Schererville Family Court Records Lookup
Schererville family court records are filed at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point, the county seat of Lake County. All dissolution, custody, child support, and paternity cases for Schererville residents go to the Lake County Clerk's office in Crown Point. Schererville also has a local Town Court for minor matters, but all family court cases handled under Indiana family law go to the Lake County Circuit and Superior Courts. Search records online through MyCase or visit the clerk at 2293 N Main Street, Crown Point.
Schererville Quick Facts
Where to File Family Court Records in Schererville
Family court cases for Schererville residents are filed at the Lake County Circuit and Superior Courts in Crown Point. The Lake County Government Center at 2293 N Main Street, Crown Point, is where the clerk's office keeps all family court records for the county, including Schererville. Crown Point is about 12 miles south of Schererville. All dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and protection order cases go to this location. Lake County is the second most populous county in Indiana, so the court system is active with family law cases year-round.
| Court | Lake County Circuit and Superior Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Lake County Government Center 2293 N Main St, Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Phone | 219-755-3460 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lakecountyin.gov/departments/clerk-circuit-superior |
Bring a photo ID to the Lake County Government Center. One important note: in-person filings require cash or a money order only. No personal checks or cards are accepted at the clerk's window for new case filings. If you file through the electronic filing system, electronic payments are accepted. Call 219-755-3460 before your visit to ask about current fees and exact payment requirements.
The Lake County Clerk's office has a Civil Division for family cases. The Domestic Relations section at 219-755-3681 handles dissolution and custody matters specifically. For child support questions through the clerk's office, call 219-755-3471. Schererville's Town Court at 219-865-5579 handles traffic and local ordinance matters but does not handle family court cases under Indiana family law. All dissolution, custody, and support cases stay with the Lake County courts in Crown Point.
Searching Schererville Family Court Records
The free online search tool for Schererville family court records is MyCase, Indiana's public court records portal. Search by name or case number to see case type, status, and filing dates. Many Lake County family court cases are on MyCase. Records sealed by the court or involving minor children only may have restricted access. No account or fee is needed to use MyCase.
Go to public.courts.in.gov/mycase and enter the name or case number you are looking for. Filter by Lake County after you get results to focus on Schererville and surrounding area cases. The search shows the case type, court division, filing date, and current status. Full document text is usually not visible online, but you can find the case number and then go to the clerk for copies. MyCase runs on phones and computers without a login.
For full document copies, visit the Lake County Clerk at 2293 N Main Street in Crown Point. Staff can pull case files and make copies at the standard rate. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Bring cash or a money order for in-person copy fees. Electronic filing records may be requested differently than paper file records. Call 219-755-3460 to ask about the current process before you visit or mail a request.
Types of Family Court Cases in Schererville
Schererville family court records cover multiple case types, all handled by the Lake County courts under Indiana law.
Dissolution of marriage is the most common family court case in Lake County. Under IC 31-15, Indiana uses "dissolution" rather than "divorce" as the legal term, but the effect is the same. A dissolution ends the marriage, divides property and debts, and when children are involved, sets initial custody and child support terms. Dissolution records are generally public in Schererville once they are filed, though specific documents may be sealed.
Child custody and parenting time cases follow IC 31-17. Custody can be filed as part of a dissolution or as a standalone case. Unmarried parents in Schererville can ask the Lake County court for a custody order without a dissolution. The court decides all custody issues based on the child's best interest. Relocation petitions, modification requests, and parenting time disputes all go into the official case file.
Child support orders are governed by IC 31-16, with amounts set using the Indiana Child Support Guidelines. Modification petitions and enforcement actions go to the Lake County Clerk. Paternity cases are handled under IC 31-14 and set legal fatherhood when parents were not married. Protection orders are also filed with the Lake County courts and become part of the family court record in Schererville.
Child Support in Schererville
Child support cases for Schererville residents go through the Lake County courts and the Indiana Child Support Bureau. Once a support order is in place, the bureau tracks payments and can enforce the order when a parent falls behind. The statewide child support hotline is 800-840-8757. Call it for payment information, account balances, or to report non-payment. Automated service is available 24 hours a day, and live agents work weekdays from 7 AM to 6 PM.
You can view your payment account online at in.gov/dcs/child-support. The site lets you check payment history and see what is owed. To modify an existing support order, file a petition with the Lake County Clerk and show a change in circumstances, such as a big shift in income or a change in the child's living situation. Call the Clerk's Child Support line at 219-755-3471 for help finding the right forms to start a modification.
When a parent does not pay, the Lake County Prosecutor's office and the Child Support Bureau use enforcement tools including wage withholding, tax refund intercept, and license suspension. If the paying parent lives in another state, the Indiana Child Support Bureau coordinates with that state's agency through the federal interstate support system. The bureau handles interstate cases for families across Indiana, including those in Lake County.
Legal Help for Schererville Residents
Schererville residents have several options for help with family court cases. Free and low-cost services are available depending on your income.
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income Indiana residents, including dissolution, custody, and protection order cases. Apply online or call to check if you qualify. The Indiana Self-Service Legal Center at in.gov/courts/selfservice has free forms and guides for people handling their own family court case without an attorney. It covers the most common case types under Indiana family law and gives step-by-step direction.
The Indiana Parenting Time Helpline at 844-836-0003 is free and runs Monday through Friday from noon to 5 PM. Licensed attorneys answer questions about parenting time schedules and visitation disputes. The service does not take cases, but it explains the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines and helps parents avoid unnecessary court hearings. For those who need full representation, the Indiana State Bar lawyer referral service connects Schererville residents with local family law attorneys.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Lake County Family Court Records
Schererville is in Lake County, and all family court filings for the town go through the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point. For the full county overview, courthouse details, related record types, and more local resources, visit the Lake County family court records page.