Understanding Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines: A Complete Guide for Parents

If you're going through a divorce or separation in Indiana and you have kids, you've probably heard the phrase "Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines" thrown around. Maybe your attorney mentioned it. Maybe you saw it in court documents. Maybe you Googled "Indiana custody schedule" at 2am and ended up more confused than when you started.

Here's the plain-English breakdown of what these guidelines actually mean for you and your kids.

What Are the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines?

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are the state's official recommendations for how divorced or separated parents should share time with their children. Think of them as Indiana's "default playbook" for custody schedules.

Key things to know:

• They were created by the Indiana Supreme Court
• They apply to most custody situations in the state
• They cover everything from regular weekly schedules to holidays to summer breaks
• Courts use them as a starting point (though specific situations may vary)

These aren't just suggestions pulled from thin air. They're based on research about child development and what tends to work best for kids in shared custody situations.

Who Do the Guidelines Apply To?

The guidelines apply to noncustodial parents - meaning the parent who doesn't have primary physical custody. However, many parents with 50/50 arrangements also use them as a framework.

They cover:

• Regular parenting time (weekday/weekend schedules)
• Holiday schedules
• Summer vacation time
• School breaks
• Special occasions (birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day)
• Transportation responsibilities

If you have a custody arrangement in Indiana, these guidelines are probably relevant to you.

Common Schedule Types

Every Other Weekend (Basic)

The most traditional arrangement:

• Noncustodial parent gets every other weekend
• Usually Friday evening through Sunday evening
• Sometimes includes a midweek evening visit

Week On/Week Off (50/50)

Increasingly common for involved co-parents:

• One week with Mom, one week with Dad
• Handoffs typically on Friday or Sunday
• Requires parents to live relatively close to each other

2-2-3 Schedule

A rotating pattern that ensures both parents get weekday and weekend time:

• Parent A: Monday-Tuesday
• Parent B: Wednesday-Thursday
• Alternate weekends (Friday-Sunday)

This one can be confusing to track without a good calendar system.

The Holiday Schedule (Where It Gets Complicated)

Here's where most parents get tripped up. Indiana's guidelines include a detailed holiday schedule that typically alternates by year.

Holidays covered include:

• New Year's Day/Eve
• Easter/Spring Break
• Memorial Day Weekend
• July 4th
• Labor Day Weekend
• Thanksgiving (including the full weekend)
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• Fall Break
• And more...

The alternating pattern:

• In even-numbered years, one parent gets certain holidays
• In odd-numbered years, they swap
• Some holidays (like Thanksgiving) include the entire weekend
• Some (like Christmas) may be split between Eve and Day

Here's the tricky part: These holiday schedules override your regular weekly schedule. So if it's normally "your week" but the other parent has Thanksgiving that year, the holiday takes precedence.

This is exactly why so many parents end up confused. You can't just look at a regular calendar and know who has the kids - you have to cross-reference holidays, check what year it is, and do mental math.

Age-Based Considerations

The guidelines also recognize that what works for a teenager doesn't work for a toddler.

For very young children (under 3):

• More frequent, shorter visits are often recommended
• Overnight stays may be limited initially
• Focus on consistency and routine

For school-age children:

• Regular schedules become more important
• School calendar drives a lot of decisions
• Kids may have input on arrangements

For teenagers:

• More flexibility is often appropriate
• Their activities and social lives matter
• They may have stronger preferences about where they stay

Transportation and Handoffs

The guidelines also address the practical stuff:

• Who drives? Generally, the parent beginning their parenting time does the pickup
• Where? School pickups are common; otherwise, the child's residence or a neutral location
• When? Specific times are typically set (e.g., 6:00 PM Friday)

These details might seem minor, but unclear handoff expectations cause a LOT of co-parent conflict.

What If the Guidelines Don't Fit Your Situation?

Here's the thing: the guidelines are a starting point, not a rigid rulebook.

Courts can and do modify them based on:

• Work schedules (shift work, travel requirements)
• Distance between parents' homes
• Children's special needs
• History of domestic violence or substance abuse
• The child's specific needs and preferences

You and your co-parent can also agree to a different arrangement, as long as it's in the child's best interest and the court approves.

Common Questions Parents Ask

"Do I have to follow these exactly?"

Not necessarily. They're guidelines, not laws. But if you end up in court and don't have a compelling reason for deviation, judges often default to them.

"What if my ex and I agreed to something different?"

That's fine! If you both agree and it works for the kids, courts generally approve. Get it in writing.

"How do I know who has the kids for [specific holiday]?"

Check the guidelines for the specific holiday, then check whether it's an odd or even year. Then check if there are any special rules (like "Thanksgiving includes the whole weekend").

Yeah, it's complicated. This is exactly why people end up checking their custody agreement over and over.

"What if we live in different states?"

That adds complexity. Generally, the state where the child primarily resides has jurisdiction, but interstate custody involves additional considerations.

The Bottom Line

Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines exist to provide a fair, research-based framework for sharing time with your kids after divorce or separation. They cover the regular schedule, holidays, summers, and special occasions.

The challenge? Actually tracking all of this in real life. The guidelines are written like a legal document (because they are), and turning them into "who has the kids next Thursday?" requires cross-referencing multiple rules, checking the year, and accounting for exceptions.

Most parents end up:

• Checking the custody agreement constantly
• Keeping complicated spreadsheets
• Getting confused around holidays
• Having unnecessary conflicts with their co-parent over scheduling mistakes

There has to be a better way.