Under Indiana agency law, what does merely assisting an individual create?

In Indiana agency law, merely assisting an individual typically results in a customer relationship. This means that while the broker may be providing some level of assistance or information to the individual, it does not establish a formal agency relationship where the broker would have fiduciary duties to the client.

A customer relationship is characterized by a lack of specific obligations that a broker would have towards a client, such as loyalty and full disclosure of relevant information. Instead, in this type of relationship, the individual is not represented by the broker in a legal sense, which limits the broker's responsibilities. Therefore, the broker can provide information and assistance without being legally bound to act in the individual's best interests, as would be the case in a broker-client relationship.

In contrast, the other options involve more formal or legally recognized relationships that are not created simply by providing assistance. A broker-client relationship requires a more significant commitment, like a signed agreement, which defines the duties and responsibilities of both parties. An employer-employee relationship suggests a formal contract of employment with specific obligations and benefits, while a legal partnership indicates shared ownership and responsibilities between parties, which goes well beyond simple assistance.