Robbin Trowbridge Benko
I not only work for you but with you through every stage of the process!
I’ve been living in Chesterton for 38 years.
I have 3 boys (though my oldest son was murdered in 2001). You can google me or my son (John Trowbridge) and read what happened and the laws I wrote and programs I developed.
I’m very active in my community. I volunteer for organizations such as the Porter County Veterans Court, the American Legion, where I’m the past Auxiliary President, my local nursing home for 10 years. As well as developed scholarship programs for high school seniors.
I’m a fighter against in justices. So much so that I’ve written new laws, lobbied for those laws and was able to see them successfully passed into law!!
My approach to Family Law is caring, compassion, and careful listening. You know your story better than anyone.I will take the time to listen to you. I will help you understand what legal and non-leagal steps you can take.
If your case requires me to talk with children, I sit with you in your environment where your children are most comfortable. Especially if there is sensitive information that needs to be shared.
Lastly, I’ve been where you are at. I once was with an abusive partner. Getting away was difficult. I had no help from the law. I clawed my way out. I raised my boys myself. I struggled but I did it!
There isn’t much I haven’t gone through in life, including the murder of my eldest son.
As a parent and grandparent (Oliver, who is 7 years old). I understand the day to day struggles. I know the struggles of buying groceries, paying bills, being present with your kids when you’re exhausted. I know that many times it’s the little things that need attention.
I’m also occasionally available on the weekend. I am definitely available after “normal” hours. You shouldn’t have to take time off from work to meet with a lawyer.
So you see, I’m not a traditional lawyer, I truly care about what’s going on in your life.
- Purdue University - Purdue University North Central
- B.A. | Psychology and Sociology
- Honors: Winner of the Hyde Park Forum
- Activities: Soccer coach
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- Valparaiso University School of Law
- J.D. (2004) | Law
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- Honors: Honor papers.
- Activities: Women’s Prayer Group
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- Author and lobbyist for reform statutes involving violent offenders who claim to be legally insane.
- Nevada Law Legislators
- Current
- My oldest son was jumped and stabbed to death while vacationing in Las Vegas Nevada. The person who murdered him had spent the previous 2 weeks on a “drug bender” ingesting heroine, cocaine, meth, and a number of other hard core drugs. His defense was that he was mentally insane because he was under the inducement of these drugs. Unfortunately, Nevada’s laws were very outdated. Because of his bizarre behavior in jail while coming down from his drug induced stupor the jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity. After 6 months of detox and proper medication he was deemed to no longer be insane and was going to be released after 6 months of imprisonment. I would not sit back and allow this to happen. I spent 4 years writing new laws and creating programs for violent offenders. I was able to keep him locked up for 14 years. Nothing compared to taking a life but much better than 6 months. The new laws are called John’s Law. Named after my son, John Edward Trowbridge.
- Licensed GAL
- Guardian Ad Litum
- Current
- Attorney
- Law Office of Robbin Trowbridge Benko
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- Mediator
- Valparaiso Legal Clinic
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- Attorney
- Prosecuting Attorneys Office
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- Clerk
- Judge Julia Jent
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- John’s Law
- Nevada State Legislators
- State Bar of Indiana # 30285-64
- Member
- Current
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- Indiana
- Indiana Supreme Court
- ID Number: 30285-64
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Free Consultation
I will take the time to listen to what you have to say and explain the legal process while laying out a plan of action to protect your rights! Once I get an idea as to how much legal work that needs to be done I will quote you a price and if necessary work out a payment plan. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Under strict guidelines, I’m willing to consider taking payments for the retainer fee.
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Q. My soon to be daughter in law's mother refuses to hand over her birth certificate. She was born in a different state.
- A: She should be able to get a copy of her birth certificate from the county health department where she was born Birth certificates are public records. She may have to pay a small fee - $5 or so.
- Q. If I have physical custody and we both have split joint legal custody, is he allowed to leave state and not tell me?
- A: He is obligated to tell you were he will be taking your child especially if your child is “being left” with the gf. He is required to inform you why is your daughter being left with the gf. Where is he? Look in your court documents to see if the parents were given “right of first refusal”. What that means is if one parent can’t be with the child during their parenting time the other parent gets the first offer to have the child before getting a baby sitter or leaving child with a gf. If that language is not in any of your records I would file for a modification of parenting time. In that motion for modification you’ll state 1.) you want the court to emphasize that dad cannot ... Read More
- Q. Can cps keep my grandson from me because of a closed case I had 5 years ago and a drug felony that's 5 years old
- A: Let CPS and the court know that you are willing to have a hair follicle drug test done to prove you no longer are on drugs.
If CPS won’t work with you on this send an e-mail to the judge saying you’re willing to take a hair follicle drug test to prove you’re not participating in drugs.
If you have a lawyer, that lawyer can make a motion for you to be in your grandson’s life. You didn’t say where this parents are. That’s important. And if your wanting guardianship of your grandson that’s very different than wanting visitation with your grandson. If this is all CPS - push back! A truthful, sincere letter to the judge should help. What county is this in? Who is the jud ... Read More