Tips & Resources from our friends at Mann Law
If you have a case in Hendricks County please read. Of course, if you have an attorney, contact your attorney. The Hendricks County Courts are adjusting court operations as follows, until at least 4/1/21:
1. Access to court facilities is limited to attorneys, parties, and witnesses required to attend in-person hearings; individuals seeking emergency protective orders; and individuals conducting business in the Clerk’s Office.
2. In-person proceedings will be minimized where remote proceedings will be as effective.
The courts and Clerk’s Office will continue to maintain regular business hours throughout this period.
FYI Halloween hours. The first list has been confirmed by the publisher and the second list is based upon previous years. https://indywithkids.com/trick-or-treat-hours-indy/ For this year unless ordered otherwise in court order, custodial has Halloween evening from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. or at such time as coincides with the scheduled time for trick or treating in the community where the non-custodial parent resides.
Several announcements today on upcoming school year, fall sports, rental assistance program, and statewide eviction facilitation program that is forthcoming. The eviction facilitation program is expected to be similar to the current foreclosure program. https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/indianas-top-doc-officers-guidance-to-schools-anticipates-spreading-of-covid-through-contact-sports/
8/5/20
Marion County residents can obtain free masks by going to this website. https://www.indy.gov/form/face-covering-order-form
6/22/20
Soberlink begins Family Assistance Program When Alcohol is an Issue in Parenting Time or Visitation for Families Who Cannot Afford Normal Rates
Alcohol addiction creates challenges in the family law arena. There is a device that monitors alcohol intake that has been used for years for criminal cases. Recently, the monitor has been used to protect children when one party has the need to control alcohol in parenting time. Previously, the cost was such that many could not afford the use of the device. As a result, either one parent is denied parenting time or the other is concerned about their child the entire time. Now Soberlink is offering a program for people who cannot afford to pay the normal rates. If you or a loved one is in this situation go tohttps://www.soberlink.com/family-law/ for more information. Your attorney can go to https://alcoholmonitoring.soberlink.com/family-assistance-program and apply for the Family Assistance Program.
6/22/20
At this morning's Marion County Court update the following information was provided. Check the Indiana Bar Association website later for a playback of the video conference https://www.indybar.org/index.cfm?pg=covid19 No in person hearings on civil or Juvenile before July 6 but check Marion County court website https://www.indy.gov/agency/marion-superior-courtto see if after that if the hearing is in person or not. For civil cases including Family Law cases click the link Civil Calendars.
If hearing is west wing you use Delaware street, if coming into center tower or basement you go through Market street, if your hearing is in east wing you go through Washington street entrance.
People with a building identification can go through separate entrance not the revolving doors
All people who are coming to court must always wear a mask in all Marion County buildings which house courts which includes the City-County Building
If you contend that you have a medical condition that prevents wearing mask you should bring a letter from your medical provider.
Juvenile court is only running in person hearings one court in each building of two buildings.
They do not have a jury plan approved yet. No jury trials before August 17 then only speedy jury trials.
Plan to start other Jury trial after September 1.
Pro supp calendar starting August 3 but will be remote.
Circuit court all hearings are being remotely.
Check Mycase to see if court has set it for Webex, Zoom or Court Call Even if it does not say you need to check with court before going and it requires the court staff to enter it into the system.
The court is trying to limit the number of people entering the courthouse therefore please do not have people who are not necessary to your case come to the court hearings.
6/19/20
Check out the new Family Assistance Program that helps families affected by alcohol use by offering free Soberlink monitoring services. Learn more here: https://www.soberlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Family-Assistance-Program-Links.pdf
6/18/20
Marion County Courts are beginning in person hearings. Criminal Courts opened this week and the other courts will be phased in. You are required to wear a mask to enter the court house For more information https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/marion-county-courts-begin-reopening-in-person-proceedings?utm_source=il-daily&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=2020-06-15
6/15/20
If you have a case pending in Hendricks County Courts, the Indiana Supreme Court just extended the Emergency Corona Virus order to August 14. Check with your attorney or check your case online at https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase#/vw/Search
6/15/20
Kids’ Voice of Indiana be offering a FREE Virtual Mobile Legal Clinic via Zoom EVERY THURSDAY from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Participants will meet one-on- one and face-to-face with attorneys trained in family law matters. Assistance with certain legal forms may also be provided.
Participants may use the following login information to join the Zoom meeting any time between 3-6pm on Thursdays.
Meeting ID: 867 8509 6798
Password: 753619
Instructions about how to use Zoom from a computer and a phone can be found by clicking here. By joining the Zoom meeting, the parties are acknowledging that they have read and agreed to the following terms:
The lawyers providing information are volunteers and this is a one-time consultation.
The lawyers providing information are not forming an attorney-client relationship with participants of the clinic.
No conflict searches will be conducted. You are unaware of any potential conflicts with the volunteer attorneys and acknowledge it is your obligation to inform the volunteer attorney if you become aware of a conflict during the conversation.
You will tell the truth to the volunteers and all information will be kept confidential.
You will not be charged anything for attending the clinic.
If this day/time does not work for you, remember that we can still assist you via telephone during our regular business hours, you may call an attorney at Kids’ Voice’s Children’s Law Center at (317) 558-2870 ext. 334 or 323. You may also visit our website at www.kidsvoicein.org for helpful information about Indiana law as it applies to child-related cases. Keep in mind that neither Kids’ Voice of Indiana nor its Children’s Law Center of
Indiana provides direct legal representation for children or adults.
