https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog Legal guidance for North Vernon and Jennings County, Indiana residents on criminal defense, family law, estate planning, and small claims/eviction matters. en-us Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/what-is-a-guardian-ad-litem-a-jennings-county-parents-guide https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/what-is-a-guardian-ad-litem-a-jennings-county-parents-guide Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 What a Guardian ad Litem does in Indiana custody, divorce, and CHINS cases, why they talk to your kids, and how Jennings County parents should prepare. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/accused-of-a-crime-you-didnt-commit-5-things-to-do-and-3-to-avoid https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/accused-of-a-crime-you-didnt-commit-5-things-to-do-and-3-to-avoid Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Falsely accused of a crime in Jennings County, Indiana? Here are 5 things to do and 3 mistakes to avoid, from North Vernon criminal defense attorney Chris Doran. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-your-adult-kid-move-home-without-ruining-your-estate-plan https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-your-adult-kid-move-home-without-ruining-your-estate-plan Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Why adding an adult child to your home's deed can create tax, Medicaid, and control problems, and better alternatives like a TOD deed, trust, or written agreement. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-sports-winnings-really-pay-your-back-child-support https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-sports-winnings-really-pay-your-back-child-support Sun, 09 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana's House Bill 1092 now lets the state intercept mobile sports betting withdrawals of $600+ to collect unpaid child support. Here's how it works. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-i-get-a-divorce-without-going-to-court-in-indiana-what-jennings-county https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-i-get-a-divorce-without-going-to-court-in-indiana-what-jennings-county Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How an uncontested divorce works in Jennings County, Indiana: the 60-day waiting period, residency rules, required paperwork, and what happens when kids are involved. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-you-skip-the-home-study-in-an-indiana-adoption https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-you-skip-the-home-study-in-an-indiana-adoption Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana law allows a home study waiver only for stepparent and grandparent adoptions. What Jennings County families need to know before they file. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/5-things-to-know-if-youre-thinking-about-adoption-in-indiana https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/5-things-to-know-if-youre-thinking-about-adoption-in-indiana Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana's 2026 adoption law changes explained: the 12-month placement rule, video consent, home studies, earlier open adoption contact, and faith protections. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-jennings-county-bail-bonds-everything-you-need https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-jennings-county-bail-bonds-everything-you-need Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How bail works in Jennings County, Indiana in 2026: types of bail, the new SB 2 dangerousness law, pretrial services, and what to expect after an arrest. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/are-handshake-leases-dead-why-north-vernon-landlords-need-a-agreement https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/are-handshake-leases-dead-why-north-vernon-landlords-need-a-agreement Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Verbal leases are legal in Indiana, but hard to enforce. Why written lease agreements protect Jennings County landlords on late fees, pets, repairs, and evictions. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/5-steps-to-master-the-new-free-range-parenting-law-and-protect-your-right https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/5-steps-to-master-the-new-free-range-parenting-law-and-protect-your-right Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana's 2026 Reasonable Childhood Independence law (HEA 1035) protects parents who let kids walk, bike, or stay home alone. Five steps to know your rights. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/is-public-camping-now-a-crime-what-north-vernon-residents-need-to-know https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/is-public-camping-now-a-crime-what-north-vernon-residents-need-to-know Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana's new public camping ban (SEA 285) starts July 1, 2026. Here's what North Vernon and Jennings County residents need to know about the law and its defenses. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/why-your-chatbot-isnt-your-lawyer-protecting-your-secrets-in-the-age-of-a https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/why-your-chatbot-isnt-your-lawyer-protecting-your-secrets-in-the-age-of-a Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Attorney-client privilege doesn't apply to AI chatbots. Why typing your legal secrets into ChatGPT can waive your privilege and hurt your case in Indiana. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/why-new-findings-of-fact-laws-will-change-the-way-attorneys-in-north-vern https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/why-new-findings-of-fact-laws-will-change-the-way-attorneys-in-north-vern Sat, 13 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana's Public Law 38-2025 now requires judges to write detailed Findings of Fact in final custody orders. What it means for your Jennings County custody trial. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/looking-for-a-jennings-county-attorney-5-things-you-should-know-about-the https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/looking-for-a-jennings-county-attorney-5-things-you-should-know-about-the Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana's TOD deed rules changed in 2026: Auditor endorsement, an insurance coverage gap, spousal signature rules, and more. Here's what Jennings County families need to know. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-permanency-project-getting-our-kids-home-sooner https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-permanency-project-getting-our-kids-home-sooner Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How Chris Doran's Jennings County Permanency Project helps children in CHINS cases spend less time in foster care and reach safe, stable permanency sooner. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/what-exactly-is-a-judge-pro-tem https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/what-exactly-is-a-judge-pro-tem Sat, 09 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 What a Judge Pro Tem is, how the role differs from a magistrate, and why it matters for keeping the Jennings County court docket moving on schedule. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/recovery-over-incarceration-how-the-jennings-county-adult-recovery-court https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/recovery-over-incarceration-how-the-jennings-county-adult-recovery-court Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 How the Jennings County Adult Recovery Court works, why it favors treatment over jail time, and what it means for families across North Vernon and the county. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/back-on-the-bench-an-important-update-from-chris-doran-law-llc https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/back-on-the-bench-an-important-update-from-chris-doran-law-llc Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Archived notice: Chris Doran served as Judge Pro Tem in Jennings Circuit Court from May 6 through August 16, 2026. He has since returned to private practice full-time. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/your-guide-to-the-jennings-county-courthouse-parking-security-etc https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/your-guide-to-the-jennings-county-courthouse-parking-security-etc Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 What to expect at the Jennings County Courthouse in Vernon, Indiana: where to park, what security allows, what to wear, and how to find your courtroom. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-secret-to-a-faster-divorce-how-staying-friendly-saves-you-time-and https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-secret-to-a-faster-divorce-how-staying-friendly-saves-you-time-and Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 An uncontested, friendly divorce in Jennings County, Indiana saves time and money compared to a contested fight. How mediation and cooperation help. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-no-will-nightmare-what-happens-to-your-property-in-north-vernon https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-no-will-nightmare-what-happens-to-your-property-in-north-vernon Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana's intestate succession rules decide who gets your property if you die without a will. What that default plan actually means for North Vernon families. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/back-on-the-bench-what-it-means-to-serve-as-a-senior-judge-in-indiana https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/back-on-the-bench-what-it-means-to-serve-as-a-senior-judge-in-indiana Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 What a Senior Judge does in Indiana, how the program works, and why local attorneys sometimes serve on the bench — explained by North Vernon attorney Chris Doran. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/my-child-was-arrested-in-jennings-county-a-step-by-step-guide-for-stressed https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/my-child-was-arrested-in-jennings-county-a-step-by-step-guide-for-stressed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A step-by-step guide for stressed parents whose child was arrested in Jennings County, Indiana: rights, detention hearings, and the juvenile court process. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-high-cost-of-free-forms-avoiding-accidental-fraud-in-jennings-county https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-high-cost-of-free-forms-avoiding-accidental-fraud-in-jennings-county Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Using the wrong free probate form in Jennings County can mean accidental fraud, rejected filings, or a clouded property title. Why local guidance matters. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/power-of-attorney-vs-guardianship-which-is-better-for-your-family https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/power-of-attorney-vs-guardianship-which-is-better-for-your-family Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Power of Attorney or Guardianship: which one protects your Jennings County family? A side-by-side look at cost, court involvement, privacy, and when to use each. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-10-day-clock-eviction-notice-must-be-perfect-in-jennings-county https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/the-10-day-clock-eviction-notice-must-be-perfect-in-jennings-county Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Why your 10-Day Notice to Pay or Quit must be exact in Jennings County, Indiana: the correct amount, a defined cure period, proper service, and counting the clock. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/do-grandparents-have-a-legal-seat-at-the-table-grandparent-visitation https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/do-grandparents-have-a-legal-seat-at-the-table-grandparent-visitation Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Do grandparents have visitation rights in Indiana? The three legal gateways under the Grandparent Visitation Act, and how Jennings County courts decide. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/how-to-get-specialized-driving-privileges-in-north-vernon https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/how-to-get-specialized-driving-privileges-in-north-vernon Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A step-by-step guide to getting Specialized Driving Privileges after a license suspension in Jennings County, Indiana, including the new 2026 legal updates. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/mediator-attorney-or-private-judge-jennings-county-custody-cases https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/mediator-attorney-or-private-judge-jennings-county-custody-cases Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Which role does your Jennings County custody case need: an attorney to advocate, a mediator to find middle ground, or a private judge for a faster decision? https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/why-everyone-is-talking-about-ai-scams https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/why-everyone-is-talking-about-ai-scams Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Voice cloning and deepfake scams are targeting Indiana families. How the Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act helps, and practical steps to protect yours. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/do-you-really-need-a-full-trust-transfer-on-death-deeds https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/do-you-really-need-a-full-trust-transfer-on-death-deeds Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 TOD deed or Revocable Living Trust? A side-by-side comparison for Jennings County, Indiana families deciding how to pass on their home. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/jennings-county-probate-faq-everything-north-vernon-families-need-to-know https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/jennings-county-probate-faq-everything-north-vernon-families-need-to-know Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Answers to the most common probate questions from North Vernon and Jennings County, Indiana families: what probate is, whether you need it, cost, and timeline. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/indianas-new-child-support-math-explained https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/indianas-new-child-support-math-explained Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana updated its Income Shares child support guidelines on January 1, 2026. What the new math means for your payments and when you can modify an order. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/divorce-vs-legal-separation-which-is-better-for-your-jennings-co-family https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/divorce-vs-legal-separation-which-is-better-for-your-jennings-co-family Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Divorce or legal separation? How the two differ under Indiana law on health insurance, remarriage, property division, and the one-year separation limit. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/jennings-county-court-101-a-beginners-guide https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/jennings-county-court-101-a-beginners-guide Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 What to expect at your first hearing in Jennings County, Indiana: courtroom etiquette, what to wear, how to prepare paperwork, and what happens after. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/do-you-really-need-a-tod-transfer-on-death-deed https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/do-you-really-need-a-tod-transfer-on-death-deed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 What a Transfer on Death (TOD) deed is, how it avoids probate in Indiana, and where it can get messy — from a North Vernon estate planning attorney. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/your-quick-start-guide-to-estate-planning-in-vernon-indiana-do-this-first https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/your-quick-start-guide-to-estate-planning-in-vernon-indiana-do-this-first Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 The three documents every Jennings County adult needs first: a will, financial power of attorney, and healthcare directive. A step-by-step quick-start guide. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-attorney-in-vernon-indiana https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-attorney-in-vernon-indiana Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Weighing a big-city law firm against a local small-town attorney in Vernon, Indiana? Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/are-field-sobriety-tests-required-what-north-vernon-drivers-should-know https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/are-field-sobriety-tests-required-what-north-vernon-drivers-should-know Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Field sobriety tests are voluntary in Indiana, but chemical tests are not. What North Vernon drivers need to know before and during an OWI traffic stop. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/facing-drug-charges-in-north-vernon-5-steps-to-take-right-after-an-arrest https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/facing-drug-charges-in-north-vernon-5-steps-to-take-right-after-an-arrest Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Five steps to protect your rights after a drug arrest in Jennings County, Indiana, from staying silent to hiring a local attorney who knows the local court. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/how-to-check-your-jennings-county-court-case-in-5-minutes https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/how-to-check-your-jennings-county-court-case-in-5-minutes Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A step-by-step guide to Indiana's free MyCase portal: how to search your Jennings County court case, view docket entries, and download documents. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/are-you-facing-drug-charges-in-indiana-new-2025-laws-around-fentanyl https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/are-you-facing-drug-charges-in-indiana-new-2025-laws-around-fentanyl Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Indiana's 2025 overhaul of fentanyl and synthetic drug penalties explained for Jennings County residents, plus how Adult Recovery Court can offer a path forward. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/gun-trusts-in-indiana-a-simple-guide-for-jennings-county-firearms-owners https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/gun-trusts-in-indiana-a-simple-guide-for-jennings-county-firearms-owners Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Why Jennings County firearms owners use gun trusts for NFA items, avoiding probate, and passing a collection to family without extra tax stamps or hassle. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/5-steps-how-to-prepare-for-your-indiana-custody-hearing-and-build-a-stronge https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/5-steps-how-to-prepare-for-your-indiana-custody-hearing-and-build-a-stronge Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Five steps to build a stronger custody case in Jennings County, Indiana: know the law, organize documentation, prepare your testimony, and line up witnesses. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/how-to-file-for-divorce-in-jennings-county https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/how-to-file-for-divorce-in-jennings-county Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A practical guide to filing for divorce in Jennings County, Indiana: residency rules, required forms, serving your spouse, and the 60-day waiting period. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/looking-for-a-lawyer-in-north-vernon-indiana https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/looking-for-a-lawyer-in-north-vernon-indiana Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A general checklist for hiring any attorney in North Vernon and Jennings County, Indiana: what to ask about experience, fees, communication, and fit. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/indiana-chins-cases-explained-a-parents-guide-to-what-happens-next https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/indiana-chins-cases-explained-a-parents-guide-to-what-happens-next Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 A parent's guide to Indiana CHINS (Child In Need of Services) cases: how they start, the initial and fact-finding hearings, and your rights throughout. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/what-you-need-a-notary-for-and-why-its-handy-having-your-attorney-certifi https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/what-you-need-a-notary-for-and-why-its-handy-having-your-attorney-certifi Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 When you need a notary in rural Indiana: real estate deeds, estate planning documents, farm and business transactions, and why an attorney-notary saves a trip. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-you-really-clear-your-criminal-record-in-indiana https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/can-you-really-clear-your-criminal-record-in-indiana Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 The truth about criminal record expungement in Indiana: what it seals, who qualifies, the requirements, and how the process works in Jennings County. https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/7-common-legal-mistakes-rural-indiana-residents-make https://www.chrisdoranlaw.com/blog/7-common-legal-mistakes-rural-indiana-residents-make Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 From skipping a will to ignoring debt collection notices, seven costly legal mistakes rural Jennings County residents make, and how a local attorney helps.