Indiana Child Custody and Visitation Legal Advice
The state of Indiana has parenting time guidelines that are based on the idea that children need "frequent, meaningful and continuing contact with each parent." The state also acknowledges that each parent nurtures or cares for the child in important ways.
Each parent is a unique individual, and each parent has special gifts to offer and experiences to share with the child or children.
At our New Albany law office, our attorneys work to find agreeable child custody agreements. If you, as a parent, cannot agree on legal and physical custody and visitation, a judge may do it for you. At Mattox & Wilson, L.L.P., we feel it is almost always best to avoid a custody battle and find a way to work out an agreement outside the courtroom.
Child Custody Considerations
There are a number of child custody considerations that you will need to take into account. Child custody determinations will depend upon:
- Parent communication — If your child was injured in an accident, could you agree on medical decisions? When soccer practice is cancelled, could you find a way to arrange for alternate transportation? Can you discuss the small day-to-day issues as well as the important life changing ones?
- Parenting history — How does your past behavior impact a child custody agreement? For instance, if you have been a hard-working but absent parent, will that change? Have you posted negative public comments about your spouse on your social networking page?
- Physical living conditions — Does your work schedule prohibit you from having physical custody of your children? Do you work a night shift or does your work require out of town travel? Will you need to move into an apartment that may not have a separate room for the children?
Indiana Guidelines
The state of Indiana has very specific parenting guidelines regarding physical and legal custody. The guidelines take into consideration such factors as:
- Telephone call frequency — does a phone call or letter count as communication?
- Transportation time — does it count as time you spend with your child?
- Privacy in the home — does the child share a bedroom?
- Punctuality — are you on time for your visitation?
- Overnight visits — maybe limited for children age three or below
Trust Us With Your Child Custody Legal Issues
If you have child custody and visitation questions or child custody modification needs, please send us an e-mail, or call our lawyers at 812-952-9729. We look forward to assisting you with your legal concerns.
