Indiana law provides that each parent should be responsible for providing economic assistance for raising their children. A variety of factors are involved in determining the proper amount of support, beginning with the child support guidelines adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court. We will thoroughly explain the criteria for establishing support and the best method for payment of support for you and your family. We can assist you in reviewing your situation and determining an appropriate amount of child support. We will advocate for your interests in court to accomplish a fair and equitable result.
Child Custody and Visitation
Determining with which parent a child lives can be a devastating experience for parents and also for children. Courts have the ability to award sole custody to one parent or joint custody to both parents. Courts also determine what time children will be able to spend with both parents. These issues arise in both divorce matters where the parents have been married as well as paternity cases where the mother and father were not married. At Whitham & Zubek, you will deal almost exclusively with your attorney and you will deal with a paralegal only when it’s most cost-effective without any disadvantage to your case. We are keenly aware of the distress a child custody matter can cause to you and your child and we endeavor to reduce the stress whenever possible through thorough consultation, prompt response to your needs, and amicable resolution whenever possible.
Paternity
Premarital Agreement
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements have become common, especially in relationships where either of the parties has children from a prior marriage, significant assets such as a business, or the prospect of significant inheritance. It’s always a good idea to understand what a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can, and cannot, do to protect your assets if an impending marriage ends in divorce.
Any interaction with law enforcement is problematic. We can assist clients in traffic matters including tickets, suspended licenses, and DUI. We also defend clients in criminal matters including misdemeanors as well as felonies.
Greg practices in a variety of areas of civil law, including many areas of real estate involving eminent domain, zoning, variances and special exceptions, commercial leasing, sales and purchases of real estate, mechanics liens, nuisances, easements, disputes with governmental entities and litigation on the aforementioned matters; family law; corporate and business law including sales of businesses; administrative law; judicial review; and general civil litigation.
Business Disputes
Business Transactions
Whether your business is large or small, it is likely you will encounter situations where solid legal counsel is critical. It’s always best to reduce risks, avoid business mistakes, and leverage opportunities by seeking legal advice in advance. Our lawyers are poised to offer critical advice to you and your business from its beginning, through its growth, and in transition to new ownership. We help our clients determine which kind of business entity to form after consideration of all factors. If your business is either planning to buy another business or sell an existing business, we can assist you in making that process as easy and profitable as possible. When opportunities present themselves to you, call us to help you plan your next move.
We represent individuals and businesses in all types of civil litigation including business disputes, wage claims, non-competition agreement litigation, construction issues, landlord tenant disputes and real estate matters. We can help you avoid litigation by assisting you in drafting the transaction to minimize risk. Your first response to litigation can be crucial to the ultimate outcome, so seek advice as soon as you’re aware of the potential for litigation. Resolving litigation early, without regard to whether you are the initiating party or the defending party, is important. We have extensive experience in mediations, both representing a party and as the mediator. We can help you resolve disputes with less expense and stress if you contact us early.
Construction Litigation
Eminent Domain
Greg has argued cases before the Indiana Supreme Court, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and trial courts all over the State of Indiana and has tried more than 30 jury trials over the years as well as many bench trials and administrative actions. Greg has also been involved in continuing education programs and has been a panelist for the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum on eminent domain. While the majority of Greg’s practice is in Indiana, he does do some work in Illinois for clients that have business interests in that state.
Easement
Land Use and Zoning
Larry Whitham practices in several areas of civil law, including family law, auto accident litigation and other cases involving personal injury and wrongful death. His practice also includes real estate and zoning cases, estate planning, and estate administration. Larry is also frequently called upon to handle cases involving criminal matters.
The partners at Whitham & Zubek, LLP, have assisted many clients who have suffered injuries in various kinds of accidents, including vehicle collisions, trucking accidents, and falls upon defective or dangerous premises. Our goal is always to be helpful to our clients in making plans to sustain family responsibilities during the time between the accident and a meaningful and fair recovery. Obtaining such a recovery is dependent upon proper preparation of the facts supporting the client’s claim and aggressive pursuit of a reasonable recovery. The ultimate goal is to assist the client in recovering from the injury as fully and promptly as possible, both in an emotional and a physical sense, and in being supportive of the injured client and his or her family, while the financial aspects of the injury are addressed. The lawyers at Whitham & Zubek, LLP, can help you understand your rights and assist you in protecting those rights, both at the time of the initial injury and throughout the claim and/or and litigation process.
Larry practices in several areas of civil law, including family law, auto accident litigation and other cases involving personal injury and wrongful death. His practice also includes real estate and zoning cases, estate planning, and estate administration. Larry is also frequently called upon to handle cases involving criminal matters.
Wills
In the event a client is unable to make healthcare decisions, having a previously executed healthcare representative form is quite helpful. Living wills allow the individual to appoint a family member, or several family members, as representatives who are able to make medical and healthcare decisions on behalf of the client. Additionally, by executing a living will, a client is able to direct that the client does not wish to have their life prolonged by artificial life-prolonging measures. Such documents are not expensive but extremely helpful if, and when, the time comes that a client is unable to make those decisions independently.
Power of Attorney
When an individual is mentally competent, that person can sign a power of attorney which authorizes a family member or trusted friend to act in place of that person in the event of either a future mental or physical incapacity. The execution of a General Durable Power of Attorney is an excellent way to ensure that a client’s affairs are handled properly and in a cost-effective manner in the event the client should become mentally or physically disabled.