Search Hobart Family Court Records
Hobart family court records are filed and maintained by the Lake County Clerk's office. All divorce, custody, child support, and paternity cases for Hobart residents go through the Lake County Circuit and Superior Courts at the Government Center in Crown Point. Hobart has its own city court at 219-942-8218 for local ordinance matters, but family court cases are county-level and handled in Crown Point. The Lake County Clerk manages all family court filings, and many records are searchable through Indiana's MyCase portal.
Hobart Quick Facts
Where to File Family Court Cases in Hobart
Because Hobart is in Lake County, all family court filings go to the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point. The address is 2293 N Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307. Crown Point is about 10 miles from Hobart. The Lake County Clerk's main phone is 219-755-3460. The Domestic Relations division, which handles divorce and custody matters, is at 219-755-3681. Hobart also has a city court at 219-942-8218, but that court handles local ordinance violations, not family law matters.
| Court | Lake Circuit and Superior Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 2293 N Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Main Clerk | 219-755-3460 |
| Domestic Relations | 219-755-3681 |
| Child Support Clerk | 219-755-3471 |
| Clerk Website | lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk-circuit-superior |
If you go to the Government Center to file in person, bring cash or a money order. Lake County does not accept personal checks for in-person filings. E-filed cases can use electronic payment. Divorce filing fees in Lake County are $177 plus a $28 optional sheriff fee. Family court cases in Hobart follow Indiana law: divorce under IC 31-15, custody under IC 31-17, child support under IC 31-16, and paternity under IC 31-14.
Searching Hobart Family Court Records
Indiana's MyCase.in.gov portal is the best starting point for finding a family court case filed by a Hobart resident. The free search tool lets you look up cases by name or case number. It shows filing dates, hearing schedules, case status, and party names. Many Lake County family court cases are in the MyCase system. You can access it any time from any device without making a trip to Crown Point.
If you need actual document copies, contact the Lake County Clerk at 219-755-3460 or go to the Government Center. Tell the clerk the case number or both parties' names. Standard copy fees are $1 per page. Bring cash or a money order if you pay in person. Certified copies are available for a higher fee and are needed when you must prove a court order to another agency or in a legal proceeding outside Indiana.
The Indiana Courts Public Records Portal explains the public access rules for Indiana court records. It covers what is public, what requires a court order to access, and how to submit a formal request if needed. For routine family court records from Hobart, the Lake County Clerk is your direct contact.
Family Court Cases Filed for Hobart Residents
Hobart residents file all family court cases in Lake County. The courts there handle a full range of family law matters. Divorce under IC 31-15 is the most common. Indiana's no-fault system means you do not need to allege fault to get a divorce. You just need to show the marriage is irretrievably broken. Once you file, a 60-day waiting period applies before the court can sign a final decree. During that time, the court can issue temporary orders on custody, bill payment, and housing to protect both parties while the case is pending.
Custody and parenting time cases come under IC 31-17. Lake County courts make custody decisions based on the best interests of the child. Hobart is a residential community, and most custody cases involve parents who live nearby. Courts try to set arrangements that allow both parents to stay involved in the child's daily life. If parents agree on a parenting plan, the court usually approves it as long as it serves the child's interests.
Paternity cases let unmarried parents establish a legal parent-child relationship through the Lake County courts, following IC 31-14. Once paternity is established, the court can set custody, parenting time, and support. Parents who agree can sign a Paternity Affidavit without going to court for the paternity part, though they still need a court order for custody and support.
Modifications to existing family court orders are also filed in Lake County. If circumstances have changed since the original order was entered, either party can file a petition to modify. The court reviews whether the change is substantial enough to justify changing the existing order for a Hobart resident.
Child Support in Hobart
Child support for Hobart residents follows IC 31-16. The Lake County Prosecutor administers Title IV-D child support services, which include establishing support orders, locating non-custodial parents, and enforcing payment. The Clerk Child Support office at 219-755-3471 processes payments under active Lake County court orders.
For general child support questions, call the Indiana Child Support Bureau at 800-840-8757. The bureau can explain how support amounts are set, how to enforce an order, and how to request a modification if income has changed. It works with the Lake County Prosecutor to handle cases for Hobart residents. If the other parent lives outside Indiana, the bureau can coordinate enforcement through interstate processes.
Note: The IV-D program does not handle parenting time disputes. Call the Parenting Time Helpline at 844-836-0003 for help with parenting schedules. Child support and parenting time are legally separate issues in Indiana.
Legal Help for Hobart Residents
Indiana Legal Services covers Lake County and provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents in Hobart. They work on divorce, custody, and domestic violence matters. Contact them to find out if you meet the income requirements. The Indiana State Bar at inbar.org has a lawyer referral program for residents who need a paid family law attorney in the Lake County area.
The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center gives free access to court forms and plain-language guides for family court cases. If your case is straightforward, such as an uncontested divorce with no major disputes, the self-help center can get you through the filing process without an attorney. It covers what forms to use, what to file first, and what to expect at each stage of the case in Indiana.
The Parenting Time Helpline at 844-836-0003 is a free phone resource for parents who have questions about Indiana's parenting time guidelines. It helps parents understand what the courts typically expect in terms of scheduling, holidays, and notice requirements. For questions about how the Lake County courts handle specific family matters, call the Domestic Relations division at 219-755-3681 before your hearing.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Hobart is in Lake County in northwest Indiana. Several qualifying cities are nearby.
Lake County Family Court Records
Hobart is in Lake County. All family court records for Hobart residents are filed with the Lake County Clerk in Crown Point. For county-level details on court procedures, fees, and resources, visit the Lake County page.