When it comes to raising children after a separation or divorce, Indiana law encourages both parents to remain actively involved in their child’s life. That’s where Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines come into play. They can be found online at https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/parenting/default.htm and are also downloadable in PDF form
These guidelines serve as a framework for creating parenting schedules and resolving disagreements. They’re designed to help parents share time fairly and minimize conflict — always with the child’s best interest in mind.
What Do the Guidelines Cover?
- Regular weekly schedules
- Holiday schedules and school breaks
- Communication rules between parents
- Transportation responsibilities
- Virtual visitation
The guidelines can be adapted to fit the unique needs of your family, especially for very young children or long-distance parenting plans.
When Do Courts Use the Guidelines?
There’s a common misconception that the Guidelines are automatically binding on families. But they’re not really laws – they’re a collection of suggestions that have been vetted by family law and social worker experts as a reasonable default that should fit most families, most of the time. Judges often default to these guidelines when creating or reviewing custody orders — some Court Orders will directly reference the guidelines and order parents to follow them, others might differ from them depending on the individual judge’s preferences. But parents are encouraged to work together and come up with a customized agreement that works best for their child. As long as it’s reasonable and in the child’s best interest, the court will usually approve it.
What If One Parent Isn’t Following the Guidelines even when we’ve been ordered to?
If a parent consistently violates the parenting plan, it’s important to document the issue and speak with a family law attorney. The court can enforce or modify orders to ensure compliance, including potentially punishing a parent if problems and non-compliance continue to exist..
If you need help understanding your parenting rights or creating a plan that works, Sutton Law is here to help you build a strategy that supports your child and reduces stress for everyone involved. Call today for a consultation.
