Berne Family Lawyers

One of the most enjoyable parts of being a lawyer is combining my genuine interest in others with my passion for helping people and fixing situations.

Most people seem to have headaches in a few key areas. That’s why I focus on the fields of family law (divorce, visitation, guardianships, etc.), business law (business formation, law suits, breach of contract, etc.), real estate law and personal injury (car accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and other acts of negligence).

My Experience
I started my career as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I “paid my dues” in busy courtrooms and...

Shawn attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan where she earned her Juris Doctorate in 2008. While in law school, she served as a member of the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association, a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Association, and as an Associate Member of the Mock Trial Board. Prior to studying law, Shawn obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Business Communication from Concordia University in Fort Wayne. During her time in undergraduate school, she served as the Campaign President for Toys for Tots. Shawn is licensed and ready to...

Jim Hanson has a diverse background that provides him with context to find solutions to complex challenges. Jim has significant experience with Criminal Law and Family Law as well as both legal and practical experience with Business Law, Real Estate, Probate and General Civil Litigation. Jim served as a Korean linguist with the United States Army. This experience allows Jim to more easily navigate cultural and language barriers when resolving legal issues.

I have been serving the legal needs in Muncie and surrounding areas since 2001. The areas of law in which I practice are estates, estate planning, real estate, business, elder law, guardianships and adoptions. I also serve as a Domestic Relations Mediator and as a Guardian Ad Litem.

Aubrey Crist joined Beasley & Gilkison, LLP in April 2020. Previously, she worked at litigation firms in Richmond and Greenfield. Aubrey currently focuses her practice on adoptions, personal injury (including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall, etc.), bankruptcy, family law, estate planning, social security disability, municipal law, and general litigation. Aubrey is originally from Muncie, Indiana, and a 2008 graduate of Muncie Southside High School. Aubrey attended Ball State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Aubrey then attended the University of Dayton School of Law (“UDSL”) in Dayton, Ohio. During her time in law school,...

Facing a divorce or family law matter such as a divorce or any matter involving your children is never easy. It is natural to feel like the weight of the world is against you and you may be looking for a way to ease the stress and worry. Working with a compassionate and caring family law attorney can make all of the difference. Kim Kessinger is a dedicated Senior Associate Attorney with Stange Law Firm, PC. She can represent clients throughout Marion County, IN and the surrounding areas from the firm’s Indianapolis, Indiana office. Kim earned her Juris Doctorate from the...

Christopher L. LaPan practices exclusively as a family lawyer, civil litigator, and mediator. He received his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University in 2009, and is admitted to practice law in the Indiana Supreme Court and the United States District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. He also holds a Masters Degree from Purdue University. Chris is formally trained in collaborative lawyering, and is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. His ability to successfully navigate even the most contentious and complicated divorces to creatively advocate for his clients inspires a fluid transition from being together...

With nearly two decades of experience, Emily approaches issues in a practical and compassionate manner for clients. In her domestic and family law practice, Emily Szaferski concentrates on dissolutions, adoptions, paternity matters, custody disputes, child support issues, and guardianships. She handles various types of adoptions including private, agency and foster adoptions, adoptions that involve the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, and the finalization of international adoptions.

Maria works with the family and domestic law team assisting clients with dissolutions, adoptions and guardianships. The team also is experienced at handling custody and child support issues, paternity issues and acting in the role of a guardian ad litem.

Our firm represents small businesses and families in a wide variety of areas. Some of our main practice areas are litigation, estate planning, general corporate, real estate, probate/will disputes, elder law, and family law.

I am passionate about solving legal problems and helping clients get the outcomes they want.

I am a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law, a member of the National Lawyers’ Guild, and a private practice attorney representing clients in Indiana State and Federal Courts concentrating in Personal Injury Practice, General Civil Litigation and Family Law.

Mr. Churchward’s legal career began at the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s office where he tried cases in both the Misdemeanor and Felony divisions. While serving as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, he was exposed to a wide variety of cases ranging from violent crimes to misdemeanor and financial offenses, during which time he gained invaluable experience that he applies to his current practice. in 2000, Mr. Churchward took a position as an associate attorney at Leonard, Hammond, Thoma and Terrill and immediately began working for his clients with the same dedication that he displayed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney....

Jennifer has a diverse practice ranging from high conflict custody matters and complex divorce actions to collections. She regularly represents clients in Child of Need of Services actions, both as private counsel and Guardian Ad Litem. Jennifer is a registered domestic relations mediator. She is tough but fair, and strives to be at least one step ahead of the other side.

Dave Joley is a Fort Wayne native, graduating from Bishop Dwenger High School in 1996. He is admitted to practice law in the Federal Districts of Northern and Southern Indiana, as well as the State of Indiana. His practice areas include Worker’s Compensation, Personal Injury, and Family Law, with a concentration in Criminal Defense.

