Longstreet Law LLC

Can AI replace a lawyer during divorce litigation?

2026-01-07T16:30:17Z

For many people, a divorce may be the only time that they ever see the inside of a courtroom. People navigating the end of a marriage are often eager to secure favorable terms. However, their main priorities may also be resolving the matter as quickly as possible and keeping their costs as low as they can. Some spouses preparing for divorce intentionally choose to forego legal representation during divorces because they think they can represent themselves. Digital technology has made pro se filings more accessible, as people can research the law and judicial precedents from the comfort of their own homes. With the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) for problem-solving and writing, some people might consider working with AI instead of hiring a lawyer during a divorce. That approach may not be as effective as people might hope.

AI is far from perfect

Despite what the name implies, artificial intelligence is not actually thinking for itself. It is simply a highly responsive search program capable of producing in-depth original responses in writing. AI software is less than reliable when researching complex legal matters, such as divorce statutes and prior court rulings. In some cases, there have even been records of AI completely fabricating prior court cases that do not exist. Spouses who rely on AI may have unrealistic expectations about divorce or may submit highly inaccurate paperwork to the courts, which can extend the timeline for the divorce and put them in an unfavorable position when negotiating later.

How lawyers can help

Professional legal representation is invaluable during a divorce. Every case is unique, and an attorney familiar with the law and prior rulings can help people make sense of their circumstances. A legal professional’s insight can be valuable as people set priorities and prepare for negotiations. Instead of facing the risk of embarrassing mistakes, significant delays and future controversy, those who work with attorneys can proceed with confidence. An attorney can also help people strategize and keep their focus on their goals. AI cannot provide that kind of guidance. Spouses who work with lawyers can feel confident that the paperwork they submit is accurate and that they have fulfilled all of the necessary requirements for each stage of the divorce process. It can be much more expensive to go back and correct prior mistakes or to respond to post-decree modification requests than it may be to manage everything appropriately from the earliest stages of the divorce process. Sitting down to discuss one’s marital estate and expectations for divorce with a skilled legal team can be helpful for those who want to divorce quickly and to keep their costs reasonable.

How expungement can facilitate a young person’s education and career

2025-10-01T20:15:01Z

Life is full of twists and turns, and sometimes, young people make mistakes that can leave a lasting impact. In Indiana, young adult offenders (aged 18-24 at the time of the offense) may have their criminal records expunged after fulfilling their court-ordered sentences. This process offers a fresh start, allowing them to pursue educational and career opportunities that a criminal record might otherwise hinder. An expungement is not the same as having a record sealed. Sealed records are still accessible to law enforcement and certain other entities, while expunged records are essentially erased from the public eye. This means that background checks conducted by employers, schools and housing authorities will not reveal the expunged offense.

The roadblocks of a criminal record

Unfortunately, a criminal record can be a significant barrier for young adults seeking to build a brighter future. Many colleges and universities consider an applicant's criminal history during admissions. An expunged record removes this obstacle, potentially increasing young adults' chances of securing a coveted spot in their desired program. Many employers conduct background checks as part of the hiring process. An expunged record allows a young adult to compete fairly for jobs without the stigma of a past offense. This is especially crucial for certain professions requiring licensure or stricter background check requirements. Landlords often perform background checks on potential tenants. An expunged record helps prevent a young adult's past from unfairly affecting their ability to secure safe and secure housing.

Expungement: A path to a brighter future

By removing the stain of a criminal record, expungement empowers young adults to pursue their educational and professional goals confidently. With an expunged record, young adults can apply to colleges and universities without fearing their past will disqualify them. This opens doors to higher education, a key factor in achieving better career prospects and financial stability. An expunged record allows young adults to be judged based on their merits and qualifications, not a past mistake. This levels the playing field and increases their chances of landing their dream job. Expungement can improve a young adult's overall well-being. By removing the burden of a criminal record, they can confidently move forward and participate fully in society. The eligibility criteria and process for expungement vary depending on the nature of the offense and the sentence imposed. In Indiana, young adults may be eligible to expunge certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies after completing their sentence, probation and any court-ordered restitution. Young adults can benefit from consulting with a reliable legal team to understand the specifics of their situation and determine their eligibility.

3 ways a criminal record can impact an Indiana resident

2025-10-01T20:15:23Z

Those accused of criminal activity, especially those facing non-violent charges, often decide to plead guilty. People don't want to go to trial even when they maintain that they did not break the law. They think that pleading guilty is the fastest and simplest way to resolve the criminal charges they face. While a guilty plea is certainly more expedient than a trial at which someone attempts to fight criminal charges, the possible penalties are still a real concern. Anyone convicted of a criminal infraction in Indiana could face penalties ranging from driver's license suspension to incarceration. They also have a criminal record that can affect their life for the indefinite future. Some people in Indiana are eligible for the expungement of their criminal records. The consequences of having a criminal record may make the effort involved in expungement worthwhile. Expungement, for those who are eligible, can mitigate or eliminate the following challenges associated with having a criminal record.

