{"id":373310,"date":"2019-01-22T11:53:51","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T16:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/visitation-rights-in-indiana.html"},"modified":"2025-06-19T14:23:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T19:23:49","slug":"visitation-rights-in-indiana","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/visitation-rights-in-indiana.html","title":{"rendered":"Visitation Rights in Indiana"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Visitation Rights in Indiana<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Visitation rights in Indiana, which are also referred to as \u201cparenting time,\u201d allow noncustodial parents to spend time with their children. These rights can be limited to supervised visitation if a parent poses a danger. Indiana prioritizes children’s best interests by offering legal and physical custody types and favoring joint legal custody for shared decision-making.<\/p>\r\n

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines help structure visitation, but exceptions exist for cases involving domestic violence or substance abuse. Court orders can modify visitation based on significant changes affecting the child’s welfare. This article will get you up to speed on what you need to know about visitation rights in Indiana.<\/p>\r\n

Custody and Visitation Rights in Indiana<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In Indiana, custody and visitation rights are determined based on the children’s best interests. The focus is placed on their unique needs, well-being, and stability. The state recognizes two primary types of custody: legal and physical. Legal custody<\/a> involves making important decisions about the child’s life. This can include education, healthcare, and religion. Physical custody<\/a> refers to where the child lives.<\/p>\r\n

Indiana courts<\/a> are inclined to favor joint legal custody to ensure both parents are involved in significant decisions. Custody arrangements can include either primary physical custody to one parent or shared parenting, where joint physical custody allows the child to spend substantial time with both parents.<\/p>\r\n

A detailed parenting plan establishes the visitation schedule for the non-custodial parent, outlining regular visitation, holidays, and school breaks. If parents cannot reach an agreement, the court issues a custody order to define each parent’s rights and responsibilities. This ensures the arrangement serves the child’s best interests and supports a consistent and meaningful parent-child relationship.<\/p>\r\n

Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Indiana Supreme Court<\/a> established the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines<\/a> for courts to use when deciding visitation issues. The guidelines provide specific residential schedules for children based on their age and visitation information about parental communication and transportation.<\/p>\r\n

Courts should follow the guidelines, but may offer written reasons not to follow them if it’s in the best interests of the child. The guidelines don’t apply to situations involving the following:<\/p>\r\n