(317) 262-1000
Offers Video Conferencing
Tap to Call This Lawyer
PREMIUM
Clarissa Finnell

Clarissa Finnell

Schultz & Pogue LLP
  • Divorce, Family Law, Arbitration & Mediation
  • Indiana
Review This Lawyer
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileOffers Video ConferencingQ&ALII GoldSocial Media
Biography

Clarissa Finnell is an attorney with Schultz & Pogue. Ms. Finnell practices exclusively in the area of family law, representing clients with cases including legal separation, divorce, child support, child custody, paternity, parenting time, modification and contempt issues. She also represents clients in stepparent adoption and guardianship matters.

She has been practicing for twenty- four(24) years and has extensive litigation experience managing heavy volume caseloads in complex, contested family law matters. In addition to her work as a divorce and custody litigator, Ms. Finnell is a trained collaborative attorney and can assist clients who are seeking to resolve their family law cases without going to court.

Ms. Finnell is a graduate of Indiana University, where she completed her undergraduate degree in criminal justice before earning her Juris Doctor from IU's School of Law-Indianapolis in 1997. For eight years, Ms. Finnell worked for the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society and was with another Indianapolis area family law firm where she represented clients primarily in divorce, custody and paternity cases involving father's rights. Ms. Finnell is also a Registered Domestic Mediator and served as the 2020 Chair of the ADR section of the Indianapolis Bar Association.

A member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, Boone County Bar Association, Hamilton County Bar Association, AFCC and Indiana Association of Mediators . In 2011 and 2012, Ms. Finnell was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine, an honor for attorneys under 40 that lists her as one of the top up-and-coming attorneys in Indiana.

In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Finnell volunteers her time to various pro bono and legal services including the IBA's Ask a Lawyer and "Legal Line" programs.

Practice Areas
    Divorce
    Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
    Family Law
    Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
    Arbitration & Mediation
    Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation
Additional Practice Areas
  • Collaborative Law
  • Registered Domestic Relations Mediator
  • Parenting Coordinator
  • Guardian Ad Litem
Video Conferencing
  • Zoom
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Contact for details
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Indiana
Indiana Supreme Court
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Of Counsel
Schultz & Pogue LLP
- Current
Partner
Harden Jackson Law
-
Associate
Jocham Harden Dimick Jackson
-
Senior Attorney
Cordell & Cordell
-
Staff Attorney
Indianapolis Legal Aid Society
-
Education
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
J.D.
-
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Logo
Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington
B.A. | Criminal Justice
-
Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington Logo
Awards
Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2011 and 2012
Rising Star
Indiana Super Lawyers Magazine
Under 40, One of the Top Up-and-Coming Attorneys in Indiana
Super Lawyers
Under 40, One of the Top Up-and-Coming Attorneys in Indiana
Super Lawyers
Professional Associations
Indianapolis Bar Association
Member
Current
Activities: 2020 ADR Section Chair
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Hamilton County Bar Association
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Indiana State Bar
Member
Current
Activities: Member Public Relations Committee
Placeholder image for professional associations.
American Bar Association
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Central Indiana Association of Collaborative Professionals
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Collaborative Solutions Practice Group
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Boone County Bar Association
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Websites & Blogs
Website
Schultz & Pogue, LLP
Website
Collaborative Solutions
Legal Answers
24 Questions Answered
Q. In the state of indiana do you have to fill out a financial worksheet for support even if you are doing joint custody?
A: If you are asking if you will be required to file a child support worksheet in cases where you share joint physical custody then the answer is most likely "yes". It is not necessarily the case that neither party pays support when they share equal time with their children. Indiana utilizes an income share model to determine each parent's support obligation. If parties have fairly equal income and equal time, then the recommended support may be $0 or close to $0. However, if one party has higher income than the other party there may be a support obligation even if you share time. Even if both parents agree that neither will pay support to the other, the court will still want to see what the recommended support obligation is for each parent. If it is recommended that one parent pay the other and the parties still wish for a $0 support order, they will need to demonstrate why a deviation is in the child's best interest. Support is not for the benefit of the parent receiving it but for the benefit of the child. Therefore, a parent cannot simply waive support as it is not their money to waive. ... Read More
Q. I am filing pro se divorce do I need to list my house and car since I owned them before I was Married
A: All property owned at the time you file for divorce is included in the marital estate. It is included no matter how it is titled or when it was purchased. When dividing marital assets the court can consider value of assets brought into the marriage. There are many factors that may impact how the marital estate may be divided. I recommend that you consult an attorney who practices family law to discuss what factors may apply in your particular case.
Q. State of Indiana
A: Child support terminates in Indiana at age 19 unless you have a disabled child. If your support is being paid by income withholding you may need an order from the court to terminate the withholding order when your child turns 19. I recommend consulting with a family law attorney in you area to review the facts of your particular case. If you owe back support, then you cannot merely stop paying support when your child turns 19. Also, payment of college expenses can extend past the age of 19.
View More Answers
Contact & Map
Schultz & Pogue LLP
520 Indiana Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Telephone: (317) 262-1000
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 PM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Toggle tool

There are no recently viewed profiles.

There are no saved profiles.

There are no profiles to compare.