Wayne County Courts, Indiana Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Attorneys may communicate with an appointed Parenting Coordinator, Guardian Ad Litem, or Court Appointed Special Advocate only if all other parties are included; if that is not feasible, they must disclose the communication and its nature to all other parties within seven days.

In the event a Parenting Coordinator, Guardian Ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate is appointed by the Court, the parties’ attorneys shall not communicate with said Parenting Coordinator, Guardian Ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate unless said communication includes all other parties to the cause of action. In the event such inclusion is not feasible, the fact that there was communication and the nature thereof shall be disclosed to all other parties within seven days of such communication.

CRITICAL

Attorneys must not contact children involved in a Family Case unless they first obtain a court order authorizing the contact.

Attorneys shall not have contact with the child(ren) involved in a Family Case, whether or not a custodial evaluator, parenting coordinator, or guardian ad litem has been appointed, without first having an order of the court authorizing such contact.

WARNING

In the event the custodial evaluator should contact counsel before the evaluator’s report has been issued, such fact should be promptly conveyed to opposing counsel indicating the specific dialogue between counsel and the custodial evaluator. Following the issuance of the evaluator’s report, the evaluator shall be deemed a witness and counsel shall be permitted ex parte communication with the evaluator at counsel’s/client’s expense.

In the event the custodial evaluator should contact counsel before the evaluator’s report has been issued, such fact should be promptly conveyed to opposing counsel indicating the specific dialogue between counsel and the custodial evaluator. Following the issuance of the evaluator’s report, the evaluator shall be deemed a witness and counsel shall be permitted ex parte communication with the evaluator at counsel’s/client’s expense.