If you’ve been through a custody or divorce trial and walked away feeling the judge got it wrong, you’re not alone. Many people feel disheartened after a final order in family court. In some cases, the law gives you an opportunity to challenge that outcome through a family law appeal.

But appealing a family law decision in Indiana is not easy. Most people don’t realize how narrow the path to a successful appeal really is. The appellate courts won’t hear new evidence, and they won’t re-try your case. So how do you win—and when is an appeal even worth pursuing?

If the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) has contacted you, you may feel pressure to cooperate—especially when they ask you to take a drug test. But agreeing to a drug screen without legal advice is one of the most dangerous decisions you can make during a DCS investigation.

This article explains why you have the right to refuse a drug screen, how DCS uses screening results against parents, what constitutional protections apply, and why you should never agree to a screen without speaking to an attorney first.

If you’re a parent who’s just experienced domestic violence and now find yourself under investigation by the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), you may be shocked when things take a turn: instead of helping you, DCS removes your children. This happens more often than you think—and it’s not just unfair, it can be deeply traumatic to both you and your children.

When the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) contacts you, it’s tempting to believe that cooperating will make them go away faster. They may tell you that they just want to “check things out,” “make sure the children are safe,” or that “you don’t need a lawyer.”

Losing in family court can feel devastating. Whether it's an unfavorable custody ruling, a divorce judgment you believe is unfair, or a child support order that doesn't reflect your reality, it's normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps. The good news is: you have options.

When the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) shows up at your door, your first instinct may be to let them in. After all, they say they're just "checking in" or "making sure everything is okay." But before you invite a government investigator into your home, you need to know this: you have the right to say no.

Have you recently received a final divorce decree or child custody order in Indiana and feel that the outcome simply isn't right? You're not alone. Many people walk away from court feeling disappointed, confused, or even outraged by the judge’s decision. Fortunately, Indiana law does offer a way to challenge certain decisions through an appeal—when specific legal or factual errors are present.

Dealing with family court can be an emotional and pivotal experience. Whether it involves divorce, child custody, support, or adoption, the decisions made by the court significantly impact your life and your family's future. Understandably, if you disagree with a ruling, you might wonder: Can I appeal this family court decision in Indiana?

If you and your spouse agree on everything, you might be thinking: Do I really need a lawyer to get divorced in Indiana? The short answer: maybe not—but it depends on your comfort level with the process, the complexity of your situation, and whether you're okay taking the risk of doing it alone.

A CHINS case in Indiana can turn your life upside down—especially when it’s based on a doctor’s mistake. Imagine the Department of Child Services (DCS) knocking on your door, claiming your child’s safety is at risk, all because a medical report got it wrong. These Child in Need of Services (CHINS) cases often lead to kids being removed from their homes, leaving parents heartbroken and fighting to get them back. When the issue stems from a misdiagnosis—Shaken baby syndrome is a prime example. Doctors might see head injuries or bleeding in a baby’s brain and assume abuse, when it’s really a disorder misdiagnosed as abuse—it’s even more devastating.

At Vining Legal, we’ve seen how a DCS substantiation in Indiana can haunt your professional life long after the case closes. In this guide, we’ll uncover how these findings sneak into background checks, the careers they hit hardest, and—most importantly—how to fight back with expungement or appeal. Your livelihood’s on the line—let’s protect it.

A DCS substantiation in Indiana sounds like a family issue—until it costs you your job. Imagine applying for a nursing position, a teaching gig, or a daycare license, only to be turned away because of a past Department of Child Services (DCS) finding. No criminal record, no conviction—just a mark from years ago, quietly killing your career. If you’re in healthcare, education, or childcare, this isn’t a “what if”—it’s a real risk that catches too many professionals off guard.

At Vining Legal, we’ve seen how a DCS substantiation in Indiana can haunt your professional life long after the case closes. In this guide, we’ll uncover how these findings sneak into background checks, the careers they hit hardest, and—most importantly—how to fight back with expungement or appeal. Your livelihood’s on the line—let’s protect it.

A substantiation by the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) can feel like a permanent mark on your record — and in many ways, it is. Even if you've never been criminally charged or found guilty in court, DCS can determine that a report of child abuse or neglect is “substantiated” and record that finding in its internal system, the Child Protection Index.

Your divorce is final—the legal grind is over, and you’re stepping into a fresh start. Even in an uncontested divorce with less drama, moving on isn’t automatic. It’s a big shift, stirring up relief, sadness, maybe some excitement or nerves. This guide isn’t just about the paperwork—it’s about healing, rebuilding, and finding your footing after an uncontested divorce in Indiana.

You’ve filed for an uncontested divorce in Indiana—a bold move toward a new beginning. When you and your spouse agree on the big stuff—property, custody, support—the process is smoother than a contested battle. Still, there’s a legal path to follow, and knowing what lies ahead can keep surprises at bay and your divorce on course. This guide walks you through each step after filing, from the court’s first review to that final decree in your hands.

Divorce is never easy, but when children are involved, parents must work together to create a parenting plan that prioritizes the child’s best interests while ensuring fairness for both parents. In an uncontested divorce, both parties must agree on custody, parenting time, and child support, preventing costly and stressful court battles.

Maintaining a strong parent-child relationship after a separation or divorce can be challenging, especially when parents live far apart. Long-distance parenting requires careful planning, cooperation, and adherence to Indiana’s Parenting Time Guidelines to ensure that children continue to have meaningful relationships with both parents.

For divorced or separated parents, holiday parenting time can be one of the most emotionally challenging aspects of co-parenting. The holiday season should be a time of joy for children, but when parents struggle to agree on schedules, it can create unnecessary stress and conflict.

To help minimize disputes, Indiana follows the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (IPTG), which outline how holiday parenting time should be divided to ensure both parents have meaningful time with their child.

Even in an uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree to end the marriage without conflict, property division remains a crucial step. Ensuring a fair and equitable settlement is essential to avoid financial disputes in the future.

If you have received a Notice of Right to Appeal a Child Abuse or Neglect Substantiation from the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), it means the agency has determined there is enough evidence to substantiate an allegation against you. A substantiation can have serious consequences, including being listed on Indiana’s Child Protection Index (CPI), which can affect your ability to work in certain fields and impact custody rights.

When the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) gets involved in a family’s life, it can be stressful, emotional, and overwhelming—especially if your child has been removed from your home.

If DCS has placed your child in foster care or with another family member, you have the right to fight for reunification. But getting custody back requires proving to the court that you can provide a safe, stable, and loving home.