A significant change in Indiana family law affects how trial courts record child custody decisions. House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1626 went into effect on July 1, 2025. This law requires trial courts to provide detailed, written reasons for their rulings. Judges can no longer issue brief orders; they must explain the evidence behind final custody decisions.
Findings of fact and legal conclusions
The law, found under Indiana Code § 31-17-2-8.2, applies to any final order that grants, changes, or denies child custody. The court is required to provide detailed findings of fact and conclusions of law, indicating that the judge must outline the evidence and testimony considered in determining the “best interests of the child.”
Trial judges must connect these facts to legal conclusions. While these rules apply to final judgments, the law does not require this level of detail for preliminary or temporary orders.
Transparency for parents and appellate review
This update allows parents to see the court’s logic. The law requires a written record of all factors the judge considered, which provides a clearer look at how decisions follow state standards. This change also shifts the requirements for the appeals process:
- Clarity: Parents receive a full explanation of the custody arrangement
- Appeals: Written findings allow lawyers to identify specific legal or factual errors
- Appellate rules: If a case reaches an appeals court, that court must also list the specific facts it used to reach its decision
These procedural requirements change how attorneys prepare for trial and present evidence to the court.
Preparing for the new litigation landscape
Judges must now write more detailed orders. As a result, final hearings and the resulting decrees may take more time. Attorneys must focus on presenting evidence that builds a clear trial record.
Legal strategy should focus on detailed testimony, such as how a child adjusts to their home, school, and community. The court is required to address these factors in writing. Custody hearings in late 2025 and 2026 will center on written proof and specific judicial results.
