Practice Areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in Indiana since: 1994
Education: Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025 Call today:
317-660-8150
Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C.
2910 East 96th StreetSuite D
Indianapolis, IN 46240 Visit website
Details
A partner at Ruppert & Schaefer, P.C., Paula J. Schaefer focuses her practice almost exclusively on family law matters. From the firm's office in Indianapolis, Indiana, she represents people in the greater metropolitan area and throughout the state. Ms. Schaefer has been certified as a specialist in family law by the Family Law Certification Board of the Indiana State Bar Association. She also has experience in the preparation of wills, financial and health care powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents.
In her divorce practice, Ms. Schaefer assists people who are facing the end of their marriages and who need help in addressing such issues as the division of complex debts and assets, child custody and visitation, and alimony and child support. She is an effective advocate for her clients when a judge is making decisions on these matters. However, Ms. Schaefer has also been trained in collaborative law as well as in domestic relations mediation, and thus, when appropriate, she will often help her clients reach an accord using one of these alternative dispute resolution methods. Other family law matters that she has experience in include the preparation and review of prenuptial agreements, post-decree order modifications and enforcement, and the obtaining of protective orders for victims of domestic violence.
After receiving an associate degree from Vincennes University, Ms. Schaefer attended Ball State University, where she majored in legal administration and earned a Bachelor of Science in 1991. She then obtained her legal education at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, and she was awarded her Juris Doctor in 1994. Ms. Schaefer is admitted to practice in Indiana and before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, and she is a member of the Family Law Section of the Indianapolis Bar Association and Indiana State Bar Association.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 1994, Indiana
Professional Webpage: https://www.randsfamilylaw.com/attorneys-1.html
- Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Indianapolis Bar Foundation Distinguished Life Fellow, 2017
- Indianapolis Bar Association, 1994 - Present
- Indianapolis Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Member Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Indiana State Bar Association, 1994 - Present
- Hamilton County Bar Association and its Family Law Section
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1994
- Indiana, 1994
- Teen Court Program for Juvenile Offenders - Judge
- Hubbard v. Hubbard, 690 N.E.2d 1219 (Ind. App. 1998)
- Certified Family Law Specialist as certified by the Family Law Certification Board.
- Family Law Mediation Certification, 1998
- Trained as a Collaborative Law Professional, 2012
- Chair of the IBA Pro Bono Standing Committee
- Sponsor, Carmel Dad's Club Sports teams
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Member
- President's Award from Indianapolis Bar Association, 2000
- Top 25 Women Indiana Super Lawyers, 2010 - 2011, 2018-2022, SuperLawyers
- Distinguished Life Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, 2017
- Dr. John Morton-Finney Excellence in Legal Education Award, 2002
- Selected to Super Lawyers, 2007 – 2025
- B.S. Legal Administration, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1991
- A.S. Paralegal/Legal Assistant, Vincennes Univerity, Vincennes, Indiana, 1989
- Survey of Indiana Family Law in 1995, Indiana Law Review, Vol. 29, No. 4, 1996
- Survey of Indiana Family Law in 1996, Indiana Law Review, Vol. 30, No. 4, 1997
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2018
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2017
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2016
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2015
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2008
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2009
- Lecturer, How to Handle Your First Divorce, IBA Young Lawyer's Division, 2000
- Lecturer, Indiana Family Law, PEC Bar Review, 1999
- Lecturer, Indiana Family Law, PEC Bar Review, 1998
- Lecturer, Rainmaking Seminar, IBA Young Lawyer's Division, 1998
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2010
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2011
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2012
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2014
- Lecturer, Family Law, Indiana Bar Review, 2013
- Indiana Bar Review, Family Law, Indianapolis Bar Association, 2000 - Present
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Widely respected and liked by Bench and Bar. Well-known among counsellors, parenting-time coordinators & GALs employed in other disciplines in Marion and Hamilton Counties regarding child-related issues. Many referrals from attorneys for asset/child divorce matters. Has lectured on Family Law for the Indpls. Bar Assn.'s highly successful Indiana Bar Exam Review Course since Family Law was added to Indiana's Bar Exam in 1998.”
Office location for Paula J. Schaefer
2910 East 96th Street
Suite D
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Phone: 317-660-8150
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025
Top Lists
Top 25: Women Indiana Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2011, 2018 - 2025- Top 25: 2025 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2024 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2023 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2022 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2021 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2020 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2019 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2018 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2011 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2010 Women Indiana Super Lawyers
