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January 31, 2017
BUSINESS LOCAL
Current in Carmel
www.currentincarmel.com
TradeRev opens HQ in Carmel
Shepherd Insurance celebrates 40 years
By Heather Collins • news@currentincarmel.com
Shepherd Insurance, the largest private agency in the state of Indiana, is celebrating 40 years in business. The company boasts a staff of more than 250 insurance professionals. Shepherd has a combined 16 offices in four states, offering personal, commercial, life and health insurance to its clients. The agency has recently expanded into the realm of financial services. "The company has no plans of slowing down in 2017," Managing General Partner Quinn Shepherd stated in a news release. For more, visit shepherdins.com. Above Shepherd Insurance ownership team (front row, from left): Quinn Shepherd, Dave Shepherd and Jeff Kweder; (back row, from left): Doug Annakin, Patrick Del Medico, Al Purmort, Pete Harrington, Kelly Shepherd Purmort, Steve Sweitzer, Steve Gregory, Fred McClaine, Tom Niccum and Briggs Orsbon. (Submitted photo)
TradeRev, a mobile vehicle live appraisal and auctioning app for EXPANSION dealers and buyers, has opened its first U.S. headquarters in Carmel. TradeRev already had headquarters in the United Kingdom and Canada. In August 2014, Kar Auction Services, through its business unit, ADESA, Crerar acquired a 50 percent ownership stake in TradeRev. According to karauctionservices.com, the purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $30 million. The new headquarters at 12726 Hamilton Crossing Blvd. features state-of-the-art technology, a fully connected board room, ergonomic desks and chairs and a training facility. TradeRev Executive Vice President Keith Crerar said as a mobile app company, the firm wanted to recreate the innovative and collaborative atmosphere of its Toronto-based corporate offices in Carmel. Throughout the new space, large monitors live-stream between the Toronto and U.S. headquarters. “We’re bringing developing new technology
The new U.S. headquarters in Carmel replicates the innovative and collaborative work environment of the TradeRev corporate offices in Toronto. (Submitted photo)
in a start-up to the Carmel area,” Crerar said. “We’re looking to explore more of that digital revolution.” TradeRev streamlines the trade-in process for buyers, dealers and customers by enabling dealers to launch live real-time, one-hour, dealer-to-dealer auctions. During the auction, buyers can purchase vehicles via the TradeRev mobile app. Crerar said the new headquarters will have many opportunities for job seekers. TradeRev will be seeking developers, sales team members and support team members. For more, visit TradeRev.com.
DIVORCE: Parenting Coordination
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Before Your Spouse Does DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW MEDIATION & COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE Custody Child Support Prenuptial Agreements Adoptions Education Law DUI 317.DIVORCE | www.hzlegal.com 11555 N. Meridian St. | Suite 530 | Carmel, IN 46032
High conflict co-parenting situations are not only extremely exhausting, but are challenging to find any type of quick resolution. Furthermore, litigation is not always the best solution for these types of matters, as the parties lose control of the outcome, the process can be slower than desired, and it is generally very expensive. However, a positive trend that is increasingly growing in Indiana family law cases are the appointments of parenting coordinators. A parenting coordinator (or “PC”) is an individual appointed by Order of the court and charged with managing on-going issues between parents in cases with constant and substantial disputes involving child custody and parenting time issues. Generally, the PC is either a mental health professional or a lawyer with significant experience in family law issues. What is a PC’s role/function? The purpose of the PC is to help assist divorced parents navigate their co-parenting relationships by resolving impasses concerning child-related issues and helping to redirect parents to focus primarily on the needs of the child. A PC will aid in developing, implementing, and maintaining parenting plans to ease parenting issues, all in hopes of reducing further litigation. A PC’s authority is specifically defined by the Court’s Order, which is generally prepared by the parties’ and their respective attorneys. The Order of the court will have considerable detail as to the extent and limitations of the duties of the PC; however, the easiest description for the PC’s role is the PC will have the ability to act as a communication facilitator, an ongoing mediator and even, essentially, an arbitrator for excessively divisive situations. As the goal is to help the parties effectively co-parent and address issues which may arise from time to time, the PC typically meets with both parties regularly, receives day-to-day questions and complaints about any aspect of a party's conduct, gathers information from outside sources (schools, doctors, counselors, etc.) and works with the parties, looking for consensus or, at least, basic agreement. If this is unsuccessful, the PC
may choose to inform the parties of what the PC believes is in the best interests of the child in the hopes of pushing the parties to an agreement. While the role of the PC does not divest the court of its jurisdiction to determine child-related issues (custody, parenting time, child support, etc.), the PC may submit recommendations to the court if no agreement is possible. Further, upon receipt of the PC’s recommendations, depending upon the circumstances, those recommendations may be immediately adopted by the court. How is a PC selected? Either party may petition the court to appoint a PC. Alternatively, if both parties agree that their situation would benefit from the involvement of a PC, the parties may submit an agreement for the appointment of a PC to the court. If an agreement is reached, the parties may also select the PC which would work best for their matter. How much will this cost? PC’s are oftentimes attorneys and charge parents for the time involved in addressing the issues presented by the parties. Typically, a court will require the parents to share the PC’s costs, so that they are both “invested” in the process. As part of its authority, the PC has the ability to reapportion costs if one party’s lack of cooperation is clearly a primary issue and the source of a disproportionate amount of the PC expense. Thus, for parents who find themselves in the midst of constant high conflict battles concerning parenting time or custody matters, or are forced to have repeated hearings or mediation, a PC might be a great alternative solution to consider. At Hollingsworth & Zivitz, P.C., our team has the experience, the understanding, and the compassion to assist with your family law needs. If you have questions or concerns regarding divorce, custody, support, or any other family law concerns contact our firm at 317.DIVORCE or visit our website at www.hzlegal.com. We have attorneys at our firm who are active Parenting Coordinators and available for appointment.