This is a great resource for those who need it. If you have difficulty with internet availability, email us and we may be able to assist.
https://www.kidsvoicein.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Virtual-ML-Clinic-Flyer-2.pdf
For Marion County only the judges just said on the video conference update that in person hearings for most civil cases will not be held until July. The non-criminal hearings may be held on WebEx video before then. If you have a hearing coming up, you need to make sure you have the capability to attend the hearing by video. Remember even though you may appear by video, you should dress and comport yourself as if you are in court. You can be held in contempt even though it is video. Also, many criminal cases where evidence is not being provided may be by attorney only. Attorneys are also required to provide the court with your cell phone number and your email.
5/9/20
If you own your own place of business IPL Indianapolis Power & Light has a program where you can obtain LED lights to replace your light at no cost to you. If you go to the link at the end of this post, you can sign up for obtaining the light bulbs. They will refer an approved contractor to contact you about your replacements. For free of charge they come out and check to see how many bulbs you need and will order them for you. They make money if you want them to install them. If you install them yourself, you can receive the bulbs free. https://www.317led.com/lighting-upgrade
4/30/20
We have seen much misinformation on stimulus checks in the various listservs. You should not rely on blogs and news stories as they often do not understand the nuances of the law. For answers, you can go to the IRS website. For example this is the answer as to how it affects your 2020 taxes.
Here is an answer from the IRS website and a link to the Q&A section. Receiving My Payment
Q19. Is the Payment includible in my gross income? (updated April 24, 2020)
A19. No, the Payment is not includible in your gross income. Therefore, you will not include the Payment in your taxable income on your Federal income tax return or pay income tax on your Payment. It will not reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2020 Federal income tax return.
A Payment also will not affect your income for purposes of determining eligibility for federal government assistance or benefit programs.
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center
4/29/20
The Indiana Supreme Court extended restriction on court hearings until May 17, 2020. You should check with your attorney or the court's online access to check upon your matters. https://www.in.gov/judiciary/files/order-other-2020-20S-CB-123f.pdf
4/26/20
People who did not file a 2018 federal tax return or have not filed one for 2019 and do not plan to do so and who are not claimed as dependent by others can file for stimulus check here https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd/EconomicImpactPayment
4/11/20
Unfortunately, many of our fellow Hoosiers have lost their jobs or due to restrictions cannot work as self-employed people. The recent federal law allows both to file for unemployment and in addition to their regular unemployment they may receive an additional $600 a week. Now self-employed people may not receive regular unemployment unless they were incorporated and paid the unemployment taxes. Self-employed should look here for instructions. https://www.in.gov/dwd/files/Uplink_Self-employment_Add_Indiana_Employer_Instructions.pdf
Indiana has not yet added the process for such people, but you should check back at this link regularly. https://www.in.gov/dwd/2362.htm
4/11/20
Many people are out of work or working less hours and may need to modify their child support. The court cannot modify your support for a time before a petition to do so is filed. While you may not receive an immediate hearing, the court can modify back to the date of filing. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can receive the instructions on how to do so here: https://indianalegalhelp.org/court-forms/forms-child-support/child-support-without-agreement/
4/9/20
Based upon the Marion County Court video conference. All civil cases in Marion County scheduled before May 4, 2020, will be continued. Check with your attorney and also check your case on https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase#/vw/Search For other counties you can check your case at the same link. Marion County is looking to having cases online in cases of true emergencies. If you have an order to go to the city county building or some community corrections, contact your attorney as all in person processes are supposed to be continued to a later date.
4/2/20
Eli Lilly opens COVID virus testing to essential workers and people who are in risk groups. https://www.info.lillycovid19testing.com/
4/2/20
Indiana Supreme Court issues guidance on child support, parenting time, wills and many other issues See here. https://calendar.in.gov/site/courts/event/supreme-adjustments-to-court-operations-designed-to-help-meet-legal-needs-in-response-to-covid-19/
Go to mycase to see the orders. Type in number of order i.e. 20S-MS-238 into the place for the case number at https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase/#/vw/Search
3/31/20
Link to resources for children and families from Community Behavioral Health; how to have the conversations with your kids; how to cope; printable worksheets; links to other resources.
3/29/20
Link to helpful information from the Children’s Bureau! Activities to do with your kids of all ages, infants on up!
3/28/20
If you are ordered to pay or receive child support and have been laid off or terminated, you should check to see if you believe your support order will change. This is not simple but a place to start is the link for child support calculator which is https://public.courts.in.gov/csc#/parents-home. Remember that if childcare or the other party's income has changed it affects the support. If you do not file to modify, the prior order remains in effect as state law requires a filing to change support even if other side agrees. Also, the clerk's office is closed in many counties so look here for other ways to pay your support. Look carefully as they all have different service charges. https://calendar.in.gov/site/dcs/event/more-convenient-ways-to-pay-child-support-in-indiana/
3/27/20
If you are sitting at home having watched all the reruns, check out the Indiana Unclaimed Property Website and see if you, a relative, or a friend have some money you did not know about. It is free to do . Make sure you are the correct person as many names are the same. https://indianaunclaimed.gov/
3/25/20
Based upon the Marion County Judge's video update to the bar, Criminal and Juvenile cases are being handled remotely. If you have an attorney, check with your attorney. If you do not have an attorney check this link. Civil and Family Law cases are being continued until at least after May 1, 2020. Check your case to make sure it has not slipped through the cracks. This link is good statewide. Not all counties are handling these matters uniformly. https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase#/vw/Search
3/25/20
We are attaching the link to the federal website which sets out our rights and responsibilities of employers as a result of COVID19 pandemic.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20200324
3/25/20
Thank you to:
Mann Law, P.C.
3750 Kentucky Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46221
317-388-5600 extension 211
Direct facsimile: 317-388-5622
Website: http://www.rmannlawoffice.com/