PARENTING PLAN

STATE OF INDIANA

In the [________________________________] Court
[________________________________] County, Indiana

Cause No.: [____]-[____]-[____]-[____]-[________]

INTRODUCTION

This Parenting Plan is submitted to the Court pursuant to Indiana law governing custody and parenting time under IC 31-17-2 and the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines ("IPTG") adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court. The IPTG establish minimum parenting time standards; any deviation resulting in less than the IPTG minimum must be accompanied by a written explanation as required under IPTG Section I(B).

This Plan is intended to:
- Serve the best interests of the child(ren) as determined under IC 31-17-2-8
- Provide frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with both parents
- Establish clear and predictable parenting time schedules
- Minimize the impact of parental separation on the child(ren)
- Reduce parental conflict by defining expectations in advance

PART 1: IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

A. Parent Information

Parent A:
- Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
- Address: [________________________________], Indiana [________]
- County of Residence: [________________________________]
- Home Phone: [________________________________]
- Cell Phone: [________________________________]
- Work Phone: [________________________________]
- Email: [________________________________]
- Employer: [________________________________]
- Work Schedule: [________________________________]

Parent B:
- Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
- Address: [________________________________], Indiana [________]
- County of Residence: [________________________________]
- Home Phone: [________________________________]
- Cell Phone: [________________________________]
- Work Phone: [________________________________]
- Email: [________________________________]
- Employer: [________________________________]
- Work Schedule: [________________________________]

B. Child(ren) Information

C. Other Persons Residing in Each Parent's Household

Parent A's Household:

Parent B's Household:

PART 2: LEGAL CUSTODY

A. Legal Custody Designation

☐ Joint Legal Custody — Both parents share authority and responsibility for major decisions regarding the child(ren)'s upbringing, including education, health care, and religious training, as defined under IC 31-9-2-67 and IC 31-17-2-13.

☐ Sole Legal Custody to Parent A — Parent A has exclusive decision-making authority for major decisions.

☐ Sole Legal Custody to Parent B — Parent B has exclusive decision-making authority for major decisions.

B. Joint Legal Custody Factors (IC 31-17-2-15)

If joint legal custody is selected, the parties have considered:

1. ☐ Both parents have agreed to joint legal custody (primary but not determinative factor)
2. ☐ Both parents are fit and suitable custodians
3. ☐ Both parents are willing and able to communicate and cooperate in advancing the child(ren)'s welfare
4. ☐ The child(ren)'s wishes have been considered (with greater weight if child is 14 or older)
5. ☐ The child(ren) have established close and beneficial relationships with both parents
6. ☐ The physical and emotional environment in each parent's home has been evaluated
7. ☐ The distance between the parents' residences and its impact on joint custody has been considered

C. Major Decision-Making Protocol (Joint Legal Custody)

For joint legal custody, major decisions shall be handled as follows:

Step 1: The parent first aware of a decision that needs to be made shall notify the other parent within [____] business days.

Step 2: Both parents shall confer in good faith and attempt to reach agreement within [____] days of notification.

Step 3: If the parents cannot agree, they shall submit the dispute to mediation before seeking court intervention.

Allocation of Tie-Breaking Authority (if applicable):

Emergency Decisions: The parent with physical custody at the time of the emergency may make urgent medical decisions and shall notify the other parent as soon as practicable.

PART 3: PHYSICAL CUSTODY AND PARENTING TIME

A. Physical Custody Arrangement

☐ Primary physical custody with Parent A; Parent B receives parenting time per this Plan.
☐ Primary physical custody with Parent B; Parent A receives parenting time per this Plan.
☐ Shared physical custody with substantially equal parenting time per the schedule below.

