Divorce Attorneys Serving Lake County and Northwest Indiana

Divorce is one of the most consequential legal processes you'll go through — and how it's handled in the first weeks often determines the outcome. Whether your divorce is straightforward or heavily contested, we'll tell you exactly what you're facing before you make any decisions.

Indiana is a no-fault divorce state, which means neither spouse is required to prove wrongdoing to obtain a dissolution of marriage. What that does not mean is that the process is simple. Property, debt, custody, and support all require resolution — and the decisions made early in the process carry weight throughout.

Indiana law also imposes a 60-day minimum waiting period from the date the petition is filed before a divorce can be finalized. In contested cases, the actual timeline is often considerably longer. Understanding where your case falls on that spectrum is the first conversation we have with every client.

Contested vs. Uncontested: Which Category Is Yours?

One of the most common questions we hear is whether a divorce will be contested — and what that actually means for cost and timeline. Here is the practical distinction:

An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all major issues: property division, debt allocation, custody, and support. These cases move faster, cost less, and typically resolve close to the 60-day minimum.

A contested divorce involves disputes on one or more of those issues. These cases require negotiation, potential mediation, and sometimes litigation before a judge. They take longer and require more intensive legal strategy.

Many clients come to us unsure which category applies to them. That is exactly what the free consultation is for — we assess your situation and give you a direct answer about what to expect.

Property Division in Indiana Is Not Automatically 50/50

Indiana follows equitable distribution, meaning marital assets are divided fairly — but fairly does not always mean equally. Courts consider factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, contributions to the marital estate, and the custody arrangement for any children.

In practice, this means the outcome depends heavily on documentation, legal argument, and how thoroughly your attorney pursues the full picture of marital assets. We work to ensure nothing is overlooked — property, retirement accounts, business interests, debt — and that the division reflects what the law actually entitles you to.

If Your Spouse Already Has an Attorney, Act Now

Retaining counsel after your spouse already has representation is not a disadvantage — but waiting longer is. An attorney on one side and none on the other creates an imbalance in how early decisions get made, what gets documented, and what protective steps are taken.

We can be retained immediately and advise you on what to do — and what not to do — from the moment you call. The earlier we're involved, the more options you have.

Why Clients in Lake County Choose Tanzillo Stassin & Babcock

• Nearly 100 years of combined attorney experience across our four-attorney team
• Free consultations with direct access to an attorney — not a paralegal or intake screener
• We handle contested and uncontested divorces, legal separation, and cases involving complex asset division
• Serving clients throughout Lake County, Porter County, and Northwest Indiana
• 24-hour response commitment — because divorce timelines don't wait

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Indiana