Legal Question in Family Law in Indiana

Re: Bifurcate

Issues in a dissolution or separation proceeding may be bifurcated - that is tried separately. Parties are free to settle some but not all issues and try what is not settled or settle the dispute later. How much is settled has no effect on how the court rules later except where the settlement may affect property settlement where the court is restricted to a 50/50 division absent special circumstances.

If by your question you meant that the parties separate and/or one party moves away, leaving the child with the spouse who remains, depending upon the amount of time and the distance involved it may be a big factor in determining custody at a later time.