Child(ren)'s primary address for school enrollment and mailing: [________________________________]

B. Regular Parenting Time Schedule

☐ Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (IPTG) Standard Schedule — The noncustodial parent shall have parenting time as set forth in the current IPTG, including:
- Alternating weekends from Friday at 6:00 PM to Sunday at 6:00 PM
- One weekday evening per week from [____]:00 PM to [____]:00 PM (per IPTG for children age 3 and older)
- Holiday schedule per IPTG
- Summer schedule per IPTG

☐ Custom Parenting Time Schedule:

Weekly Schedule:

Overnight Schedule Summary:
- Parent A overnights per two-week cycle: [____]
- Parent B overnights per two-week cycle: [____]

If this schedule provides less than the IPTG minimum parenting time, the following written explanation is provided as required by IPTG Section I(B):
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

C. Parenting Time for Younger Children (Under Age 3)

If any child is under age three (3), the following developmentally appropriate schedule applies per IPTG guidance for infants and toddlers:

☐ Birth to 12 months:
- [________________________________]
- Frequent, shorter visits encouraged; overnight at noncustodial parent's home:
☐ Not yet appropriate ☐ Appropriate, [____] night(s) per week

☐ Ages 1 to 3:
- [________________________________]
- Overnights: ☐ [____] night(s) per week ☐ Per IPTG recommendations

Transition to standard schedule: When the youngest child reaches age [____], the standard parenting time schedule set forth in Section B above shall take effect.

D. Holiday Parenting Time Schedule

Holidays supersede the regular parenting time schedule. The following schedule applies, alternating annually unless otherwise noted:

Note: In alternating years, the designations reverse (Parent A receives what Parent B had, and vice versa).

E. Summer Parenting Time (per IPTG)

Per the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines:

☐ Children age 5 and older: The noncustodial parent is entitled to one-half of summer vacation. The parent exercising extended summer parenting time shall notify the other parent of the chosen dates by April 1 of each year.

☐ Children ages 3 through 4: The noncustodial parent is entitled to up to four (4) nonconsecutive weeks during summer.

☐ Custom summer arrangement:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

During the other parent's extended summer parenting time, the non-exercising parent shall have:
☐ The IPTG standard midweek and alternating weekend schedule
☐ Custom schedule: [________________________________]

F. Vacation and Extended Travel

• Each parent may take up to [____] consecutive days of vacation with the child(ren) per calendar year with at least [____] days' written notice.
• The traveling parent shall provide a travel itinerary, destination address, and emergency contact information.
• International travel requires ☐ written consent of both parents ☐ prior court approval.
• Passports shall be maintained by [________________________________] and made available for approved travel.

PART 4: TRANSITIONS AND EXCHANGES

A. Exchange Locations

☐ The receiving parent shall pick up the child(ren) at the other parent's residence.
☐ Exchanges at a neutral location: [________________________________]
☐ Exchanges at the child(ren)'s school when school is in session; at [________________________________] when school is not in session.
☐ Other: [________________________________]

B. Transportation Responsibilities

☐ The receiving parent provides transportation for pickup.
☐ Parent A provides all transportation.
☐ Parent B provides all transportation.
☐ Shared equally (each parent drives one way).
☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Exchange Protocol

• Both parents shall ensure the child(ren) are ready at the scheduled time.
• The picking-up parent shall wait [____] minutes for the child(ren) before contacting the other parent. If not resolved within [____] additional minutes, the pick-up parent may leave.
• Late arrivals of more than [____] minutes without advance notice and reasonable explanation may constitute a violation of this Plan.
• Neither parent shall engage in conflict, interrogation of the child(ren), or discussion of legal matters during exchanges.
• Both parents shall be courteous and respectful at all exchanges.

D. Right of First Refusal

When either parent is unable to personally care for the child(ren) during their scheduled parenting time for a period exceeding [____] consecutive hours (not including the child(ren)'s regular school day or sleeping hours), that parent shall first offer the time to the other parent before arranging alternate childcare.

The other parent shall respond within [____] hours of receiving the offer. If the other parent declines or does not respond, the offering parent may arrange alternate childcare.

PART 5: COMMUNICATION

A. Communication Between Parents

• Primary method of communication: ☐ Email ☐ Text message ☐ Co-parenting application (e.g., OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents) ☐ Other: [________________________________]
• Parents shall respond to non-emergency communications within [____] hours.
• All communication shall be respectful, businesslike, and focused on the child(ren)'s needs.
• Neither parent shall use the child(ren) as messengers between the parents.