Reduced employment opportunities

Even entry-level positions in the service industry typically require a background check. Someone hoping to work as a server or a cashier could lose out on opportunities because of a prior criminal conviction. Getting a job isn't the only concern. Some employers terminate workers who get convicted during their employment. Businesses may also perform background checks when considering people for promotions. Blemishes on someone's criminal record can hold them back from many opportunities in the workplace.

Educational challenges

Background checks are also commonplace during college and graduate school application processing. Most institutions of higher education perform background checks before extending an offering enrollment to prospective students. They may also have student codes of conduct that allow them to expel enrolled students convicted during their enrollment at the institution. Additionally, both government financial aid programs and private scholarship organizations may consider someone's criminal record when determining their eligibility for financial aid.

Difficulty with housing and insurance

Many landlords perform background checks before renting to a new tenant. Those with convictions may have a harder time finding a place to live, especially with the rental market being so competitive. Even insurance providers may treat people differently after a criminal conviction. Those with criminal records may end up paying more for car insurance or could have a very hard time obtaining life insurance. After a brush with the criminal justice system, the only way to avoid all penalties is to remove the blemish on someone's permanent record. Understanding the negative impacts a criminal record can have on someone's life may help them understand why in Indiana expungement is worth pursuing.

2 ways money and divorce are often connected

2023-10-27T16:20:19Z

Issues related to money are some of the main reasons cited by couples as why they’ve chosen to divorce. There are numerous ways that money and financial issues can lead to divorce. What people tend to assume is that “financial issues” relate to a lack of finances or a lack of income. This is why divorce sometimes happens after one person loses their job, for instance, and tensions within a family rise as a result of that turn of events. Yet, this isn’t the only way that money can inspire a divorce. Two other issues commonly drive wedges between spouses in ways that may prove irreconcilable.

Financial security can lead to divorce

Interestingly, there is some evidence that being wealthy may actually increase the odds that a couple will get divorced. Rather than splitting up because of financial instability, the complexities that accompany wealth can inspire tension and ready access to resources can render spouses more likely to exercise their right to freedom in the event that their marriage becomes unhappy and/or unhealthy. After all, if two people each earn $20,000 a year, it may be very difficult to make ends meet, and they might stay in an unhappy marriage out of necessity. They can’t reasonably afford to go off on their own. But if both people earn $1 million a year and can easily support themselves, they can potentially move on from their relationship without feeling any significant financial pressure.

Differences of opinion

Next, people sometimes “simply” disagree about how they view money or have different opinions regarding how they should use that money as a couple. It’s not that they don’t have enough, but just that they see the issue of money very differently. Say that one spouse prefers to use the money that they earn quickly, spending it on various purchases without too much thought. The other spouse likes to save money and gives a lot of thought to everything that they buy, not wanting to feel like they wasted it on something frivolous. It doesn’t matter which person is “right.” The issue is that they are looking at money in a completely different way, and so the marriage may not work in the long run if thoughtful compromises and approaches can’t be crafted between the spouses in question.

Getting a divorce

When couples do decide to get a divorce, there are a lot of financial questions to ask about dividing assets and debt. Each spouses need to be well aware of all of their rights and options, so seeking legal guidance as proactively as possible tends to be a sound approach.

3 estate planning inclusions to reduce family conflict

2023-09-29T09:09:24Z

It is common for people to worry about their most valuable property and the care of their dependent family members when estate planning. It is certainly true that an estate plan should address someone's most expensive property and the family members who will require legal and financial support if they die. However, there are also many additional details that could lead to challenges and even disputes among beneficiaries after someone dies. Looking beyond just the most valuable property in an estate may give someone a chance to create a more profound legacy and limit the risk of conflict that could arise among the people they love while they’re grieving. The following considerations often help limit interpersonal conflict during estate administration.

Residuary clauses

Addressing one's biggest assets is obviously a beneficial decision that will prevent loved ones from fighting over real property and financial accounts. However, it is common for people to overlook their less-valuable belongings, like their personal possessions. Housewares, furniture and even clothing might lead to disagreements among loved ones if people don't plan for these resources before their death. Adding a residuary clause that addresses any remaining property not specifically named in the estate plan can limit the likelihood of those assets causing a conflict later.

A no-contest clause

When those who expect to inherit from an estate feel disappointed about what they receive or frustrated about what others inherit, they might decide to take the matter to court. People may raise claims of undue influence or question someone's testamentary capacity because they are unhappy with what they inherited. Testators can add no-contest clauses to testamentary documents like wills so that frivolous litigation will lead to a penalty, possibly the disinheritance of the person bringing the challenge.

