Ind. Code ch. 31-12-1.5

in effect

Ind. Code § 31-12-1.5-1 Determination of necessity to establish court

Sec. 1. (a) This chapter applies in a judicial circuit in which a majority of the judges of the circuit and superior courts determine that: (1) the social conditions of the county; and (2) the number of domestic relations cases in the courts; make the procedures described in IC 31-12-1 necessary for the full and proper consideration of domestic relations cases. (b) The judges shall make the determination described in subsection (a) annually in January. As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 31-12-1.5-2 Designation of judges; sessions of court

Sec. 2. If the judges of a judicial circuit make the determination described in section 1 of this chapter, the judges shall designate by joint order one (1) or more of the judges in the judicial circuit to hear cases under this chapter. A judge designated under this section may hold as many sessions each week as are necessary for the prompt disposition of the court's business. As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 31-12-1.5-3 Designation of court

Sec. 3. A court exercising the jurisdiction described in section 2 of this chapter may be designated as a domestic relations court. As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 31-12-1.5-4 Jurisdiction; supplemental powers

Sec. 4. A court designated as a domestic relations court under section 3 of this chapter has the jurisdiction and special powers described in IC 31-12-1-4. A court designated as a domestic relations court under this chapter, IC 31-12-1, or IC 31-12-2 retains jurisdiction to hear any type of case the court had jurisdiction to hear before the court was designated as a domestic relations court. As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 31-12-1.5-5 Absence or inability of judge to perform duties; appointment of substitute

Sec. 5. (a) If a judge appointed to act as judge of the domestic relations court is: (1) on vacation; (2) absent; or (3) for any reason unable to perform the judge's duties; a majority of the judges of the superior and circuit courts may appoint another of the judges to act as judge of the domestic relations court during that period. (b) A judge appointed under subsection (a) has all the powers and authority of the regularly presiding judge of the domestic relations court. As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 31-12-1.5-6 Application of domestic relations courts provisions

Sec. 6. IC 31-12-1-6 through IC 31-12-1-16 apply to a domestic relations court established under this chapter. As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 31-12-1.5-7 Domestic relations counseling appointments

Sec. 7. (a) The judges of the circuit and superior courts may appoint: (1) a director of domestic relations counseling; or (2) at least one (1) counselor under this chapter or under IC 31-12-1. (b) A counselor described in subsection (a)(2) or the organization led by the director described in subsection (a)(1) is designated as a domestic relations counseling bureau. As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026