In 2013, the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines underwent significant changes. If you are a parent, or a legal professional working with families facing divorce, it is important to stay up to date with these changes to ensure that you are equipped to advise and advocate for your clients or yourself. In this article, we will cover five key changes in the 2013 Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines that you need to know.
1. Positive Communication
The updated guidelines now encourage parents to communicate positively with each other. This means that parents should avoid speaking negatively about each other to the children or anyone else involved. By focusing on the child’s well-being, parents can create a nurturing environment and encourage a healthy relationship between the child and both parents.
2. Overnight Parenting Time
A significant change in the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines in 2013 was the introduction of overnights for infants and toddlers. While previously, overnight parenting time was restricted until the child turned three, the new guidelines now allow for overnights as long as the child has a secure attachment to both parents and is developmentally ready.
3. Summer Break Scheduling
The new guidelines also provide specific scheduling considerations for summer break. Parents need to consider factors such as the child’s age, developmental needs, extracurricular activities, and vacation plans when deciding on a summer break schedule.
4. Neutral Pickup Locations
In the interest of minimizing conflicts, the updated guidelines suggest using neutral locations for pickup and drop off of the children between parents. This might include schools, community centers, or police stations. The use of neutral locations helps to avoid any emotional confrontations that might occur during the exchange.
5. Frequent and Consistent Contact
The guidelines now emphasize the importance of frequent and consistent contact between the child and both parents. This includes phone calls, video conferencing, and other forms of electronic communication. Such communication helps to preserve the parent-child relationships even in situations where the child is in the care of the other parent for extended periods.
In conclusion, as a lawyer or parent, it is essential to understand the 2013 Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines and their five key changes. The guidelines are aimed at promoting healthy co-parenting relationships, ensuring that parents have enough time to spend with their children, and safeguarding the best interests of the child. By staying informed, parents can ensure that they are complying with the guidelines while advocating for the best outcome for their children.
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