Trusts

Wills can achieve many of an individual's estate planning goals, but they are vulnerable to litigation. While trust litigation is also possible, it is generally more difficult for individuals to challenge a trust than it is to challenge a will. Trusts also provide more control for a testator and allow them to describe the various uses that they approve for inherited property or limits on when and how people can access their inheritance. Utilizing the right tools and planning ahead of time may allow individuals to significantly reduce the likelihood of a challenge against their estate affecting family relationships and diminishing the legacy they hope to leave behind. Planning carefully to reduce conflict is especially beneficial for those with large estates and/or complicated family circumstances.

How long does child support usually last in Indiana?

2023-09-29T09:09:31Z

When married parents divorce or unmarried parents start living separately, child support is almost always legally required. Child support obligations can put a lot of pressure on someone's budget, but they can also help ensure a basic standard of living for someone's children. How long do people typically have to pay child support in Indiana?

Support lasts until specific milestones

For most families, child support ends with adulthood or high school graduation. There are a few scenarios in which child support can potentially end immediately. These include when a child dies or in rare cases involving children who pursue emancipation. Otherwise, child support payments in Indiana will typically last either until a child graduates from high school or until they turn 19. If a young adult drops out of school, the parent paying support can sometimes seek to end their support when the child is 18. Obviously, young adults who are only 19 years old are often still financially dependent on their parents. In some cases, adults can acknowledge that fact and reach their own agreement with one another about supporting their children as they transition to adulthood or start college. However, if they are unable to reach an agreement, the courts typically will not order child support that persists through the college years.

Support discussions should focus on the children

The parent paying support all too often focuses more on how the arrangement seems unfair to them instead of on how it likely benefits their children. Sometimes, the parent receiving support makes it a personal issue instead of a practical one about what is best for the children. Adults may have an easier time avoiding conflict with one another and working cooperatively on behalf of their children if they can set their feelings about one another aside and focus on the next generation. Instead of making unreasonable demands or resenting their obligations, they can keep the focus on what their children need. Understanding the rules that govern Indiana child support orders can help parents avoid unnecessary conflict related to matters that they likely cannot change anyway.

Tips for disinheriting someone

2023-10-25T10:34:31Z

Disinheriting someone can be a controversial process, and it is not something that most people do lightly. Doing so means removing a direct heir from your estate plan, so that someone who expected to inherit assets from you will not get anything.

It’s generally assumed that this is done for a negative reason. For example, maybe a parent and a child had a falling out when they were younger and have not spoken in decades. But there are also positive reasons to disinherit someone. Perhaps that person is doing so well financially that they don’t need an inheritance, and it can be better used by distributing the money to their siblings. No matter why you want to do it, here are some tips that can help.

Make it official with documentation

First of all, make sure that you have an estate plan and that it addresses exactly what you would like to have happen. Put documentation making your wishes known into this plan. For example, instead of simply not mentioning the person, add a disinheritance clause to say that you fully know that they are being left out of the estate plan. This can limit the chances that the heir will dispute that plan because they can’t claim that this goes against your wishes or that it was simply an oversight. You may also consider a No Contest clause.

Talk to them in advance

Along similar lines, it may help to talk to the individual and tell them why you’ve made the decision long before the will is read. If they have any questions about it, then the two of you can talk about it together. This doesn’t ensure that they will be happy with that decision, but it does reduce the odds of a dispute yet again.

Leave a letter explaining your choices

Naturally, if you and your heir are estranged, you may not be able to talk in person. In a situation like this, you can add a letter to your estate plan that simply explains the decisions that you have made. This can help to show that those actually are your official decisions, and it can also answer some of your heir’s questions about why you took that action.

As you can see, communication and planning are the most important elements here. Be sure you know exactly what legal steps you can take.

Is your spouse hiding digital assets?

2023-09-15T08:38:59Z

A few decades ago, the digital currency became a small trend that bloomed into a massive and highly successful tool. Now, people use credit cards, online banking or payment apps to transfer money digitally from one device to the next without so much as seeing a bank teller. Digital money has grown so much that many people use it to invest in digital assets such as cryptocurrency or NFTs. Your spouse may have invested in some kind of digital asset during your marriage. You may not have known what it was at the time, but you do know it’s a marital asset. Now that you're considering a divorce, you may want to know if digital assets are included in an asset division. Here’s what you should know:

What are digital assets?

First, to better understand if digital assets are included in an asset division, you may want to better understand what they are. Cryptocurrency and NFTs are digital investments allowing investors to profit from their appreciation later in life. Cryptocurrency and NFTs don’t work the same, however. Cryptocurrencies work much like the fluctuating value of gold. As more people invest in cryptocurrency, the less value new crypto-coin is worth and the more value old crypto is worth. Eventually, people who cash out on their investments can trade their crypto-coins for other forms of crypto or real monetary value of equal exchange. NFTs, conversely, are much like valuable paintings – in fact, NFTs are a type of digital artwork. When someone purchases an NFT, they technically own a one-of-a-kind original artwork. Unlike cryptocurrency, which can typically be traded for with other forms of crypto, NFTs can’t be traded with other NFTs, but can be sold and bought.

