How is property divided in an Indiana divorce?

Indiana follows an equitable-distribution approach to dividing marital property, but with a distinctive feature: Indiana law begins from a presumption that an equal, fifty-fifty division of the marital estate is just and reasonable. A spouse who believes an unequal division is warranted may rebut that presumption by presenting evidence about relevant factors — such as each spouse’s contribution to acquiring the property, the economic circumstances of each spouse, and the source of particular assets. The marital estate in Indiana is broad, generally including property owned by either spouse whether acquired before or during the marriage. Because the presumption is a starting point rather than a fixed rule, and because valuing and characterizing assets can be complex, mediation gives spouses a setting to work through the financial picture and reach a division both understand and accept.