Indiana's Revised Parenting Time Guidelines go into effect.

The "Revised" Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines are now in effect. A considerable amount of significant changes have been made in the IPTG, so parents and lawyers should familiarize themselves with the revised IPTG's as soon as possible.  Some of the major changes are:

• The new IPTG states calendars and parenting plans are strongly encouraged.
• The new IPTG are now considered the minimum amount of time parents should have with their children. As stated in the IPTG:  "Because the parenting time guidelines are minimum standards, it is recommended parents and courts not “default” to these guidelines in lieu of a consideration of the best parenting time plan."
• The new IPTG strongly states that children are not to make parenting time decisions. 
• The new IPTG provides a list of the unacceptable reasons for a custodial parent to deny parenting time to the non-custodial parent.
• The new IPTG explains the priorities of Summer and Holiday parenting time. 
• The new IPTG promotes the use of "technologically advanced communications systems" such as video chat and Skype. 
• The new IPTG acknowledges that, sometimes, due to holiday parenting time, a parent may have 3 weekends in a row and existing schedules should not be modified because of the extra weekend. 
• The new IPTG adds Fall break, MLK and President's Day to the new Holiday schedule. 
• The new IPTG states New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are no longer on the Holiday Schedule. 

Most importantly, the new IPTG finally resolves the continuous back-and-forth of Christmas vacations by stating the Winter Break is now split equally. 

The new IPTG should be reviewed by parents and lawyers immediately.  If questions arise, parents should contact their attorneys for a more detailed explanation.

The new Guidelines can be found at: "Revised" Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines.