no doubt will continue to be) like riding a roller coaster in a hurricane. Fortunately, for the IndyBar, we have a committed membership that has responded in amazing ways. While the pandemic will affect the practice of law for years to come, we can all be proud of the work our association did to respond in positive and uplifting ways. In a non-COVID year, we would typically recognize our IndyBar award winners at our annual Recognition Breakfast — typically a packed event with comradery and good cheer. Like many things this year, we will recognize our award winners in different (but no less important) ways.

It’s getting blustery outside, but don’t let your knowledge of the magistrates and commissioners who may hear your case cause you to be blustery in the court room – virtual or not.  Join us on November 10! 

IndyBar will be offering free wills to Indy-area residents who cannot afford an attorney on Tuesday, November 10. This offering was originally being offered exclusively to veterans in conjunction with Veteran’s Day; however, we have a few openings still available so we are opening the opportunity up to all residents subject to meeting financial requirements at 150% of the Federal Poverty guidelines.