Indiana Code

Ind. Code § 31-15-2-14 (2026)

Bifurcation of issues; summary disposition orders

✓ current as of May 2026

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Sec. 14. (a) The court may bifurcate the issues in an action for dissolution of marriage filed under section 2 of this chapter (or IC 31-1-11.5-3(a) before its repeal) to provide for a summary disposition of uncontested issues and a final hearing of contested issues. The court may enter a summary disposition order under this section upon the filing with the court of verified pleadings, signed by both parties, containing:

(1) a written waiver of a final hearing in the matter of:

(A) uncontested issues specified in the waiver; or

(B) contested issues specified in the waiver upon which the parties have reached an agreement;

(2) a written agreement made in accordance with section 17 of this chapter pertaining to contested issues settled by the parties; and

(3) a statement:

(A) specifying contested issues remaining between the parties; and

(B) requesting the court to order a final hearing as to contested issues to be held under this chapter.

(b) The court shall include in a summary disposition order entered under this section a date for a final hearing of contested issues.

[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-8(e).]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.7.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 8 cases, 2001–2019 · leading case: Amended July 31, 2015 In RE the Marriage of Susan Michelle Thatcher & Ronald Dean Thatcher Upon the Petition of Susan Michelle Thatcher, Anna Carson as for the Est. of Susan Michelle Thatcher, 864 N.W.2d 533 (Iowa 2015).

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Amended July 31, 2015 In RE the Marriage of Susan Michelle Thatcher & Ronald Dean Thatcher Upon the Petition of Susan Michelle Thatcher, Anna Carson as for the Est. of Susan Michelle Thatcher, 864 N.W.2d 533 (Iowa 2015). · cites it 4× “”); Ind. Code Ann. § 31-15-2-14 (West, Westlaw current through 2015 Reg.”

In re the Marriage of: Milana Staletovich Riggs v. Leon O. Riggs (mem. dec.), 77 N.E.3d 792 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 12× “There, husband filed a petition for dissolution, and the parties requested and were granted a bifurcated trial pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-15-2-14. 758 N.E.2d at 1021 . In phase one of the trial, the dissolution court dissolved the marriage.”

Beard v. Beard, 758 N.E.2d 1019 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 4× “2 Indiana Code section 31-15-2-14 provides for bifurcation of a dissolution proceeding as follows: *1023 (a) The court may bifurcate the issues in an action for dissolution of marriage filed under section 2 of this chapter (or IC 31-1-11.”

In re the Marriage of Michael Hickey (Deceased) v. Jackie L. Hickey v. ArcelorMittal USA LLC Pension Plan, 111 N.E.3d 242 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 5× “Indiana Code 31-15-2-14 requires that when a divorce proceeding is bifurcated that the parties sign a written waiver of final hearing and a statement explaining what items are agreed upon and which items are still in dispute.”

Judith M. Edwards (n/k/a Judith Klemos) v. Allen O. Edwards, & D. Juatrice Edwards, as Pers. Rep. of the Est. of Allen O. Edwards, 80 N.E.3d 939 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “A panel of this Court held that in light of the statute providing for bifurcation of dissolution proceedings, Indiana Code § 31-15-2-14 (1997), the death of a spouse after dissolution of the marriage and prior to the disposition of property did not deprive the dissolution court…”

Jeffrey Nelson v. Julie A. Nelson (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 4× “He contends that the court did not have authority to enter a bifurcated order and cites Ind. Code § 31-15-2-14 . He asserts that: the trial court’s order could not have been a final order as the matter had not been completed; the court did not have authority under Indiana…”

In Re the Marriage of Susan Michelle Thatcher & Ronald Dean Thatcher Upon the Petition of Susan Michelle Thatcher, Anna Carson as for the Est. of Susan Michelle Thatcher (Iowa 2015). · cites it 2× “”); Ind. Code Ann. § 31-15-2-14 (West, Westlaw current through 2015 Reg.”

ArcelorMittal USA, LLC Pension Plan v. Jackie L. Hickey (mem. dec.) (Ind. Ct. App. 2016). “Indiana Code 31-15-2-14 requires that when a divorce proceeding is bifurcated that the parties sign a written waiver of final hearing and a statement explaining what items are agreed upon and which items are still in dispute.”

— Ind. Code § 31-15-2-14(a) — 1 case

Amended July 31, 2015 In RE the Marriage of Susan Michelle Thatcher & Ronald Dean Thatcher Upon the Petition of Susan Michelle Thatcher, Anna Carson as for the Est. of Susan Michelle Thatcher, 864 N.W.2d 533 (Iowa 2015). “”); Ind. Code Ann. § 31-15-2-14 (West, Westlaw current through 2015 Reg.”

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