Additional Services
Adoption, Guardianship and DCS Court Help in Northwest Indiana
Some legal matters do not fit neatly into an injury or criminal case. Vollmer Law Group helps families in Lake, Porter and surrounding Northwest Indiana counties with adoptions, guardianships, DCS court cases, and limited-scope (unbundled) legal help. These matters are billed hourly, and we explain our rates and how billing works before any work begins.
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Guardianships
A guardianship gives a person legal authority to make decisions for someone who cannot make them alone, such as a child whose parents are unavailable or an adult who can no longer manage their own care or finances.
How it works:
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We review your situation and confirm whether a guardianship is the right tool, or whether something simpler, like a power of attorney, would work.
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We prepare and file the petition with the court.
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The people the law requires are given notice of the case.
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The judge holds a hearing and decides whether to appoint a guardian.
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If appointed, the guardian receives court papers (letters of guardianship) and may need to file reports with the court afterward.
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Adoptions
We help families complete adoptions, including stepparent adoptions, relative adoptions and adult adoptions.
How it works:
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We review who needs to consent to the adoption and whether any consent can be waived.
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We prepare and file the adoption petition.
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Any required background checks, home study or reports are completed.
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The court holds a final hearing.
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The judge signs the adoption decree, and a new birth certificate can be requested.
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DCS Court (CHINS cases)
When the Indiana Department of Child Services opens a case, families often end up in court in a "Child in Need of Services" (CHINS) case. These cases move quickly and the decisions made early can shape what happens later.
We help parents and family members understand the case plan, prepare for hearings, and know what the court and DCS expect at each step.
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Unbundled (Limited-Scope) Legal Help
Not every case needs a lawyer from start to finish. With unbundled services, you hire us for a specific part of your case, and you handle the rest yourself. Because you pay only for the time spent on the parts you hire us for, this can keep the cost down.
Examples of what we can do:
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Review court papers and explain what they mean
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Draft or review documents before you file them
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Coach you on what to expect at a hearing
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Appear with you for one specific hearing
Before any work starts, we agree in writing on exactly what we will and will not do.
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What we do not handle
We do not take full-representation divorce or custody cases. If you are handling a divorce or custody matter on your own and need help with one part of it, ask about unbundled services.
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Common questions
What is the difference between a guardianship and a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is signed by a person who can still make their own decisions and chooses someone to act for them. A guardianship is ordered by a court when a person cannot make those decisions, or for a child whose parents are not available.
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How much does this cost?
These matters are billed hourly. We explain our rates and how billing works before any work begins.
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Can you just review my paperwork?
Yes. Reviewing documents and explaining your options is one of the most common unbundled services we provide.
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Do you handle divorce or custody cases?
Not as full representation. We can help with a specific part of a case you are handling yourself through unbundled services.
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Talk to us about your situation
Call (219) 587-5641 or send a message below. Tell us briefly what is going on and which county your case is in, and a staff member will call you back as soon as possible during office hours.