PDF of the New Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, with edits. (this copy is red-lined so you can see what changes were made).
Overview of Changes to Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines
Changes to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines were approved by the Indiana Supreme Court. The approved Guidelines will go into effect on March 1, 2013. Above is a link to the new Guidelines.
Existing parenting time orders in effect on March 1, 2013 shall be enforced according to the parenting time guidelines that were in effect on the date the parenting time order was issued. Also, changes to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines does not alone constitute good cause for amendment of an existing parenting time visitation order; however, a court or parties to a proceeding may refer to these guidelines in making changes to a parenting time order after the effective date of the guidelines. The commentary to the new Guidelines suggests that parents who agree that current changes to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are in their child’s best interests should file their written agreement with the court for approval.
There are significant changes to the Guidelines, far too many for one posting. Here is a list of some of the most significant changes:
- The use of calendars and parenting plans is strongly encouraged.
- The Guidelines are the minimum amount of time and not a default: "Because the parenting time guidelines are minimum standards, it is recommended parents and courts not “default” to these guidelines in lieu of a consideration of the best parenting time plan."
- Strongly states that children are not to make parenting time decisions.
- A list of the unacceptable reasons to deny parenting time.
- Clarifying the hierarchy between Summer and Holiday parenting time.
- Requires all notices of Summer parenting time to be given in writing and verbally.
- Suggests access to "technologically advanced communications systems" such as video chat and Skype.
- Sometimes, due to holiday parenting time, a parent may have 3 weekends in a row.
- Fall break, MLK and President's Day are added to the Holiday schedule.
- New Year's Eve and New Year's Day have been dropped from the Holiday Schedule.
- The Winter Break schedule has been redefined and split equally.
- A suggestion that parents split Fall and Spring vacation breaks on balanced school calendars equally.
- Parallel Parenting is introduced. There is a model order for parallel parenting.
- "High Conflict" is defined. Parallel parenting and parenting coordination are offered as resources to assist where "high conflict" persists.
To discuss this please contact me. To see all of my postings on this topic search here.
Looking for the "old" guidelines? Go here.