Ind. Elkhart Cnty. Local Rule LR20-FL00-412

412.1. Dissolution, Separation, Custody and Support Cases

Pleadings in dissolution, separation, custody, and support proceedings shall be captioned with non-adversarial language in case captioning and pleadings. To facilitate the problem solving and cooperative

model, parties shall be referred to using non-adversarial language; that is, “child” “mother,” “father,”

“putative father,” “guardian,” “de facto custodians,” “intervenors” and similar non-adversarial language

should be used instead of “petitioner,” “respondent,” “plaintiff,” or “defendant,” and “versus” should not

be used in the captions of any family cases involving children. Caption shall be: In Re Marriage of (blank

line) _______________.

All pleadings in marital dissolution and separation cases without children may be captioned, "In Re the

Marriage of (blank line) __________ and using “Husband” and “Wife” as non- adversarial language.

In same sex marriages non-adversarial language followed by the person’s name, such as: “Husband

Smith” and “Husband Jones” or “Wife Smith” and “Wife Jones.”

Pleadings should include when requested the preferred pronoun of a party.

412.2. Paternity Cases

Pleadings in paternity proceedings will be captioned with non-adversarial language in case captioning and

pleadings. To facilitate the problem solving and cooperative model, parties shall be referred to using non-adversarial language; that is, “child” “mother,” “father,” “putative father,” “guardian, “de facto

custodians” “intervenors” and similar non-adversarial language should be used instead of “petitioner,”

“respondent,” “plaintiff,” or “defendant,” and “versus” should not be used in the captions of any family

cases involving children. Caption shall be: In Re Paternity of (blank line) _______________.