Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines

Preamble Page 1
“The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are based on the premise that it is usually in a child=s best interest to have frequent, meaningful and continuing contact with each parent.”

“The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a model which may be adjusted depending upon the unique needs and circumstances of each family.”

“The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are designed to assist parents and courts in the development of plans and represent the minimum time a parent should have to maintain frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with a child.”

Use of Term Parenting Time Page 1
“Throughout these Guidelines the words “parenting time” have been used instead of the word “visitation” so as to emphasize the importance of the time a parent spend with a child. The concept that a non-custodial parent “visits” with a child does not convey the reality of the continuing parent-child relationship.”

Minimum Time Concept Page 2
“The concept that these Guidelines represent the minimum time a non-custodial parent should spend with a child should not be interpreted as a limitation of time imposed by the court. They are not meant to foreclose the parents from agreeing to, or the court from granting, such additional or reduced parenting time as may be reasonable in any given case.”

A Child=s Basic Needs Page 3
#2 “To develop and maintain an independent relationship with each parent and to have the continuing care and guidance from each parent.”

Implementing Parenting Time Page 5
“Transportation Responsibilities. Unless otherwise agreed between the parents, the non-custodial parent shall provide transportation for the child at the start of the scheduled parenting time and the custodial parent shall provide transportation for the child at the end of the scheduled parenting time.”

Specific Parenting Time Provisions Section 2 Page 12
“The best parenting plan is one created by parents which fulfills the unique needs of the child and the parents. The specific provisions which follow are designed to assist parents and the court in the development of a parenting plan. They represent the minimum recommended time a parent should have to maintain frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with a child.”

Infants and Toddlers – Commentary Page 14
“ It is critical that a child be afforded ample opportunity to bond with both parents. A young child thrives when both parents take an active role in parenting. There is a positive relationship between the degree of involvement of mothers and fathers and the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of a child.”

Overnight Parenting Time Page 14
“Unless it can be demonstrated that the non-custodial parent has not had regular care responsibilities for the child, parenting time shall include overnights.”

Commentary - “Overnight contact between parents and very young children can provide opportunities for them to grow as a family.”

Parenting Time In Later Infancy Page 16
B. Child 3 Years of Age and Older Commentary
“Where the distance from the non-custodial parent=s residence makes it reasonable, the weekday period may be extended to an overnight stay.”

Special Considerations - Commentary Page 20
“Parents also must develop a parenting plan that assures regular involvement of both parents.”

Section III - Parenting Time When Distance is a Major Factor - Commentary Page 24
“The parents shall make every effort to establish a reasonable parenting time schedule.”