Indiana has important parenting time guidelines that parents should become familiar with if they are divorcing. The state courts presume that it is normally in a child’s best interests to have meaningful, frequent and continued contact with each parent. Thus, the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines were put together to make it easier for parents to develop a parenting schedule that works for their family. The court expects parents to participate in the spirit of cooperation.
In the parenting time guidelines, the first section focuses on a child’s basic needs. These include:
- Being free from siding with either parent and conflict between parents
- Enjoying regular, consistent time with each of their parents
- Physically being safe and also supervised when needed
- To be able to create relationships with other adults, such as grandparents or aunts and uncles, as long as doing so doesn’t interfere/harm the relationship with the parents
- To know that the separation or divorce was not their fault
- To maintain a relationship with each parent independently
- To be involved in these relationships without manipulation
These guidelines have to be followed to do what is in a child’s best interests.
Do the parenting time guidelines address communication?
Yes. The court has stated that parents are expected to provide each other with their contact information, such as their home and work addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers unless there is a safety reason for not doing so. Parents are also expected to provide reasonable access to the telephone to speak with the other parent and should not interfere with those communications.
The court does state that parents should set aside specific times for calls, so that the child can be present for it. The child, however, should be able to call at any time.
Learn more about the parenting time guidelines
There are many guidelines to go over. It’s worth reading through the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines before you start working on your child custody schedule and parenting plan. Doing so will give you a better idea about what the court expects from you as a parent as well as the parenting time expectations within the state.