Indiana Personal Injury & Family Law Attorneys
Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys serves individuals and families across Hamilton County and central Indiana with dedicated legal representation in personal injury claims and family law matters. With offices in Carmel, Fishers, and Zionsville, JR and Jill Emerson provide the personalized attention that larger firms simply cannot match.
Two Practice Areas. One Firm That Treats You Like Family.
Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys is a boutique law firm built on a simple principle: every client deserves an attorney who knows their name, answers their calls, and fights for their best outcome. JR Emerson and Jill Bracken-Emerson are a husband-and-wife attorney team with more than 45 years of combined legal experience, and they have spent over two decades serving families right here in Hamilton County.
The firm concentrates in two areas where people need the most help during the most difficult times in their lives: personal injury and family law. Whether you were injured in a car accident on US-31 or you are navigating a contested divorce in Hamilton County Superior Court, you will work directly with JR or Jill from your first consultation through the resolution of your case.
With offices in Carmel, Fishers, and Zionsville, Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys is positioned to serve clients throughout Hamilton County, Boone County, Marion County, and all of central Indiana.
Personal Injury
Injured through someone else's negligence? We handle your claim on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Indiana's personal injury laws give accident victims two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit (IC 31-6-2-2). Insurance companies know this deadline and use it against you. The sooner you speak with an experienced injury attorney, the stronger your position. Every personal injury case at Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys is handled on a contingency fee — there is no cost to you unless we win your case.
Car Accidents
Distracted driving, rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, rideshare accidents, hit-and-run cases, and all motor vehicle collisions across Indiana.
Truck Accidents
Semi-truck crashes, commercial vehicle collisions, and accidents involving delivery trucks on Indiana highways including I-465, I-69, and US-31.
Motorcycle Accidents
Lane-change collisions, left-turn accidents, road hazard injuries, and other crashes where motorcyclists suffer catastrophic injuries due to driver negligence.
Medical Malpractice
Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, birth injuries, and hospital negligence. Indiana's Medical Malpractice Act requires specific procedural steps before filing suit.
Wrongful Death
When a family loses a loved one due to another party's negligence, Indiana law allows the personal representative of the estate to pursue a wrongful death claim for damages.
Slip and Fall
Premises liability claims involving wet floors, icy walkways, broken stairs, inadequate lighting, and other hazardous conditions at businesses and private properties.
Dog Bites
Indiana holds dog owners strictly liable for bite injuries under IC 15-20-1-3. We pursue homeowner's insurance claims for medical bills, scarring, and emotional distress.
Nursing Home Abuse
Neglect, physical abuse, medication errors, falls, and inadequate care at nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout Indiana.
Birth Injury
Cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and other birth-related injuries caused by medical negligence during prenatal care, labor, or delivery.
Construction Injury
Scaffolding falls, electrocution, equipment failures, and other construction site injuries. Third-party liability claims may be available beyond workers' compensation.
Dental Malpractice
Nerve damage, infections, unnecessary procedures, and other dental injuries resulting from a dentist's failure to meet the standard of care.
Injured in an Accident? You Deserve Answers.
Every personal injury consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Family Law
Navigating a divorce, custody dispute, or other family law matter? We offer free initial consultations and transparent hourly billing with no hidden fees.
Family law cases are among the most personal and emotionally challenging legal matters a person can face. At Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys, JR and Jill bring a unique perspective as a husband-and-wife attorney team — they understand both sides of family disputes and use that insight to advocate effectively for their clients. Whether you are filing for divorce, fighting for custody of your children, or protecting your financial future, Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys provides compassionate guidance grounded in deep knowledge of Indiana family law.
Divorce
Contested and uncontested divorce, property division, debt allocation, and settlement negotiations. Indiana requires a 60-day waiting period after filing (IC 31-15-2-6).
Child Custody
Legal custody, physical custody, joint custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, and relocation cases. Indiana courts decide custody based on the child's best interests (IC 31-17-2-8).
Child Support
Initial support orders, modifications, enforcement actions, and high-income calculations. Indiana uses an income shares model under the Child Support Guidelines (IC 31-16-6).
