top of page

PRACTICE AREAS

BUSINESS LAW

Contracts
Mergers
Real Estate
Business Formations
Corporate Law

Individuals and families often come to us wanting to start a new business. We can guide you through the process of selecting the best type of business entity for you. We draft all the necessary business documents and assist your business entity as needed with questions, concerns, and changes over time. Our attorneys also have experience advising clients about creating non-profit and charitable organizations. We can assist with the formation of a charitable organization, approval of tax exempt status, and continued compliance with applicable laws.

​

The attorneys at JMS handle a wide variety of real estate matters, including representing individuals and businesses with the sale or purchase of residential or commercial properties. Our attorneys also have experience with condemnation matters, 1031 exchanges, zoning and use variances and appeals, easements, and rights-of-way.

Civil Litigation

Banking & Commercial Law
Foreclosures
Plaintiff Personal Injury
Property Disputes

We handle creditor bankruptcy representation, foreclosures, creditor work for banks, and creditor collection matters.

 

Our attorneys have substantial experience handling a variety of civil litigation matters, including business and commercial matters, real estate, and contract disputes.  In addition, if you have been injured in an automobile or other type of accident, we can assist you in obtaining appropriate compensation for lost wages, health care expenses, and pain and suffering.

ELDER LAW & MEDICAID PLANNING

Advance Directives
Guardianships
Medicaid Planning

As our population ages, and as people continue to live longer through medical advances, struggling with the legal needs of older adults will impact most families in some way. We assist families with a wide range of elder law issues, including drafting estate planning documents, preparing advance directives, guardianships for incapacitated elderly adults, and Medicaid planning and applications if an elderly person requires long-term nursing home care.

​

Medicaid is a federal program administered by the states. The rules and regulations that govern Medicaid are complex and constantly changing. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid is a means-tested benefit program, and the eligibility requirements are different for single individuals and married couples. We can help guide you through the Medicaid maze. Our Medicaid team of attorneys and paralegals will not only help develop a plan for Medicaid eligibility, but we will also assist you with the application process

ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE

Trusts
Wills
Power of Attorneys
Healthcare Directives
Estate Management
Property Management

Estate planning is important because it gives you control. During your lifetime, with advance directives like a power of attorney, appointment of health care representative, and living will declaration, you have control over who will make important decisions on your behalf in the event you become incapacitated. Upon your death, with a carefully drafted Last Will and Testament or Revocable Trust, you have control over the disposition of your assets to your loved ones or charities. The attorneys at JMS specialize in estate planning and can assist you with all of your estate planning needs. Please fill out our client information form to get started.


When a loved one dies, the attorneys at JMS can assist you with the process of transferring assets owned by the decedent to those set forth in any estate planning documents. If the decedent died without a will or trust, then Indiana law dictates who receives the property. Our attorneys have substantial experience with probate, trusts administration, federal estate tax and Indiana inheritance tax.

FAMILY LAW

Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
Divorce
Custody
Parenting Time
Child support
Post secondary
Education Expenses
Adoptions
Guardian ad Litem
Mediation
 

At Jones, McGlasson & Siefers, we help families resolve issues related to divorce, child custody, child support, and adoption. Maryann Williams can fully explain the entire divorce process with you. She will work with you to seek a fair settlement with your spouse, and she may use mediation to work out agreements for children and property:

​

  • Child custody

  • Child support

  • Parenting time

  • Property division

​

Post Decree (divorce) Modifications or Enforcements:

Jones McGlasson & Siefers also assists clients in modifying or enforcing the divorce decrees.  Called a Post-Decree Modification, you can change or modify areas in your divorce decree involving custody, parenting time, child support or post secondary education expenses if a change in circumstances has occurred.  we can also assist clients in enforcing a divorce decree in any of its provisions. Types of circumstances that may be eligible for a Post-Decree Modification may include a remarriage, new job, loss of job, or relocation. JMS can also help you with discontinuing child support payments when your child becomes independent. You cannot just stop making payments; you will need to go back to court. If your child is now married, is living independently outside the home, or is over 19, we can petition for the court to acknowledge the child's emancipation and legally end your obligation to pay child support for that child.

 

Have questions?  We can help.

​

Adoptions & Paternities:

Adoption is a process that transfers permanent rights from the biological parent/parents to the adoptive parent/ parents. Whether you are a family member wanting to adopt another’s child(ren) or a step-parent wanting to adopt your step-child, or if you are considering a private adoption, JMS can guide you through the legal process.

​

Paternity of a child should be established if the child’s parents decide they do not want to get married. Paternity establishes parental rights and obligations for the parents. Other issues that can be addressed at the same time paternity is established are the legal and physical custody of the child, parenting time, name changes and support. Have questions?  We can help.

​

​

MEDIATION

Contracts
Real Estate
Probate
Business 
Corporate
Personal Injury
Landlord/Tenant

There is nothing more stressful, time consuming or expensive than litigation.  Just ask anyone who has ever been involved with a lawsuit.  Because of this, mediation is rapidly becoming the first choice of parties facing a conflict they cannot seem to settle themselves. Instead of going to court, mediation provides them with a less stressful, less expensive, and less time-consuming alternative to litigation.

 

In mediation, the parties will meet with the mediator, a neutral third party.  ​The role of the mediator, rather than making a judgment in favor of one party at the expense of the other, is to be a neutral third party who facilitates the communication between the parties and guides the process toward a satisfactory settlement for all concerned.

​

A mediation typically begins with a joint session with the mediator explaining the fundamentals of the mediation process and establishing the communication guidelines.  After the mediator’s opening statement, each party is typically invited to give their perspective on the issue at hand.  Once both parties have spoken, the mediator will separate each group and meet with each group in private to discuss the case and to further explore the needs and interests of each party as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each side of the case.

​

As the process continues, the job of the mediator is to guide the communication in such a way that the give-and-take between the two parties leads to a mutually-agreed upon settlement. As you might have guessed, compromise is key.  If a resolution is reached, a Settlement Agreement is prepared by the mediator and each party will execute it.  At that point, the mediation, and the dispute, are over.  If a settlement is not reached, the dispute continues alo

 

There are many advantages to mediation. Generally it takes less time than going to court, and as a result, costs substantially less. Additionally, the process is completely confidential, unlike most court proceedings, which are open to the public.  Please remember that mediation can be entered into before a suit is filed, during litigation, or even during the appeals process.

​

​

bottom of page