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If you are planning to file for divorce or have recently begun the process of divorce, the subject of alimony may arise. Alimony is a court-ordered payment that one ex-spouse must pay to the other after a divorce. In the past, alimony could be ordered to safeguard each party in a divorce by dividing assets and property fairly. In recent years, the term “alimony” was replaced with spousal maintenance. It can now be awarded to the party that needs financial support to retain the lifestyle they possessed during the marriage.

During a divorce, it can be difficult to discern which party should pay alimony, the type of alimony awarded, the amount paid, and the length of time payments should be carried out. Therefore, it is essential to contact a professional lawyer to understand your rights and obligations and ensure the proper legal processes are followed. At Trapp Law, LLC, our spousal maintenance lawyer, Angela Trapp, has extensive training and experience in family law.  

When Is Alimony in Indiana Required? 

A judge may grant spousal support in several situations, but the law doesn’t provide exact parameters. However, under specific qualifications, you may get or have to pay spousal maintenance following a divorce or legal separation. There are three situations where a court typically awards spousal maintenance, as follows:

• Disability Support: If the ex-spouse is physically or mentally incapacitated and cannot financially support, the courts may award alimony. 
• Caregiver Support: If the ex-spouse has custody and must care for a disabled or incapacitated child and cannot support themselves financially due to the situation, the courts may award alimony. 
• Rehabilitation Support: The courts may award alimony if the ex-spouse stayed at home or worked part-time throughout the marriage and now needs financial support. The court will consider education, training, employment, employment opportunities, earning capacity, work experience, skills, length of absence from the job market, if any, and other pertinent details. 

The courts will assess many factors and require sufficient reasoning for various claims to determine if and how much alimony will be granted. Since this is the case, it is crucial to receive assistance from a qualified family law attorney. Angela Trap will provide complete and accurate evidence, defend your rights, and guide you with precision and understanding throughout the process. If you require temporary spousal maintenance and qualify on rehabilitation support grounds, she will provide substantial argumentation and proof. 

How Much Is Alimony in Indiana?

Unlike other forms of payment determined in a divorce proceeding, such as child support, spousal maintenance is not calculated following a specific formula. Rather, there are many factors that the judge and courts take into consideration when establishing an exact amount. Although the spouses can agree on their own and have it evaluated by the courts, hiring a lawyer at Trap Law, LLC ensures that someone is looking out for the best interest of you and your family. Ultimately, the objective for each party is to maintain a similar standard of living after the divorce. 

There are various ways in which alimony in Indiana can be paid out to the ex-spouse. A one-time payment may be appropriate if the paying party is unemployed or does not have steady employment yet possesses considerable assets. However, most spousal support is issued in periodic payments on a short-term or long-term basis, depending on the situation. In addition, the amount can be taken directly from paychecks through an income withholding to ensure payments are made on time. Wage garnishment is convenient for both parties and can prevent awkward conversations and arguments.

If you ever find yourself in a precarious situation where you cannot meet the spousal maintenance support requirement or your ex-spouse is violating a support order, it is beneficial to contact a family law attorney. A violation in this degree can result in severe consequences such as fines, fees, or a jail sentence. However, if financial circumstances have changed, Trapp Law, LLC, can assist in attaining a modification for a spousal maintenance order. 

For divorces finalized after 2019, spousal support payments do not count as income for the recipient and they are not tax-deductible for the person paying alimony.

How Long Is Alimony Paid in Indiana?

After learning how much alimony you will receive, the next question is how long you will get it or pay it to your ex-spouse. During family court proceedings, the judge will consider all the facts and make the appropriate determination. Therefore, it’s essential to have an experienced attorney representing you. 

If you receive or pay disability or caregiver alimony in Indiana, the length of time depends on the duration of the incapacitation of the ex-spouse or the child. The court may award alimony on a short-term, long-term, or permanent basis. In the case of spousal rehabilitation maintenance, payments can last up to three years. In other cases, Indiana law may go by the traditional rule of one year of alimony per three years of marriage. Furthermore, there are circumstances under which the spousal maintenance order may end altogether. 

