Holidays and Parenting Time in Indiana

02 Nov Holidays and Parenting Time in Indiana

Indiana Guidelines for Holidays and Parenting Time

Well, it’s that time of the year again. The “most wonderful time of the year”. As we enter November and head into the holiday season, family time filled with great food and laughter as well as hours of shopping and gift buying are upon us. It should be the happiest time of the year, but for those who have to split parenting time with another parent, this time of the year might produce less excitement and more stress.

In Indiana, the legislature has tried to set forth guidelines for the holidays and partenting time to help parents navigate co-parenting during this time. According to the Indiana parenting time guidelines, if your child is three (3) years of age or older, which holidays are exercised by the custodial or non-custodial parent depends on whether the current year is even or odd. Custodial parents exercise parenting time in odd numbered years and non-custodial in even years on certain holidays (although this may be changed if the court orders a deviation from the guidelines if the parents agree or if it’s in the best interest of the child).

As we approach the upcoming holidays in 2019, the guidlines lay out the following rules for holidays and parenting time:

• Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, the Custodial Parent shall exercise his/her parenting time from 6:00 PM on Wednesday until 7:00 PM on Sunday.

• Christmas / Christmas Vacation

The Christmas holiday is treated a little differently in Indiana and is encompassed in the Christmas vacation. Absent an agreement between the parents, the Indiana Parenting Guidelines designate the Christmas vacation shall be defined as beginning on the last day of school and ending the last day before school begins again. Each parental party receives one half (1/2) of the total days, on an alternating basis based on odd/even years.

Because 2019 is an odd year, the Non-Custodial Parent shall exercise his/her parenting time during the first half (1/2) of the child or children’s Christmas Vacation and the Custodial Parent shall exercise his/her parenting time during the second half (1/2).

As for Christmas Day itself, in the years where the holiday does NOT fall during a parent’s week, that parent shall exercise parenting time with the child or children from noon (12:00 P.M.) to 9:00 P.M. If in 2019, the Non-Custodial parenting time encompasses the Christmas Holiday, the Custodial Parent will be exercising parenting time specifically on Christmas Day from noon to 9:00 P.M.

• New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Day

The Indiana Parenting Guidelines do NOT consider New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day as separate holidays and parenting time shall be exercise in accordance with the second half (1/2) of the child or children’s Christmas vacation in odd/even numbered years.

Indiana Family Law Attorneys

At Chambers Law Office, we understand that family comes first and most parents just want what’s best for their children. If you need help navigating the holidays and parenting time arrangements, contact us at 317-450-2917 to speak with a family law attorney today!

Our lawyers are experienced trial attorneys who take a client-centered approach. They will take the time to explain the process, discuss your options, and work diligently to obtain the best possible outcome for you.