The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are a set of recommendations for parents on how to schedule and plan parenting time for their children. The guidelines are intended to provide a framework for parents to work out a parenting time schedule that is in the best interests of their children. The guidelines include recommendations on issues such as the frequency of parenting time, holidays, special occasions, and transportation. They also include information on how to handle conflicts and make changes to the parenting time schedule. The guidelines are not legally binding, but they are often used by courts as a starting point when making decisions about parenting time in child custody cases.

A summary of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines

Frequency of Parenting Time

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recommend that both parents have frequent and meaningful parenting time with their children. This means that parents should work out a schedule that allows for regular and consistent parenting time, such as every other weekend and one evening per week. This schedule should be made so that both parents can get to know their children well and build strong bonds with them.

The guidelines also recommend that parents make every effort to have their children spend holidays and special occasions with both parents, such as birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. This gives the kids a sense of continuity and stability and gives them the chance to celebrate important events with both parents.

It’s important to note that the guidelines are not prescriptive, and the parenting time schedule should be tailored to the child’s and parent’s needs based on the child’s age, development, and the parents’ schedules. Parents should also be willing to make changes to the schedule as needed, such as when one parent needs to travel for work or when a child’s extracurricular activities change.

Holidays and Special occasions

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recommend that parents make every effort to have their children spend holidays and special occasions with both parents. This includes traditional holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, as well as special occasions like birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Having the child spend these important events with both parents provides continuity and stability for the child, as well as the opportunity for the child to celebrate these occasions with both parents.

The guidelines recommend that parents work out a schedule for holiday and special occasion parenting time in advance. This schedule should take into account the child’s age, development, and the parents’ schedules. The schedule should also be flexible enough to allow for changes if needed.

It’s also important to remember that the guidelines are not prescriptive, and the parenting time schedule should be tailored to the child’s and parent’s needs. Therefore, parents should work together to come up with a plan that works best for their family. For example, if a child is older, they may have a preference for which parent they spend the holidays with.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to make sure 
that children can spend time with both parents on holidays and other 
special occasions,while also taking the best interests of the child and 
the schedules of the parents into account.

Transportation

Transportation is an important aspect of parenting time and is addressed in the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. The guidelines recommend that parents work out a transportation plan that is safe, reliable, and consistent for their children. This includes determining who will be responsible for transporting the children to and from parenting time, as well as the location and timing of the exchanges.

It is recommended that parents establish a neutral exchange location, such as a school or a police station, to minimize contact between the parents and reduce the potential for conflict. In addition, it’s important for parents to be punctual and not keep the child waiting for long periods of time during the exchange.

The guidelines also recommend that parents make every effort to share the cost of transportation for their children. This includes the cost of gas and wear and tear on the vehicle, as well as any other transportation-related expenses.

It’s important to note that the guidelines are not prescriptive, and the transportation plan should be tailored to the child’s and parent’s needs based on the child’s age, development, and the parents’ schedules.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to ensure that children have safe, reliable, and consistent transportation during parenting time and that the parents share the cost of transportation in a fair manner.

Flexibility and Cooperation

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines emphasize the importance of flexibility and cooperation between parents when it comes to parenting time. The guidelines recommend that parents make every effort to work out their parenting schedule in a way that is mutually agreeable and that takes into account the needs and schedules of both parents. This means being willing to compromise and make adjustments to the schedule as needed.

For example, if one parent needs to travel for work or has a change in their work schedule, the other parent should be willing to make adjustments to the parenting schedule to accommodate this change. Similarly, if a child’s extracurricular activities change, both parents should work together to adjust the parenting schedule to ensure that the child can continue to participate in these activities.

The guidelines also recommend that parents maintain open lines of communication and work together to resolve any conflicts or disagreements that may arise over parenting time. Parents should be willing to listen to each other’s concerns and work towards a solution that is in the best interests of their children.

It’s important to note that the guidelines are not prescriptive, and the parenting time schedule should be tailored to the child’s and parent’s needs based on the child’s age, development, and the parents’ schedules.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to ensure 
that parents have a flexible and cooperative approach to parenting time 
and that they work together to resolve conflicts and make adjustments to 
the schedule as needed for the best interest of the child.

Resolving Conflicts and Disputes

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recognize that conflicts and disputes may arise over parenting time. The guidelines recommend that parents first try to resolve any conflicts or disagreements through negotiation and compromise. Parents should be willing to listen to each other’s concerns and work towards a solution that is in the best interests of their children.

If necessary, parents can seek the assistance of a mediator or parenting coordinator to help them work out a solution. A mediator is a neutral third party who can help facilitate communication and negotiation between the parents. A parenting coordinator is a professional who can assist parents in implementing their parenting plan and resolving disputes related to parenting time.

