In a divorce with no children involved, the parties can come to an agreement on a settlement and then go their separate ways, never to meet again if they so choose. This is not the case when there are children involved. The presence of shared children can bring about many challenges to divorce proceedings. One of the things that will be discussed in a divorce involving children is child custody and parenting time.
It may not be as challenging to figure out how to manage regular weekly schedules, but when it comes to holidays and birthdays, or other special occasions, determining who gets to have the children and for how long can be more difficult. Indiana, like all other states in the nation, has guidelines for parenting time. Birthdays are exciting times for children and also special occasions for parents as they watch their progeny grow. Being there on the actual day itself is significant and often means something sentimental to most parents.
When are You Allowed to Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday?
When a couple divorces and they have children part of what they will have to come to terms with in their divorce is a co-parenting agreement and visitation provisions. When divorcing parties can agree to a plan, each should follow these terms that they have established with respect to spending time with their children on important dates like a child’s birthday.
However, if it is too difficult to be agreeable regarding a co-parenting arrangement, then the Indiana Parenting Guidelines can be used. If you have any questions or need assistance developing a mutually beneficial co-parenting strategy that is amenable to you and your ex, Christopher L. Arrington is a Danville child custody attorney who can help.
If you are following the rules in Indiana’s Parenting Guidelines, the non-custodial and custodial parents would alternate years that they can have their child on the child’s birthday. According to the guidelines, in even years, the noncustodial parent will be given the right to the child on their birthday from 9:00 am to 9:00 p.m., with exceptions. If the child’s birthday is a school day, the time that the non-custodial parent gets is reduced to three hours from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In these even years, the custodial parent can plan their own celebrations for the child at another time of their choosing.
When the years are odd-numbered, then the custodial parent gets the child on the child’s birthday. The noncustodial parent is then given the right to the child on the day before their actual birthday. The same rules apply with reference to time. As long as the day before the child’s birthday is not a school day, then the non-custodial parent can have their time with their child from 9:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. But if it is a school day, then the 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. time-frame would be implemented.
Speak to a Danville Child Custody Attorney Today
The Indiana Parenting Guidelines aim to assist negotiations related to child custody and visitation. Even so, these debates can be complex and emotionally charged, which is why having an Indiana child custody lawyer helping you with these critical back-and-forth discussions is advantageous. Call Christopher L. Arrington today to schedule a free, initial consultation at (317) 745-4494.