B. Communication Between Parent and Child(ren)

Per the IPTG, when the child(ren) are with one parent, the other parent is entitled to reasonable telephone, video, and electronic contact, including:
- ☐ Daily telephone or video contact at a reasonable time, generally between [____]:00 PM and [____]:00 PM
- ☐ Calls initiated by the child(ren) at any reasonable time
- ☐ The custodial parent shall ensure the child(ren) have access to a phone or device for communication
- ☐ Neither parent shall monitor, record, or interfere with the child(ren)'s communications with the other parent

C. Social Media and Online Activity

• Neither parent shall post photographs or information about the child(ren) that could be harmful or embarrassing.
• Neither parent shall allow the child(ren) to view disparaging posts or communications about the other parent.
• Parents shall jointly establish age-appropriate guidelines for the child(ren)'s social media use and screen time.

PART 6: CHILD-REARING PROVISIONS

A. Education

• The child(ren) shall attend school in the [________________________________] School District / Corporation.
• Both parents shall have access to school records, be listed as authorized contacts, and be notified of school events.
• Both parents shall attend parent-teacher conferences: ☐ jointly ☐ separately upon request.
• Homework: Each parent shall ensure completion of homework assignments during their parenting time.
• Decisions regarding school enrollment changes, special education (IEP/504), and retention shall be made ☐ jointly ☐ by the parent with legal custody.

B. Health Care

• The child(ren)'s primary care physician: [________________________________]
• The child(ren)'s dentist: [________________________________]
• Health insurance shall be maintained by: ☐ Parent A ☐ Parent B ☐ Both parents
• Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and mental health expenses shall be divided: ☐ Equally (50/50) ☐ Proportionally based on income ([____]% / [____]%) ☐ Other: [________________________________]
• Both parents shall have access to medical records and the right to communicate with the child(ren)'s health care providers.
• Each parent shall promptly inform the other of any illness, injury, or medical condition arising during their parenting time.

C. Mental Health and Counseling

• If the child(ren) are in counseling or therapy, both parents shall support the treatment and comply with the therapist's recommendations.
• The decision to begin, modify, or end counseling shall be made ☐ jointly ☐ by the parent with legal custody.
• The therapist shall be informed of the parenting plan and custody arrangement.

D. Religious Upbringing

☐ The child(ren) shall be raised in the [________________________________] faith/tradition.
☐ Each parent may take the child(ren) to religious services during their parenting time.
☐ Religious upbringing decisions shall be made jointly.
☐ Other: [________________________________]

E. Extracurricular Activities

• Both parents shall encourage the child(ren)'s participation in age-appropriate activities.
• A parent enrolling a child in a new activity that extends into the other parent's parenting time shall obtain the other parent's agreement in advance.
• Both parents are encouraged to attend the child(ren)'s events and shall conduct themselves respectfully.
• Costs for agreed-upon extracurricular activities shall be divided: ☐ Equally ☐ Proportionally ☐ Other: [________________________________]

F. Discipline and Consistency

• Neither parent shall use corporal punishment.
• Parents shall make reasonable efforts to maintain consistent bedtimes, meal routines, and household expectations.
• Neither parent shall permit the child(ren) to engage in activities inappropriate for their age.

G. Exposure to New Relationships

• Neither parent shall have a romantic partner spend the night while the child(ren) are present until: ☐ the relationship has lasted at least [____] months ☐ the child(ren) have been introduced gradually ☐ no restriction applies.
• Neither parent shall allow a person with a known history of violent or sexual offenses to have unsupervised access to the child(ren).

PART 7: NON-DISPARAGEMENT AND PARENTAL CONDUCT

A. Non-Disparagement

Neither parent shall make negative, derogatory, or disparaging remarks about the other parent, the other parent's family, significant others, or household members in the presence of the child(ren) or within the child(ren)'s hearing.