How Can Trapp Law Assist in Receiving Alimony? 

Determining, paying, or receiving alimony in Indiana involves a complicated process, requiring special attention to detail and a keen understanding of family law and spousal maintenance requirements. Our family law attorney, Angela Trapp, can assist and guide you on all aspects of divorce, including spousal maintenance. In addition, if you are in the process of filing for divorce, you should acquire legal representation to safeguard your best interests. The Trapp Law, LLC, offices are open to clients throughout Central Indiana, including Indianapolis, Greenfield, Carmel, and nearby communities. 

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to take advantage of a free consultation, contact us to learn more about how you can protect your rights. 

Relationships are going to take work in so many forms. Failure to work on a relationship can lead to its ultimate demise. Work needs to be done on both sides of the relationship rather than one person constantly working to keep the relationship afloat. Be proactive about working on your relationship as it is far easier to maintain a relationship than to repair it. Create a list of things you can do to improve your relationship and start working on them. The following are tips to help you improve your relationship whether it is struggling or not. 

Open Up Lines Of Communication

Communication is an essential part of any relationship regardless of how serious it might be. Resentments can build over the course of time if problems are not discussed. Communication can be uncomfortable at some points but it can help avoid massive fallouts. Sitting down with a relationship counselor might be recommended if you do not communicate in a healthy manner with each other. Sitting down to talk about your day and what your plans are can be so important. Spending time interacting with each other in a loving manner really matters. Delegation in the home also needs to be discussed as realistic workloads should be assigned. Bringing in professionals for home services is important as trying to take on tasks like pest control or roof repair is better left to those with experience.

Plan Some Fun Dates

The same old dates might be too boring or don’t expand your horizons. Going to do something like an escape room can be a fun date that you can enjoy together. Search online to see which escape room is top-rated in your local area. Taking a tour of your city can be a blast as there are food tours as well as cultural tours. Take the time to research the different options for a fun date. Having fun with each other is something that can help reduce issues or make some issues not seem so important. You know what you will enjoy as a couple so take charge and put a fun date together. 

Show Appreciation In Various Ways 

Showing appreciation is very important even if it is not a special day like an anniversary or Valentine’s Day. Doing something like cooking a surprise dinner can be great for a relationship. The aspect of this you have to think about is what you would like to come home to. Even ordering a favorite meal for delivery is an option if you are not skilled in the kitchen. Bringing home flowers or bringing home a bottle of wine can be a nice surprise. 

Truly Listen To What Is Important To Your Significant Other

Small things can make a huge difference in a relationship. Taking your significant other to a restaurant they mentioned in passing means you are truly listening. The small things that you do can show how much you care as it can be easy to overlook what is said. Being a great listener can also allow you to figure out boundaries with your significant others. 

Improving your relationship is going to take work and even more work if your relationship is on the rocks. Take the time to truly work on your relationship to see how much it improves. 

Over 40% of marriages in both the US and the UK end in divorce. There are so many reasons why divorces occur including financial problems and traumatic events.

But some couples just don’t know how to make a marriage work. They don’t have the emotional tools to fix relationship issues as they arise so they fall apart instead. 

It’s okay that you don’t have all the answers before you say “I do” because you can learn them now. Start by following this quick guide with lots of useful marriage advice you can put into action straight away.

Communication Is Key

Many marriage problems start because either one of you (or both) isn’t communicating their feelings or isn’t being honest. This article attests that often people say “I don’t love you” when they actually mean “I don’t think you love me.”

You’re only going to learn how to make a marriage work when you can share both your hopes and fears with your partner. If your spouse doesn’t know the real you, they cannot love the real you.

Don’t Keep Score

Often, former couples will say that the breakdown of their marriage started with nit-picking. Your spouse might’ve forgotten to take out the trash one evening and then the next day, they didn’t unload the dishwasher.

You will then hold whatever task they didn’t do against them and put yourself on a pedestal. This is a very “me” centered way of looking at the shared tasks that you need to complete in your relationship. You’re a team, not competitors. 