Spousal Maintenance
Indiana is restrictive on spousal maintenance, allowing it primarily for incapacity, rehabilitative purposes (up to 3 years), or by agreement of the parties (IC 31-15-7-2).
High-Asset Divorce
Business valuation, professional practice division, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, stock options, real estate holdings, and hidden asset discovery.
Fathers' Rights
Establishing paternity, equal custody advocacy, protective order defense, parenting time enforcement, and custody modification for fathers seeking meaningful relationships with their children.
Modifications
Custody modifications, child support adjustments, spousal maintenance changes, parenting time updates, and relocation modifications when circumstances substantially change.
Paternity
Voluntary and contested paternity establishment, DNA testing, custody and support rights for unmarried parents, and paternity fraud claims.
Prenuptial Agreements
Drafting, reviewing, and defending prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Protecting business interests, inheritance, and separate property before and during marriage.
Facing a Difficult Family Law Decision?
You don't have to navigate this alone. Schedule a free consultation and get honest answers about your options.
Why Choose Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys
You Work Directly with JR or Jill — Every Time
At Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys, your case is never handed off to an associate or paralegal for key decisions. You will speak directly with the attorney handling your matter from the first phone call through final resolution. That is a commitment most large firms cannot make.
Husband-and-Wife Team — Both Perspectives
JR and Jill practice together, which gives Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys a unique advantage. In family law, they understand both sides of every dispute. In personal injury, they collaborate to build the strongest possible case for every client.
20+ Years in Hamilton County Courts
JR and Jill have practiced in Hamilton County for more than two decades. They know the local judges, the court procedures, and the opposing attorneys. That familiarity translates into more effective representation for you.
Free Consultations — Always
Whether you need a personal injury attorney or a family law attorney, your first consultation is always free. We will listen to your situation, explain your options, and give you an honest assessment — with no obligation and no pressure.
Proven Results for Indiana Clients
$1,500,000
Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death
Children of deceased mother received $1,500,000 after hospital's medical malpractice killed their mother. We proved the hospital failed to properly monitor vitals and respond to clear warning signs.
$1,250,000
Fatal Truck Accident
Spouse of deceased wife received $1,250,000 after commercial truck ran stop light and killed her. We proved the trucking company's negligent hiring and training practices.
Prenuptial Agreement Defense — $1M+ Judgment for Wife
Represented a Hamilton County wife in a contested divorce involving a marital estate exceeding $3 million and a prenuptial agreement the husband had required her to sign before marriage. After a highly contested hearing, the Court agreed with JR and Jill's interpretation of the prenuptial agreement, rejected the husband's claims entirely, and ordered the husband to pay the wife more than $1 million to achieve the 50/50 division the agreement actually required.
Postnuptial Agreement Enforced — Wife Receives Over $20 Million
Jill represented a wife in a high-asset divorce. During the marriage, the parties had entered into a postnuptial agreement entitling the wife to 50% of the marital estate, including business interests. When the husband filed for divorce, he argued that the postnuptial agreement was unenforceable. Jill successfully defended the validity of the agreement and secured her client over $20 million in assets.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and results depend on specific facts and circumstances.
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
"I recently worked with James R Emerson based in Carmel, Indiana. He and his team focus on accident and divorce law. I was impressed by his expertise and dedication. When it came to divorce proceedings, he provided compassionate support and clear guidance, making a difficult situation more manageable. His communication was always prompt and transparent. I highly recommend James for anyone seeking legal assistance in these or other areas."
Andy Rubey
— 50 weeks ago
★★★★★
"Jill is incredible to work with! And her assistants are extremely welcoming. But more importantly Jill treats you like a human being and she is so incredible at what she does, and she walks you through everything and breaks things down for you to understand how they work. HIGHLY recommend Jill!"
Kade Patton
— Jan 31, 2025
Serving Hamilton County and Central Indiana
Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys has offices in three Hamilton County communities, making it easy for clients throughout central Indiana to meet with JR or Jill in person. We also handle cases in Marion County, Boone County, Madison County, and courts across the state.
We also serve clients in:
Noblesville
Indianapolis
Hamilton County
Boone County
Marion County
Madison County
All of Central Indiana
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of cases does Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys handle?
Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys concentrates in two practice areas: personal injury and family law. On the personal injury side, we handle car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, slip and fall, dog bites, nursing home abuse, birth injuries, construction injuries, and dental malpractice. On the family law side, we handle divorce, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, high-asset divorce, modifications, fathers' rights, paternity, and prenuptial agreements.
Do you charge for the initial consultation?
No. Every initial consultation at Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys is free — for both personal injury and family law matters. We will listen to your situation, explain your legal options, and give you an honest assessment of your case. There is no cost and no obligation.
How does your fee structure work for personal injury cases?
Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We advance all costs associated with investigating and pursuing your claim. If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
How does your fee structure work for family law cases?
Family law cases are billed on a transparent hourly basis with no hidden fees. We discuss all fees upfront during your free consultation so there are no surprises. Flexible payment arrangements are available. We believe you should know exactly what your representation will cost before you commit.
Will I work directly with an attorney or be passed to a paralegal?
You will work directly with JR or Jill on your case. While our support staff handles scheduling and administrative tasks, all legal strategy, court appearances, negotiations, and key communications come directly from your attorney. This is one of the core advantages of working with a boutique firm rather than a large practice.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana?
Indiana's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. However, certain types of cases — such as medical malpractice, which requires a proposed complaint to be filed before the Medical Review Panel — have different timelines and procedural requirements. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an injury to preserve your rights.
How long does a divorce take in Indiana?
Indiana requires a minimum 60-day waiting period after filing a dissolution petition before a divorce can be finalized (IC 31-15-2-6). An uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all terms can sometimes be completed shortly after that 60-day period. Contested divorces involving disputes over property division, child custody, or spousal maintenance may take several months to over a year depending on the complexity of the issues.
How does Indiana determine child custody?
Indiana courts determine custody based on the best interests of the child, using the factors outlined in IC 31-17-2-8. These include each parent's wishes, the child's relationship with each parent, the child's adjustment to home and school, the mental and physical health of all individuals involved, and whether there is any history of domestic violence. Indiana does not have a presumption favoring mothers or fathers — the standard is gender-neutral.
What counties and courts do you practice in?
Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys regularly appears in Hamilton County Superior Courts, Hamilton County Circuit Court, Boone County courts, Marion County courts, and courts throughout central Indiana. With offices in Carmel, Fishers, and Zionsville, we are conveniently located for clients across the region. We also handle cases in other Indiana counties as needed.
Do both JR and Jill handle both personal injury and family law?
Yes. Both JR and Jill are experienced in personal injury and family law. Jill leads the personal injury practice and also handles family law cases. JR focuses on personal injury and divorce. Their ability to collaborate as a husband-and-wife team gives clients the benefit of two experienced legal minds working together on their case.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
For personal injury cases, bring any police reports, medical records, insurance information, photographs of the accident scene or injuries, and correspondence from insurance companies. For family law matters, bring financial documents (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements), any existing court orders, and a list of your questions and concerns. If you do not have all of these documents, come anyway — we can help you gather what is needed.
Can I switch attorneys if I already have one?
Yes, you have the right to change attorneys at any time. If you are unhappy with your current representation, contact Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your case. We can review where your case stands and explain the process for transitioning your representation to our firm.
You Are Our Top Priority
Free consultation. Honest answers. No pressure. No fee unless we win your injury case.
When you're dealing with a serious injury or facing a difficult divorce, the last thing you need is a law firm that treats you like a number. At Emerson Divorce and Accident Injury Attorneys, you will speak directly with JR or Jill — not a call center, not an intake coordinator, not a paralegal screening your call.
We provide every potential client with a free initial consultation so we can listen to your story, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your options. There is no cost and no obligation to talk to us about your case.
1 S Rangeline Rd, Suite 400, Carmel, IN 46032
Available 24/7 for Emergencies
1 S Rangeline Rd, Ste 400
Carmel, IN 46032
11650 Lantern Rd, Ste 261
Fishers, IN 46038
4582 NW Plaza West Dr, Ste 7
Zionsville, IN 46077
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*DISCLAIMER: Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case does not constitute a promise, prediction, or guarantee regarding the outcome of any other case. Each case involves many different factors and thus results will always be different from case-to-case.
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