Heidi focuses her legal practice to all issues involving family law, including divorce, adoption, annulment, legal separation, child support, parenting time, grandparent visitation, and custody disputes. She helps mothers and fathers resolve paternity, relocation, college contribution, emancipation, support modifications, and a variety of other family law issues. Heidi has been named a “Top Lawyer” in Fort Wayne in the area of family law and in 2023 was voted “Best Family Lawyer” in the FW Journal Gazette’s Reader’s Choice Awards.
In Heidi’s family law practice, she has learned that taking a respectful and cooperative approach during a family law case usually translates to a less contentious and better co-parenting relationship in the future. By focusing on the best outcome and best life for a family’s children, Heidi encourages her clients and helps them work toward an agreement that best serves their family’s needs and maximizes what works best for their children. A well-crafted and quality settlement agreement will likely reap benefits now and in the future, with litigation being a last resource. Notwithstanding the goal of a peaceful resolution, Heidi also understands that not all cases can be resolved with an agreement and need to be presented at trial. And when litigation is needed, Heidi will work with you to present your best case and strongly represent your interests at any hearing or trial. Consistent with the ideals of reaching cooperative resolutions, Heidi has also received training as a collaborative family law attorney. The collaborative family law process is a unique, forward-thinking process used in family law cases. Its primary focus is peaceful, fair solutions rather than the traditional litigation-based approach. This process can be extremely useful for divorcing couples with children who strive for a peaceful co-parent relationship instead of a conflict-centered divorce.
Heidi is also registered as a Domestic Relations Mediator to help families mediate their disputes in family law matters and, in particular, help parents resolve family disputes before a matter is tried to a Judge in court. Heidi also frequently handles Pre-Suits Mediations for couples willing to try to work together first, with a mediator, before going to court. By bringing any disputed issue to Heidi in advance of a court filing or court hearing, she will work with you to address your unique issues to creatively reach a resolution that avoids the courtroom. Most couples appreciate this approach to resolving disputes prior to litigation and leave with a vested interest in maintaining a good working relationship with their spouse, while saving considerable costs typically incurred with a litigious court battle.
community involvement
Heidi is a member of the Allen County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Collaborative Family Law Solutions, and a past member of the Benjamin Harrison American Inns of Court. She is the past Chairperson of the Women’s Section of the Allen County Bar Association, and is also an active member of the Family Law Section, and the Indiana State Family and Juvenile Section. She is the past President and Member of the Board of The Friends of the Parks of Allen County, a past Board Member of the Northeast Indiana- American Red Cross, and has volunteered with Easter Seals Arc in its “Dancing With the Arc Stars” event.
education
B.A., cum laude, Indiana University – Bloomington (1994)
Phi Beta Kappa
J.D., cum laude, Indiana University – Bloomington, Maurer School of Law (1997)
court admissions
Indiana State Bar Association
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Courts for Indiana (Northern and Southern)