If all else fails, parents can seek the assistance of the court to resolve any disputes over parenting time. However, it’s important to note that going to court should be a last resort, as it can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally taxing for all parties involved.

It’s important to remember that the guidelines are not prescriptive, and the parenting time schedule should be tailored to the child’s and parent’s needs based on the child’s age, development, and the parents’ schedules.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to ensure 
that parents have a flexible and cooperative approach to parenting time 
and that they work together to resolve conflicts and disputes in a manner 
that is in the best interest of the child, with the assistance of a 
mediator or parenting coordinator if necessary, and only resort to the 
court if all other options have been exhausted.

Consideration of the Child’s Best Interest

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are based on the principle that the best interests of the child should be the primary consideration in all decisions related to parenting time. This means that the schedule and plan for parenting time should be designed to meet the child’s needs and promote their well-being.

The guidelines recommend that parents take the child’s age, development, and unique needs into account when working out a parenting schedule. For example, a younger child may need more frequent and consistent parenting time with both parents, while an older child may have a preference for which parent they spend more time with.

The guidelines also recommend that parents take into account the child’s relationship with each parent, any special needs or concerns the child may have, and the child’s extracurricular activities and school schedule when working out a parenting time schedule.

It’s also important to remember that the guidelines are not prescriptive, and the parenting time schedule should be tailored to the child’s and parent’s needs. Therefore, parents should work together to come up with a plan that works best for their family and is in the best interest of the child.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to ensure
that the best interests of the child are the primary consideration in all
decisions related to parenting time and that the parenting schedule is
tailored to meet the child's needs and promote their well-being.

Communication with the Child

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recognize the importance of communication with the child when it comes to parenting time. The guidelines recommend that parents involve the child in the process of working out a parenting time schedule and take into account the child’s preferences and needs. This can help the child feel more secure and involved in the process, and it can also help minimize any feelings of confusion or abandonment.

The guidelines also recommend that parents maintain open lines of communication with their children during parenting time. This includes being available to answer the child’s questions and address any concerns they may have. Parents should also make an effort to keep each other informed about their child’s progress, such as their schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

It’s important to remember that the guidelines are not prescriptive, and the parenting time schedule should be tailored to the child’s and parent’s needs based on the child’s age, development, and the parents’ schedules. and that communication with the child should be appropriate to their age and developmental level.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to make sure that parents include their child in making a parenting time schedule, keep lines of communication open with their child during parenting time, and take into account the child’s needs and wants.

Modifying the Parenting Plan

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recognize that situations and circumstances can change over time and that the parenting plan may need to be modified to reflect these changes. The guidelines recommend that parents make every effort to work out any changes to the parenting plan in a mutually agreeable manner.

If the parents are unable to reach an agreement, they can seek the assistance of a mediator or parenting coordinator to help them work out a solution. If all else fails, parents can seek the assistance of the court to resolve any disputes over modifying the parenting plan. However, it’s important to note that going to court should be a last resort, as it can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally taxing for all parties involved.

It’s important to note that the court will only modify a parenting plan if it is in the best interests of the child. The court will take into consideration the child’s age, development, and unique needs, as well as the parents’ circumstances when making a decision about modifying the parenting plan.

It’s also important to remember that the guidelines are not prescriptive and that the parenting plan should be tailored to the child’s and parent’s needs based on the child’s age, development, and parents’ schedules. Therefore, it’s important for parents to review their parenting plan periodically and make necessary changes as the child and family’s circumstances change.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to ensure 
that parents make every effort to work out any changes to the parenting 
plan in a mutually agreeable manner, with the assistance of a mediator or 
parenting coordinator if necessary, and only resort to the court if all 
other optionshave been exhausted and that the modifications are in the 
bestinterest of the child.

Enforcement of the Parenting Plan

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines acknowledge that one parent may violate the parenting plan. The instructions suggest parents negotiate and compromise to resolve non-compliance issues. Parents should discuss their issues and find a solution that benefits their children.

If parents can’t agree, a mediator or parenting coordinator can help. If everything else fails, parents can approach the court to enforce the plan.

The court may take many steps to enforce a parenting plan if a parent violates it. This can involve directing the non-compliant parent to make up missed parenting time, giving the other parent make-up time, or changing the parenting plan to address non-compliance. If a parent doesn’t follow a court order, they could get fined, have to do community service or even go to jail.

The parenting plan should be modified to match the needs of the kid and parents based on the child’s age, development, and schedule. Keep in mind that the principles are not rules.

As the child and family’s circumstances change, parents should review their parenting plan and make the required changes.

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines aim to ensure that parents 
negotiate and compromise to resolve non-compliance issues with 
the help of a mediator or parenting coordinator and only go to court 
if all other options have been exhausted, and to enforce the parenting 
plan in the best interest of the child.

