2012 Indiana Code
TITLE 31. FAMILY LAW AND JUVENILE LAW
ARTICLE 12. FAMILY LAW: DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURTS
CHAPTER 1.5. OTHER DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURTS

IC 31-12-1.5
Chapter 1.5. Other Domestic Relations Courts

IC 31-12-1.5-1
Determination of necessity to establish court
Sec. 1. (a) This chapter applies in a judicial circuit in which a majority of the judges of the circuit and superior courts determine that:
(1) the social conditions of the county; and
(2) the number of domestic relations cases in the courts;
make the procedures described in IC 31-12-1 necessary for the full and proper consideration of domestic relations cases.
(b) The judges shall make the determination described in subsection (a) annually in January.
As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

IC 31-12-1.5-2
Designation of judges; sessions of court
Sec. 2. If the judges of a judicial circuit make the determination described in section 1 of this chapter, the judges shall designate by joint order one (1) or more of the judges in the judicial circuit to hear cases under this chapter. A judge designated under this section may hold as many sessions each week as are necessary for the prompt disposition of the court's business.
As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

IC 31-12-1.5-3
Designation of court
Sec. 3. A court exercising the jurisdiction described in section 2 of this chapter may be designated as a domestic relations court.
As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

IC 31-12-1.5-4
Jurisdiction; supplemental powers
Sec. 4. A court designated as a domestic relations court under section 3 of this chapter has the jurisdiction and special powers described in IC 31-12-1-4. A court designated as a domestic relations court under this chapter, IC 31-12-1, or IC 31-12-2 retains jurisdiction to hear any type of case the court had jurisdiction to hear before the court was designated as a domestic relations court.
As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

IC 31-12-1.5-5
Absence or inability of judge to perform duties; appointment of substitute
Sec. 5. (a) If a judge appointed to act as judge of the domestic relations court is:
(1) on vacation;
(2) absent; or
(3) for any reason unable to perform the judge's duties; a majority of the judges of the superior and circuit courts may appoint another of the judges to act as judge of the domestic relations court during that period.
(b) A judge appointed under subsection (a) has all the powers and authority of the regularly presiding judge of the domestic relations court.
As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

IC 31-12-1.5-6
Application of domestic relations courts provisions
Sec. 6. IC 31-12-1-6 through IC 31-12-1-16 apply to a domestic relations court established under this chapter.
As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.

IC 31-12-1.5-7
Domestic relations counseling appointments
Sec. 7. (a) The judges of the circuit and superior courts may appoint:
(1) a director of domestic relations counseling; or
(2) at least one (1) counselor under this chapter or under IC 31-12-1.
(b) A counselor described in subsection (a)(2) or the organization led by the director described in subsection (a)(1) is designated as a domestic relations counseling bureau.
As added by P.L.80-2006, SEC.2.