You’re also focusing on what your partner is not doing for the relationship when you should be focusing on what they are doing. Your partner may have also made dinner or done the vacuuming. But you’ll never appreciate those moments if you’re always looking for the negatives.

Support Each Other

Being in a relationship will not make you happier than being single. Only being in a good relationship will. One of the main reasons why people seek out a life partner is because having the support of someone you love and trust makes your life better.

You’re more likely to take a leap of faith, apply for promotions, or take on a huge project if someone has your back. So how do you make a marriage work? Let each other know that you are there for each other, mean it, and show it.

Knowing How To Make a Marriage Work Takes ConstantWork

Some people think that if you marry the right person then life will be plain sailing. That’s not true. You are two separate people with your own thoughts and actions and figuring out how to make a marriage work takes effort on both sides.

But if you do love each other and are willing to put in the work, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a long, beautiful life together.

You’ll never regret any time spent figuring out your relationship issues whether that’s by reading books or articles. Browse our website for more expert advice on relationships and more!

Did you know that the tradition of giving funeral flowers dates back to the Neanderthals? Recent excavations of a cave in Iraq have uncovered the site of several burials, revealing more about the burial rites of our ancient ancestors. Among these burial rites is the use of flowers.

The tradition of funeral flowers has continued to present times. Sending funeral flowers remains the perfect way to celebrate the life of the departed and give condolences to their surviving family members. If someone close to you has recently lost someone, there’s no better way to show you care than by sending flowers.

But, there are a few dos and don’ts to the art of funeral flower arrangements. Read on to learn how to send funeral flowers, so you can pick the right bouquet. 

Sympathy Flowers vs Funeral Flowers

When sending flowers, you have two choices: funeral or sympathy flowers. Funeral flowers are sent directly to the funeral home and are displayed during the funeral service. 

Funeral flowers are generally only sent by close family and friends, so there are usually only a few around the funeral home. If you choose to send funeral flowers it’s important to send them in time for the funeral.

Sympathy flowers are sent to the family of the deceased as a way to express condolences. They are usually delivered directly to the home of the family instead of the funeral home. Anyone can send sympathy flowers at any time, whether before or after the funeral.

If you’re are not very close or directly related to the deceased, sending sympathy flowers is a better option. 

Funeral Flowers for Immediate Family

If you’re picking flowers for an immediate family member, your bouquet will be displayed close to the casket. Specifically, interior casket flowers, casket pillows, and casket sprays are provided by the immediate family of the deceased. 

Casket sprays usually also include banners or ribbons. You can also choose a floral garland, wreath, or other decorative arrangements for the casket lid, inside the casket, or the area around the casket during the service. 

Funeral Flowers for Extended Family

If you’re not an immediate family member, you can pick a standing spray or a small wreath instead. These are displayed around the grave of the deceased during the service. Floral wreaths can be shaped in circles, hearts, or crosses and often include a ribbon.

Funeral Flowers for Friends and Colleagues

If you’re not close to the deceased, it’s best to send sympathy flowers to the family. 

You have more flexibility here, as you aren’t restricted to a wreath or spray. Instead, you can pick a bouquet, flower basket, or another type of arrangement. 

Designing the Arrangement 

It’s traditional to keep funeral and sympathy flowers very neutral. Shades of white and light pastels are traditional for funeral flowers. 

However, there are no hard and fast rules here. If the deceased had a colorful personality and was very full of life, don’t be afraid of designing a more colorful bouquet for them. The closer you were to the deceased, the more appropriate this is. 

If you’re picking flowers for a colleague or simply aren’t sure, it’s best to play it safe and opt for shades of ivory and white. 

Types of Funeral Flowers

Funeral flowers are often more formal than other flowers. This means that they don’t usually include standard garden flowers like sunflowers, tulips, or daisies. Instead, you should send funeral flowers like roses, lilies, larkspur, and carnations. 

This creates a more elegant and reserved bouquet, which makes it appropriate for the occasion. Again, however, there are no hard and fast rules. If you know the deceased loved sunflowers, feel free to incorporate them into the bouquet. 

You can also opt to send a potted plant like an orchid or a peace lily. 

Signing the Card

The card on sympathy and funeral flowers is usually quite small. In addition, the family of the deceased usually has a lot going on and won’t have the bandwidth to read long messages. So, it’s best to keep your message brief.

Write something short and reserved, such as, “Remembering John fondly,” or “With the deepest sympathy.” Then, sign your first and last name. This will reduce confusion.

It’s okay to send one bouquet on behalf of your whole family and to include your spouse on the card. If you worked with the deceased and are sending a bouquet on behalf of your department, it’s also appropriate to sign the card, “The Accounting Department,” or similar. 

The Don’ts of Sending Funeral Flowers

When picking an arrangement, it’s best to avoid anything with balloons or stuffed animals. Even if the funeral is for a child, this type of arrangement can look tacky, especially if you aren’t an immediate family member.

In addition, don’t send an inappropriate arrangement. For instance, if you worked with the deceased it would be considered overstepping to send a casket wreath. In addition, while it can be tempting to pick the biggest bouquet available, a more reserved approach is best to avoid looking tacky. 

Finally, don’t forget to include a card. Eventually, the flowers will fade, but many families choose to keep the cards from sympathy and funeral flowers. They can put them together into a scrapbook or collage as a memorial to the deceased. 

Feel Confident Sending Funeral Flowers 

With this guide, you should be able to pick the right bouquet when sending funeral flowers. There are no rules that are set in stone, so feel free to pick a bouquet that best represents the deceased. But, if you aren’t sure, fall back on tradition and pick a reserved, elegant, arrangement. 

If you learned something from this article, we have tons of similar lifestyle pieces on our blog. Check it out for more! 

Around 75% of single people think their dating lives aren’t going very well. That’s because there’s a lot to consider when it comes to actually going on a date — especially a first one!

If possible, get to know the person through messages first. You’ll get a sense of if they’re a match and can think of a date idea that suits you both.

Here are some outdoor first date ideas to get you started.

1. Hiking

If you love to work out and get to know someone while doing physical activity, consider hikes among your outdoor first date ideas. Many hikes have amazing views at the end, while can really help set an atmosphere!

However, you should make sure you and your date have a similar fitness level. That way, you’ll be able to pick a good hike.

2. Rent Some Bikes

Renting some bikes and going on a cycle can be a fun first date. You can cycle around a familiar area or show your date somewhere new to them, but familiar to you!

If you’re not sure where to rent bikes from, check out chargebikes.com/collections/electric-bikes for help.

3. Find a Restaurant Patio

Restaurant patios are one of the increasingly popular first date ideas during quarantine, as you can still distance if you don’t feel too safe — but you still get to enjoy a fairly normal date!

If you’d rather get dinner and drinks and stick to something classic, there’s no shame in that.

4. A Theme Park

If you’re an adrenaline lover, consider going to a theme park with your date. If things get awkward, you always have the rides to discuss, and at least you know you’ll have fun that day!

Don’t go to a theme park and pretend to like rollercoasters if you just know they’ll make you throw up!

5. The Beach

If you’re near a beach, it’s one of the great classic low-key first dates.

You can take a walk along the sand and get to know each other while enjoying great views — especially if you go close to sunset.

6. Go to an Outdoor Sporting Event

If there’s a game on nearby and you really want to go, why not combine it with your first date? Grabbing a beer and watching the game in person can be a great experience because you’ll have chances to talk but something else to focus on.

Just make sure you and your date don’t support opposing teams, as that could get awkward real fast!

There Are Lots of Outdoor First Date Ideas

The list of outdoor first date ideas is truly neverending. There are many great things you can do regardless of your style.

If you’re active and outdoorsy, go on a hike or watch some sports! If you like classic and lowkey, consider grabbing some outdoor drinks or a nice walk on the beach.

For more lifestyle tips and advice, check out the rest of our site.