Relocation

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines accept that one parent may want to move with the child to a new city or state. This can affect the parenting routine and cause parental conflict.

The guidelines advise parents to collaborate on relocation and consider the child’s best interests. The court will also consider the child’s best interests when deciding on relocation.

If parents can’t agree, a mediator or parenting coordinator can help. If all else fails, parents can approach the court to resolve relocation disputes.

The court will evaluate the child’s connection with each parent, education and extracurricular activities, and the relocation’s purpose while deciding on a relocation request. The court may also change the parenting time plan to make sure that the child spends time with both parents often and in a meaningful way after the move.

Remember that the principles are not rules and that the parenting plan should be changed to meet the needs of the child and parents based on the child’s age, development, and schedule.

As the child and family’s circumstances change, parents should review their parenting plan and make the required changes.

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are meant to make sure that parents
work together to agree on a move, that they think about what's best for 
the child, and that the court also thinks about what's best for the child 
when deciding on a move or making changes.

Parenting coordinators and mediators

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recognize that conflicts and disputes may arise over parenting time and that parents may benefit from the assistance of a neutral third party to help resolve these issues. The guidelines recommend the use of parenting coordinators and mediators as a way to assist parents in resolving disputes related to parenting time.

A parenting coordinator is a professional who can assist parents in implementing their parenting plan and resolving disputes related to parenting time. They can help parents communicate more effectively, address specific issues related to parenting time, and work out solutions to problems as they arise. Parenting coordinators can also help parents understand the court’s expectations and the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines.

A mediator is a neutral third party who can help facilitate communication and negotiation between the parents. They can help parents understand each other’s perspectives and work towards a mutually agreeable solution. Mediators do not make decisions for the parents but rather help them reach an agreement on their own.

While parenting coordinators and mediators can assist parents in communicating and negotiating in order to reach agreements that are in the best interests of their children, it is vital to remember that neither has the authority to make decisions on their behalf.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to ensure 
that parents have access to support and resources to help them resolve 
conflicts and disputes related to parenting time, such as parenting 
coordinators and mediators, and that these resources are used in a 
manner that is in the best interests of the child.

Court Involvement

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recognize that sometimes parents may need the assistance of the court to resolve disputes related to parenting time. The guidelines recommend that parents make every effort to work out their parenting schedule in a way that is mutually agreeable and that takes into account the needs and schedules of both parents and that they use other resources such as parenting coordinators and mediators to resolve any conflicts or disputes that may arise.

If the parents are unable to reach an agreement, they can seek the assistance of the court to resolve any disputes over parenting time. The court will make a decision based on the best interests of the child, taking into account the child’s age, development, and unique needs, as well as the parent’s circumstances.

When a parent is found to be in violation of a parenting plan, the court may take several actions to enforce the plan. This can include ordering the non-compliant parent to make up missed parenting time, awarding make-up parenting time to the other parent, or even modifying the parenting plan to address the non-compliance. In extreme cases, a parent may be held in contempt of court for failure to comply with a court order, which can lead to fines, community service, or even jail time.

It’s important to remember that going to court should be a last resort, as it can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally taxing for all parties involved. The court’s primary goal is to make a decision that is in the best interests of the child and to make sure that the parenting plan is respected and followed.

Overall, the goal of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is to ensure 
that parents make every effort to work something out.

Additional Resources and Support

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines recognize that parents may need additional resources and support to help them navigate the parenting time process. The guidelines recommend that parents make use of the following resources and support:

• Parenting classes: Many courts and community organizations offer parenting classes that can help parents understand the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines and develop effective parenting skills.
• Support groups: Support groups can provide parents with a forum to share their experiences and receive emotional support from others who are going through similar situations.
• Counselling and therapy: counselling and therapy can help parents work through any emotional issues related to parenting and develop effective coping strategies.
• Legal assistance: Legal assistance can help parents understand their rights and responsibilities under the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines and navigate the legal process.

It’s important to note that these resources and supports are available to assist the parents and the child and that the goal is to help them navigate the parenting time process in a way that is in the best interests of the child and to provide emotional and practical support.

Overall, the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines seek to ensure that 
parents have access to tools and assistance to assist them in navigating 
the parenting time process and that they use these resources and support 
in the best interests of the child.

Conclusion

In summary, the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines provide a framework for parents to work out a parenting time schedule that is in the best interests of their children. The guidelines recommend that parents have frequent and meaningful parenting time with their children, make every effort to be flexible and cooperative, and seek the assistance of a mediator or court if necessary to resolve any conflicts. By following these guidelines, parents can work together to ensure that their children have the stability and support they need during difficult times.