Mr. Joley is a previous member of the National College for DUI Defense, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, NORML, past member of Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, American Inns of Court, Benjamin Harrison Chapter, as...

J. Michael Loomis is a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He attended Homestead High School. He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a B.A. in Forensic Studies in 1978. Mike graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1981. Mike served as an aide to U.S. Senators Richard G. Lugar and J. Danforth Quayle from 1981-1983. Mike practiced law in Fort Wayne from 1983-1984 with CAPPELLI & LOOMIS, focusing on business and real estate. In December, 1984 Mike and his wife moved to Indianapolis, where Mike served as a Marion County (Indianapolis) Deputy...

Thomas L. Stucky practices primarily in the area of family law and as a mediator on family law related matters. His practice also includes collection and creditors rights, as well as a general civil litigation practice, real estate transactions, preparation of wills and trusts, and handling of minor and adult guardianship matters.

Tom has also been trained in collaborative lawyering. He obtained his Bachelor of Science from Indiana University in 1978 and Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University in 1981 and is admitted to practice law in the Indiana Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Northern...

Dan is a native of Fort Wayne. With almost 30 years of experience, he has developed a diverse practice. He has extensive experience in family law, estate planning and probate, real estate, personal injury, business formation contract drafting, civil litigation and creditor’s rights. Dan is a registered family law mediator and has received training in collaborative law.

Over 25+ Years experience. Lots of trial experience
Aggressive

When you hire Valerie Horvath get ready to be surprised when she returns your phone calls and emails promptly! Valerie is available for modification of custody, modify child support, child custody, protective order, parenting time, and grandparents' rights cases.

Valerie practices family law - divorce, custody, child support, parenting time, paternity - and criminal defense. Valerie has significant experience in domestic violence, all types of partner abuse, narcissism, protective orders and stalking.

Valerie was a judicial officer in both criminal domestic violence and civil protective order courts for 7 years. Before that, she was a deputy...

I am a senior litigator at Barrow Brown PLLC, a small Kentucky-based divorce and family law firm proudly serving Kentucky and Indiana. We are committed to providing personal and empathic service to those living through divorce. Call me today to see how I can assist you!

With more than seventeen years of legal expertise in the areas of Divorce and Family Law, Louisville, Kentucky-based Hugh W. Barrow is a Founding Partner of Barrow Brown Carrington, PLLC. His mission is to provide personal and empathetic client service to those living through divorce—a lost art among many legal service practices. Working throughout the Louisville region and its surrounding counties, Hugh provides both high-end litigation services and uncontested and other out-of-court divorce solutions. He has represented thousands of clients in litigated cases and won numerous awards for his skilled trial work. He has extensive courtroom and trial experience, and currently...

Indianapolis Criminal Defense and Family Law- Father's Rights Law Firm is led by two attorneys with over 30 years of combined experience. We are not a high volume law firm, and each case will get the attention it deserves. Your case will not be passed down to an associate attorney. Your case will have a secure online portal where you can see all of your documents, upload your own documents, make payments and send secure messages. We do not shy away from court hearings and depositions, and if negotiating a settlement or a plea is in your...

Attorney Bryan L. Ciyou, an Eagle Scout, lives each day on the bedrock principle of the Boy Scout Motto, “Be Prepared.” This way of life – his mantra – was then forged on the anvil of hardships endured during his significant humanitarian aid work in places like Haiti and Central America. In these countries, making a plan and executing it, and always being prepared, was not a choice but a necessity in order to survive daily life.A few years later, Mr. Ciyou attended Indiana University, Indianapolis, completing the honors program and graduating with a bachelor of arts, with distinction, in...

Marion County and all surrounding counties, Probate Lawyer, focusing on contested disputes involving: estates, trusts, probate, guardianships in all Indiana state and federal courts. Administrative Law Judge, Indiana, 1974-83. Frequent Special Judge, major felony jury trials (1992-2011, 2016-2018). Frequent Indiana Supreme Court Hearing Officer, attorney discipline matters 2013-2020. Frequent court-appointed estate, guardian and trust fiduciary. Mediator. Admitted, United States Supreme Court, 1991-2024. Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, (1999-2024). Martindale-Hubble Rating, AV (1999-2024).

Charles "Charlie" Brown is a Louisville native and graduate of duPont Manual High School. He studied psychology at Bellarmine University and law at Valparaiso University School of Law. In fear of another Northwest Indiana winter, Charlie returned to Louisville after his graduation from law school. After law school, Charlie was first a Staff Attorney for a family court judge, and after that an Associate Attorney in a Louisville law firm. Seeing ample opportunity for innovation in the practice of law, and with some encouragement from Dad, Charlie struck out on his own. Charlie focused on offering those seeking a divorce...