INDIANAPOLIS —
After two years of review, Indiana judges have approved proposed changes to a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at reducing conflict between parents in child custody cases.
The recommended revisions to the state’s Parenting Time Guidelines cover an array of issues that arise in custody battles, from where children spend their holidays to what happens when warring parents can’t agree on the most basic rules for visitation.
The proposed revisions to the 33-page guidelines were approved last week by the Indiana Judicial Conference, whose members include the state’s trial court judges. If approved by the Indiana Supreme Court, the revised guidelines are expected to go into effect early next year for use by courts throughout the state.
The guidelines serve as a model set of custody-related rules for courts and parents. While some of the language in the guidelines has changed, the basic premise driving them remains the same; that is, that under most circumstances, a child is best served by two actively engaged parents.
“In making any changes we tried to remember the reason for the guidelines is so children can have safe, stable, predictable parenting time with each parent,” said Steuben County Judge William Fee, who chaired a committee of judges who spent two years reviewing the guidelines that were first adopted in 2001.
Some of the changes set out rules for visitation and other matters in painstaking detail. They include, for example, specific times of the day when children can go from one parent to another, spell out what holiday celebrations take precedence over birthday celebrations, and how to evenly split up Christmas vacations that spill over into the New Year.
The revised rules include more detailed rules for how judges can handle issues involving “high-conflict” parents who are unable or unwilling to cooperate with each other or the court.
They also include language that underscores the guidelines’ larger intent: “Parents and attorneys should always demonstrate a spirit of cooperation.”
The original parenting time guidelines were developed as a way to help parents, attorneys and judges deal with the bitter custody disputes that often arise in divorce cases, Fee said.
Prior to their adoption, courts in Indiana varied significantly in how they decided custody disputes. Visitation guidelines differed from county to county and sometimes differed from judge to judge within the same county. That led to confusion and more dispute, he said.
“There is absolutely no doubt that the guidelines reduced the amount of litigation (over custody issues), provided predictability for the children involved, and enhanced the possibility of parents settling these issues for themselves,” Fee said.
The parenting time guidelines don’t apply in cases where there is abuse, neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse or other issues.
One area that the revised guidelines don’t yet include: Rules for when a “parenting coordinator” can be appointed by a judge to work with parents who are in deep dispute about visitation and other issues. The guidelines for parenting coordinators, including how they’re trained and whether they can make binding recommendations, are still undergoing some study.
Maureen Hayden is Statehouse bureau chief for CNHI’s Indiana newspapers. She can be reached at Maureen.hayden@indianamediagroup.com.
State News
Indiana judges revise ‘parenting time’ rules in custody cases
- State News
-
-
Indiana’s high school grad rate continues upward
Indiana’s reported high school graduation rate continues to improve, moving from 77 percent to more than 88 percent in less than a decade, but there are still significant achievement gaps marked by race and income.
-
Schools chief Ritz on fast learning curve
For many occupants of the Indiana Statehouse, the week after the General Assembly wraps up its final frenzy of work is a quiet one. But not for Glenda Ritz.
-
SLIDESHOW: Governor Otis R. Bowen
Photos from the Indiana State Archives of the late Otis R. Bowen, who served as governor of the state as well as in the Ronald Reagan White House. The Bremen native died Saturday
-
Out of office, Lugar shuns retirement
One year ago, Indiana’s longest serving U.S. senator was rejected by Republican primary voters and forced into an unwelcome retirement from a distinguished political career that spanned 46 years. But at 81, former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar is hardly in a resting mode.
-
Lugar wary of Syria involvement
Former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar has been out of office since early January, but he’s still being sought after for his opinion about foreign policy matters he once helped shape.
-
Budget deal includes little funding for criminal code reform
Facing the end-of-session deadline, Indiana legislators moved forward on a bill to overhaul the state’s criminal sentencing laws but left undone the issue of where local communities will get the money to implement it.
-
Legislators closing in on final budget
In his first four months as the chief budget maker in the Indiana House, Republican Rep. Tim Brown hasn’t been surprised by the long hours, multiple demands and intense debate that goes with crafting a $30 billion spending plan.
-
New poll shows voters tepid on Pence tax plan
With just days to go before the deadline for a final budget bill, a new independent poll shows Republican Gov. Mike Pence may not have gotten much mileage for his travels around the state pitching his 10 percent tax cut plan.
-
DOC hopes ‘cold case’ cards lead to solved cases
Indiana state prison officials are using customized playing cards for a deadly serious purpose: To help unlock the mysteries of unsolved murders and persons gone missing.
-
Indiana attorney general says Congress must act on immigration reform
Amidst concerns that the Boston Marathon bombing may derail federal action on comprehensive immigration reform, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is turning up some collective heat on Congress to move ahead.
- More State News Headlines
-
Indiana’s high school grad rate continues upward
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
New Xbox One Entertainment Console Unveiled