B. No Parental Alienation

Neither parent shall engage in conduct designed to undermine the child(ren)'s relationship with the other parent, including:
- Limiting the child(ren)'s contact with the other parent outside the terms of this Plan
- Discussing adult legal matters with the child(ren)
- Questioning the child(ren) about the other parent's activities or relationships
- Making the child(ren) feel guilty about enjoying time with the other parent

C. Substance Use

Neither parent shall consume alcohol to the point of impairment or use illegal substances during parenting time or within twelve (12) hours before parenting time begins. Neither parent shall operate a motor vehicle while transporting the child(ren) after consuming alcohol or drugs.

D. Firearms Safety

All firearms in either parent's household shall be stored unloaded in a locked container with ammunition stored separately, inaccessible to the child(ren).

PART 8: RELOCATION

Pursuant to IC 31-17-2.2-1:

A. Notice Requirements

A parent intending to relocate must:
1. File a notice of intent to move with the clerk of the [________________________________] Court, [________________________________] County, Indiana.
2. Serve the non-relocating parent at least thirty (30) days before the intended move (or within fourteen (14) days of learning of the move, whichever is sooner).

B. Exceptions

No notice is required if:
- The relocation has been addressed by a prior court order; or
- The move increases distance by no more than twenty (20) miles and allows the child(ren) to remain enrolled in their current school.

C. Contents of Notice

The notice must include:
- The intended new address (or a general location if the specific address is not yet determined)
- The date of the intended move
- A brief statement of the reason for the move
- A proposal for revised parenting time to maintain the child(ren)'s relationship with both parents

D. Response and Court Action

The non-relocating parent may file a motion to prevent or modify the terms of the relocation. Until the Court rules, the existing custody and parenting time order remains in effect. The Court shall consider the best interest factors under IC 31-17-2-8 in evaluating any relocation dispute.

PART 9: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROVISIONS

☐ Not applicable — No history of domestic violence.

☐ Applicable — The following provisions apply based on domestic violence considerations under IC 31-17-2-8(7) and IC 31-17-2-8.3:

• ☐ A protective order is currently in effect: Case No. [________________________________], issued by [________________________________] Court, [________________________________] County.
• ☐ Supervised parenting time is required under IC 31-17-2-8.3 due to conviction for domestic or family violence witnessed or heard by the child(ren). Supervision shall continue for at least [____] year(s).
• ☐ The parent must complete a batterer's intervention program under IC 31-17-2-8.3(d) before unsupervised parenting time may be considered.
• ☐ Exchanges shall occur at a supervised location or law enforcement facility: [________________________________]
• ☐ Other safety measures: [________________________________]

PART 10: DISPUTE RESOLUTION

A. Direct Communication

Parents shall first attempt to resolve disagreements through direct, respectful discussion.

B. Mediation

If unable to resolve a dispute, the parents shall engage a qualified Indiana family mediator before filing a court motion. Cost of mediation shall be shared ☐ equally ☐ proportionally: [____]% / [____]%.

C. Parenting Coordinator

☐ The parties agree to engage a parenting coordinator to assist with implementation and dispute resolution.
- Parenting Coordinator: [________________________________]
- Scope of authority: [________________________________]

D. Guardian ad Litem / CASA

☐ The Court has appointed or may appoint a Guardian ad Litem under IC 31-17-6 to represent the child(ren)'s best interests.
☐ The Court has appointed or may appoint a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) under IC 31-17-6.

E. Court Proceedings

If mediation fails, either parent may petition the [________________________________] Circuit / Superior Court, [________________________________] County, Indiana, for relief.

F. Emergency Proceedings

Either parent may seek emergency relief to protect the child(ren)'s health or safety without first engaging in mediation.

PART 11: PARENTING EDUCATION

Many Indiana counties require completion of a parenting education program in dissolution and custody cases. See local county rules.

☐ Both parents shall complete a court-approved co-parenting education program within [____] days of filing.
- Program required by [________________________________] County local rules
- Minimum duration: [____] hours
- Parent A completion date: [__/__/____]
- Parent B completion date: [__/__/____]

☐ Parenting education has been completed by both parents.

☐ Not required by local rule.

PART 12: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

A. Child Support

Child support shall be established or modified pursuant to the Indiana Child Support Guidelines (IC 31-16-6) and is addressed ☐ in this proceeding ☐ in a separate child support order.

