The newly revised Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (herein, “IPTGs”) address several issues relating to parenting time in Indiana, and provide clarification for a number of scenarios to help parents best utilize their parenting time schedules. The IPTGs are just that, a guide, and the parties can agree or be ordered …
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When custody and parenting time have been determined in a divorce or paternity action, a parenting time schedule is often put into place. Generally, a standard parenting time schedule when one parent has been granted primary or sole physical custody of a child over the age of three (3) is …
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A recent House Bill to unanimously pass the Indiana House of Representatives addresses issues of guardianship and custody and the inclusion of information from the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and Children in Need of Services (CHINS) in the guardianship and custody proceedings. House Bill 1041provides that if a …
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Divorce, paternity, or other domestic litigation is a stressful process, and can often lead to anger, bitterness, and miscommunication between parents. However, as we embark on a new year, take a moment to read these five (5) tips for ringing in the New Year more harmonious parenting time. 1.     Be …
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A Chance Encounter with a Divorced Parent Putting the Child First! An observation of family law attorneys and the trial court judges--who have to make difficult to impossible decisions between litigants over children and too are caught in the proverbial middle–is the extraordinary conflict that arises over holiday parenting time, …
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During pending or after completed domestic litigation (i.e. divorce, paternity, custody matters), communication between parents/parties is often extraordinarily challenging for most well- intentioned parents. Many times, a breakdown in communication was a central cause of the underlying problem relationship to begin with, increasing with the stressors of litigation. Although complex …
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The dynamics of what constitutes a “family” have been rapidly changing over the past several decades. What used to be considered family with a mother, father, and two children is no longer the norm, in many cases. Often, families now include step-parents, grandparents, half siblings, etc. This changing make-up of …
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Change is a Constant The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (“IPTGs” or “Guidelines”) offer a baseline for parents in this midst of a divorce or paternity action a guide for parenting time (previously called visitation). The IPTGs continue application after the initial action and custody order. Parenting time issues, disputes, and …
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The Power of a Trial Court To Hold Stepparents in Contempt for Interfering with Custody and Parenting Time As domestic advocates, we sometimes receive questions about the rights of stepparents who may be perceived as, or actually are, interfering with the other parent’s custody and parenting time. This situation creates …
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As domestic advocates, we observe a common source of confusion--and antagonism--between parents as to when they should give (or are required to) the other parent the opportunity for additional parenting time. The controlling Indiana Parenting Time Guideline (“IPTG”), states “[w]hen it becomes necessary that a child be cared for by …
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