William P. Means—Attorney / Partner
Email: wmeans@hzlegal.com | Phone: 317.569.2200 | Fax: 317.569.2202
William Means is a partner at Hollingsworth & Zivitz, PC, where he practices exclusively in the area of family law. Bill represents clients with all types of family law issues including: divorce & legal separation; custody; parenting time (visitation); child support; paternity; adoptions (including contested adoptions); prenuptial and postnuptial agreements; post-decree modifications & enforcement (including contempt actions); guardianships, emancipation; domestic partnership agreements & disputes; spousal maintenance (alimony); relocations; protective orders; restraining orders; grandparent rights; education orders; military divorces; CHINS (children in need of services); and family law appeals.
Prior to attending law school, Bill worked in the field of mental health for five years. For approximately two and one-half years, he worked closely with severely and profoundly mentally disabled adults in a therapeutic long-term care setting. Subsequently, Bill worked with mentally ill and substance-dependent adults in a community-based setting. Both experiences have provided him with a special understanding of the challenges that face individuals and families who cope with the unique circumstances mental health related issues could present in family law cases. In 2009 and 2010, Bill was named to the prestigious list of Super Lawyers® Rising Stars for family law by Law & Politics Magazine and Indianapolis Monthly.
Bill strives to help clients reach a resolution with a minimum of conflict. However, when necessary, Bill’s extensive courtroom experience aids him and his clients in preparing for high-conflict legal proceedings.
Bill lives in his hometown, Indianapolis, where he has always been and continues to be active in the community. Outside of his legal career, Bill enjoys golf, photography, and spending time with friends and family.
Education
- Indiana University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
- Purdue University, B.A., Psychology, B.A., General Communications
Awards and honors
- Super Lawyers® Rising Stars, (2010, 2009)
Legal organizations
- Indiana State Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Indianapolis Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Hamilton County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Civic organizations and volunteerism
- Central Indiana Lab Rescue & Adoption, Volunteer
Seminars and articles
- Enforcing Property Distributions in Dissolution Decrees and Collecting Judgments for Clients (February 2008)
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
- Massey v. Conseco Services, L.L.C., 879 N.E.2d 605 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008), trans. denied
- Hilbert v. Conseco Services, L.L.C., 836 N.E.2d 1001 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005), trans. denied, cert. denied