How do cryptocurrency and NFTs affect your divorce?

Digital assets, when purchased during a marriage, are typically included in the marital assets. Because of this, when spouses seek a divorce, they must include any digital investments in the asset division plan. When seeking a divorce, you may want to know what digital assets your spouse is hiding. It won’t exactly be easy if your spouse isn’t willing to give up their investments so easily. You may need to consider reaching out for legal help to know your options.

Do your children get a say in custody arrangements?

2023-09-15T08:39:02Z

Your kids are all different ages. Now that you’re going through a divorce, you want them to have some control over what happens in terms of physical custody, but you also know what you and the other parent think is the right arrangement. Your youngest children may not care where they go, but your two teens have strong opinions. One, 17 now, is ready to go away to college and doesn’t want to have a custody schedule at all. They’re busy working, seeing friends and participating in school events. The younger teen can’t drive yet, but they’ve stated their preference to live with their father most of the time, since his home is closer to the school. In both your and the other parent’s opinion, you should have custody of the younger children during the week. Does that mean you should have custody of everyone, though? What about the older children’s opinions and wishes?

Sometimes, split custody is an option

This might be a good time to talk about splitting up custody for a while. If your older children are comfortable being at their father’s home, for example, and the younger children can be with you, then you could split custody and allow them to stay in those places during the week. Then, you could alternate weekends, so the siblings could all see each other at that time. Other times, split custody may not be the right choice. Maybe you don’t want to split up your children, or maybe what your kids want isn’t what’s going to work for you and the other parent. In that case, you may want to sit down with your children and go over the plan you and the other parent think is best. They may disagree, so listen to their reasoning and then decide if any changes need to be made. Custody decisions are harder with children of multiple ages. It is necessary to set up a parenting plan and custody schedule, though, regardless of the ages of your minor children. The court will want to see your plan and make sure you know where your children are at all times.

Can the court force the sale of property during divorce?

2023-09-15T08:39:04Z

It is not an uncommon scenario: one party to divorce wants to sell the marital property, the other does not. What happens? Can the court force the sale of the property? The answer depends on the timing of the request and also the state. The following applies specifically to Indiana, as family law matters are generally governed by state law.

Before the parties finalize the divorce

There are situations when a party to the divorce can get a provisional – or temporary – order for a request during the divorce process. These orders are court orders that generally apply shortly after one party files for divorce. Examples of provisional orders allowed by Indiana law during a divorce generally include orders for:

Temporary maintenance
Temporary support or custody of a child from the marriage
Possession of property
Counseling
Protective orders

Case in point

The courts recently addressed how to handle a request for a provisional order for the sale of a home in Rambo v. Rambo. In this divorce case, a wife asked for an order to sell the marital residence. The husband pushed back and instead asked for temporary, exclusive possession of the property. The wife pointed to concerns about serious mold infestation within the home, making it uninhabitable and decreasing the value of the property. She stated that funds from the sale could help cover the cost of a mediator and other fees associated with the divorce. The husband countered that he had spent his retirement savings redoing the shop attached to the home so he could work from home and had not had an issue with the mold. Upon review of the evidence, the lower court agreed with the wife and ordered the couple to sell the property. The husband appealed this decision. The Court of Appeals reviewed the case and stated the provisional order to sell the marital residence was contrary to state law. Instead, the Court of Appeals noted that state law provides for possession of property as a form of relief with a provisional court order, but not the sale of property. Since sale of property is not specifically listed as an option for relief in the law as listed above, the Court of Appeals stated it could not order the sale. It could, however, order the possession of property. As such, it reversed the order to sell the marital residence. This leads to a second question: What if both parties agree to the sale during the period after filing for divorce but before finalizing the divorce? The Court of Appeals included a footnote that specifically addressed this situation, noting the holding was limited to cases where one or both parties to the divorce objected to the sale. If both agreed, the sale could move forward.

After the parties finalize the divorce

It is important to point out that state law allows the court to govern the distribution of marital property subject to the dissolution of the marriage upon the finalization of the action. The case above looked specifically at that time period between filing for divorce and finalizing the divorce. The court cannot require the sale over the other party’s objections at that point in time – but it can as part of the final divorce decree. The law specifically states that the court can order the sale of the property “under such conditions as the court prescribes and dividing the proceeds of the sale” between the parties as it deems fit as part of the final property settlement agreement. Property division can be a contentious issue in any divorce. An experienced family law attorney can help individuals going through a divorce to understand their rights in this process.