B. Health Insurance

☐ Parent A shall maintain health, dental, and vision insurance for the child(ren).
☐ Parent B shall maintain health, dental, and vision insurance for the child(ren).
☐ Both parents shall maintain coverage.

C. Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, orthodontic, optical, psychological, and pharmaceutical expenses shall be allocated:
☐ Equally (50% / 50%)
☐ Proportionally based on income: Parent A [____]% / Parent B [____]%
☐ Other: [________________________________]

The parent incurring the expense shall provide documentation within [____] days. The other parent shall reimburse within [____] days of receiving documentation.

D. Childcare Costs

Work-related childcare costs shall be allocated:
☐ Included in child support calculation
☐ Equally
☐ Proportionally: Parent A [____]% / Parent B [____]%
☐ Other: [________________________________]

E. Education Expenses

☐ Private school tuition: [________________________________]
☐ College savings contributions: [________________________________]
☐ Other: [________________________________]

PART 13: MODIFICATION AND REVIEW

A. Annual Review

Parents agree to review this Parenting Plan annually, on or about [________________________________], to ensure it continues to serve the child(ren)'s best interests and to address the child(ren)'s changing developmental needs.

B. Modification by Agreement

This Plan may be modified by written agreement of both parents, approved by the Court.

C. Modification by Court Order

Either parent may petition the Court for modification pursuant to IC 31-17-2-21 upon showing a substantial change in one or more of the best-interest factors under IC 31-17-2-8.

PART 14: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Integration. This Parenting Plan, together with any court orders in the above-captioned cause, constitutes the entire agreement between the parents regarding custody and parenting time.

Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.

Governing Law. This Plan is governed by Indiana Code Title 31, Article 17, and the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines.

Counterparts. This Plan may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

EXECUTION

We, the undersigned parents, affirm that this Parenting Plan is in the best interests of our child(ren) and that we enter into it voluntarily.

PARENT A:

Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

PARENT B:

Signature: _________________________________
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

VERIFICATION (Indiana Trial Rule 11)

I, [________________________________], affirm under the penalties for perjury that the foregoing representations are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Signature: _________________________________
Date: [__/__/____]

I, [________________________________], affirm under the penalties for perjury that the foregoing representations are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Signature: _________________________________
Date: [__/__/____]

ATTORNEY SIGNATURES (if represented)

Attorney for Parent A:
Name: [________________________________]
Indiana Attorney No.: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Signature: _________________________________

Attorney for Parent B:
Name: [________________________________]
Indiana Attorney No.: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Signature: _________________________________

COURT APPROVAL AND ORDER

The Court, having reviewed the foregoing Parenting Plan and having considered the best interest factors under IC 31-17-2-8, the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, and all applicable provisions of IC 31-17-2, finds that this Plan is in the best interests of the child(ren) and is hereby APPROVED and made an ORDER of this Court.

☐ This Parenting Plan is incorporated into the Decree of Dissolution.
☐ This Parenting Plan is adopted as the custody and parenting time order.
☐ Other: [________________________________]

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: [__/__/____]

_________________________________
Judge, [________________________________] Circuit / Superior Court
[________________________________] County, Indiana

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Indiana Code 31-17-2-8 — Best Interest Factors
• Indiana Code 31-17-2-13 — Joint Legal Custody; Finding Required
• Indiana Code 31-17-2-15 — Joint Legal Custody; Matters Considered
• Indiana Code 31-17-2-17 — Joint Legal Custody; Modification
• Indiana Code 31-17-2-21 — Modification of Custody Order
• Indiana Code 31-17-2.2-1 — Relocation Notice Requirements
• Indiana Code 31-17-2-8.3 — Supervised Parenting Time; Domestic Violence
• Indiana Code 31-17-6 — Guardian ad Litem and CASA
• Indiana Code 31-9-2-67 — Definition of "Joint Legal Custody"
• Indiana Code 31-16-6 — Child Support Guidelines
• Indiana Code 31-21 — UCCJEA
• Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (adopted by Indiana Supreme Court, effective March 31, 2001, as amended)
• Indiana Trial Rule 11 — Verification Requirements