Parenting time arrangements are becoming diverse and unique

February 09, 2013

Parenting time arrangements are becoming diverse and unique

Article provided by The Bellinger Law Office
Visit us at http://www.bellingerlaw.com

Creating parenting plans during the divorce process can be difficult for Indiana parents. Each family is unique, and what works for one family will not necessarily work for another. A recent study discovered that parental time arrangements are becoming more diverse, lateral and creative than before. Modern parenting plans can vary widely. Some common choice include: a pure 50-50 time division between the separated parents, occasional co-parenting or allocating a single long block of time to one parent. Each arrangement has both pros and cons.

With 50-50 equal time division, parenting time is split equally between the separated parents. This custody arrangement is known as joint-physical custody. One potential drawback of this arrangement is that it requires the children to travel frequently between the two homes and this can lead to practical difficulties. There have been concerns that this arrangement forces children to move too often. However, according to a new study based on a random sample of 408 separated parents, children generally move from one home to another two to four times every two weeks, despite the complexity of the parental plan.

Allocating a single long block of time to one parent also has advantages and disadvantages. This style of parenting requires fewer transitions between homes and as a result offers a greater predictability to children. When the parents do not get along, this style of parental arrangement can limit children's exposure to the parental hostility. On the other hand, children are separate from one parent for longer periods of time.

Indiana has a court-issued guideline on parenting time

Indiana courts generally take the position that spending a long period of time with one parent is not preferable for infants and very young children. When it comes to duration versus frequency, the Indiana courts usually hold the opinion that frequent short contacts are significantly better for infants and young children than infrequent contacts with longer durations.

Mediation is mandatory in Indiana

In Indiana, mediation is required for any family law disputes involving children, including the creation of a parenting arrangement. Mediation is one type of alternative dispute resolution done out of court. Rather than deciding which parent is correct, the mediator works with both of the parents to reach an agreement. In mediation, parents can speak more liberally, and it is more cost-effective and faster than a trial. When the parents' relationship is tense, a mediator can go back and forth between the separate rooms.

Parental arrangements are becoming diverse and individualized, and they may need to be amended if the needs and circumstances of the parents and children change over the years. If you are about to go through the divorce process, contact an experienced family law attorney who can help you determine what kind of parenting plan is best for your children and also complies with court guidelines.