Huntertown Family Lawyers

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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....

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...

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...

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.

Jennifer Naue attended IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law. After living in Indianapolis for a few years, Jennifer Naue practiced in White County and Benton County before making the move to Kosciusko County to be closer to her family. Jennifer invested in the community and strives for excellence in her legal representation. Jennifer Naue practices primarily in Kosciusko County and Marshall County, but for certain legal issues she can provide legal services across Indiana. Upon admission to practice law, Jennifer Naue began her legal career as a staff attorney for the Department of Child Services. After working for the State...

Attorney Heidi R Cortez was raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she still has family. She graduated from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis with a degree in Forensic and Investigative Sciences with an emphasis in Biology. While obtaining her degree, she interned at Marion County Coroners Office. She went on to obtain her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law – Houston. During law school, she interned with the Harris County Prosecutor's Office in Houston, Texas. Additionally, she was a legal assistant at the Law Office of Perry Bass in Houston, Texas. After graduating from law school...

John M. Acosta Jr. was born and raised in Southern California. In July 1996, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a Military Police Officer for almost two years, with his remaining three years as a Military Police K-9 Officer, at various military installations and was honorably discharged. In 2001, he pursued a career in law enforcement. He spent almost twelve years with various Police and Sheriff’s Offices throughout the State of Georgia. During that time, he worked as a patrol officer and was eventually promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As a U.S. Army Military Police...

If you disagree with a final court order, you have 30 days to challenge it by Notice of Appeal or Motion to Correct Errors. Consultations for these requests receive immediate response. My focus is on the efficient and cost-effective realization of YOUR vision of family life after litigation. I’ve been licensed in Indiana state and Federal courts since 1993, and also had licenses in Illinois and Pennsylvania (both voluntarily inactive). My areas of focus are family law, mediation and appeals. Let’s use the law and courts as tools to help .your family for once.

Born and raised in Mishawaka, Spence joined the firm in 1979. He counsels clients in the areas of domestic and family law, commercial litigation, mediation and personal injury and wrongful death cases. During his career, he’s served as President of the St. Joseph County and Indiana State Bar Associations. He sits on the Mishawaka Education Foundation, and received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor O’Bannon in 2002.

From guiding you through issues concerning the impact on your children, division of assets and debt responsibilities of each party, legal requirements and rights, martial contracts, retirement account division, valuation of business interest and farm, commercial and residential real estate. I offer legal counsel in such domestic law matters as: Divorce Adoption Paternity Marriage Custody and Parenting Time Mediation Services Prenuptial Agreements

After graduating from law school with honors, Mr. Avnet began practicing insurance defense litigation in Hamilton County, Indiana for several years. Next, Mr. Avnet practiced transportation law at the largest transportation law firm in the country, defending trucking companies in large loss negligence and wrongful death suits around the country. Prior to forming Avnet Law, Mr. Avnet returned to Hamilton County to practice personal injury law, family law, and criminal law.

Currently, Mr. Avnet regularly practices trial court litigation in state and federal courts. His practice is devoted to serving clients on a wide variety of legal issues, but concentrates his...