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Introduction

Parenting time in Indiana is one of the most important, and sometimes most challenging, aspects of child custody. Whether parents are navigating divorce, legal separation, or paternity cases, understanding Indiana’s parenting time rules, visitation guidelines, and shared custody arrangements is crucial. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (IPTG) serve as the foundation that courts rely on when creating parenting schedules, ensuring children maintain frequent, meaningful contact with both parents whenever possible.

In this blog, we explain how parenting time in Indiana works, how courts establish schedules, what the guidelines require, and how parents can successfully navigate shared custody.

What Parenting Time Means in Indiana

In Indiana, “parenting time” refers to the schedule by which a non-custodial parent spends time with their child. Unlike outdated terms such as “visitation,” the law adopts the broader phrase “parenting time” to recognize that both parents continue to have important roles in raising their children, even if one parent has been designated the primary custodian. Parenting time is governed not by informal arrangements, but by court orders that are grounded in Indiana’s Parenting Time Guidelines.

Legal Foundation: Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (IPTG) are the set of rules courts use to determine fair parenting schedules. These guidelines apply unless parents agree to a different arrangement and the court finds it serves the child’s best interest.

Key objectives of the IPTG include:

• Ensuring children maintain close relationships with both parents.
• Encouraging regular and consistent contact.
• Reducing conflict between parents by setting clear expectations.
• Providing flexibility for families while safeguarding stability for children.

Parenting Schedules: Typical Divisions of Time

Parenting schedules vary depending on the child’s age and the family’s circumstances. Common examples include:

• Alternating Weekends: A standard schedule includes Friday evening through Sunday evening every other weekend, with one midweek evening.
• Week-On/Week-Off: For older children, some parents adopt a rotating weekly schedule to maximize equal time and create predictability.
• Extended Summer Parenting Time: Non-custodial parents receive extended parenting time (often several weeks) during summer breaks.

Courts may modify any of these depending on distance between parents, school obligations, and the child’s best interests.

Shared Custody in Indiana Explained

Shared custody, often referred to as joint legal custody or joint physical custody, is not automatically presumed in every case. Indiana law looks at the best interests of the child to determine whether shared custody is appropriate.

• Joint Legal Custody: Both parents share decision-making authority regarding major aspects of the child’s life (education, healthcare, religion).
• Joint Physical Custody: The child splits significant time between homes, though not necessarily equally.

Parents often confuse equal parenting time with legal joint custody. While equal time can occur, courts consider whether such schedules are practical and in the child’s best interests.

Parenting Time Rules for Different Ages of Children

The IPTG provides age-specific recommendations:

• Infants: Shorter, more frequent visits to build attachment. Overnight stays may be gradual.
• Toddlers and School-Age Children: Longer blocks of time, including regular overnights and weekends.
• Teenagers: Courts allow more flexibility due to extracurricular and social schedules but still require designated parenting time.

Holiday, Vacation, and Special Occasion Parenting Time

Holiday parenting time is divided equally and alternates yearly between parents. Common splits include:

• Thanksgiving on alternating years.
• Christmas and winter break divided so each parent shares the holiday season.
• Spring and fall breaks equally divided.
• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day reserved for each parent, regardless of whose weekend it falls on.

Summer vacation schedules allow extended parenting time, particularly for non-custodial parents, so children can spend uninterrupted periods with both parents.

Modification of Parenting Time Orders

Parenting time orders can be modified if:

• There is a substantial change in circumstances affecting the child’s best interests.
• One parent relocates.
• Work or school schedules shift significantly.

Courts encourage modifications when they benefit the child’s stability, though the threshold for altering orders can be high. Parents should formally request changes through the courts rather than relying on informal agreements that may later cause disputes.

Enforcement of Parenting Time Rules

If a parent denies or interferes with parenting time, the other parent may seek court enforcement. Indiana courts can:

• Hold a non-compliant parent in contempt.
• Order make-up parenting days.
• Award attorney’s fees to the parent enforcing the order.

Indiana law emphasizes that parenting time is a legal right, and violations are taken seriously.

Parenting Time and High-Conflict Situations

For families with high conflict, controlling parenting schedules through detailed court orders is often critical. Courts may require:

• Supervised Parenting Time: If safety or mental health issues exist.
• Therapeutic Parenting Time: In cases involving estrangement or reunification concerns.
• Parallel Parenting Plans: Limited communication between parents to reduce conflict.

Such measures prioritize the child’s safety and well-being while preserving parent-child relationships.

Tips for Successful Co-Parenting

• Communicate respectfully and keep discussions child-focused.
• Use shared online calendars or parenting apps to reduce scheduling disputes.
• Stay flexible when possible, but always comply with the court-ordered schedule.
• Consider mediation before resorting to litigation over disputes.

Conclusion

Parenting time in Indiana is designed to protect children’s relationships with both parents and create predictable routines that serve their best interests. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines provide a clear framework for schedules, holidays, and conflict resolution, but every case must be evaluated individually. Parents who understand the rules, comply with orders, and prioritize their child’s needs are more likely to foster long-term stability and positive outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if we agree on a different schedule than the Guidelines?
   Courts allow customized parenting schedules if they are in the child’s best interests and both parents agree.
2. Can parenting time be denied if a parent is behind on child support?
   No. Parenting time and child support are separate legal matters. A parent cannot withhold parenting time for unpaid support.
3. What if my child does not want to visit with the other parent?
   The court-ordered schedule must generally be followed. Parents should not leave the choice solely to the child and should seek legal advice before withholding parenting time.
4. How can we adjust parenting time if one parent relocates far away?
   The court may revise the schedule, often including longer blocks of time during school breaks to compensate for distance.
5. What resources are available for high-conflict parenting disputes?
   Mediation, parenting coordination, and supervised visitation centers are available in Indiana to support families facing ongoing conflict.

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This blog was written by attorneys at Ciyou & Associates, P.C., and this blog is not intended to provide specific legal advice or solicitation of services as this is an advertisement.