How to Increase Your Parenting Time in Indiana

If you are a non-custodial parent following the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, you may be wondering:

✅ How do I get more parenting time?
✅ When is the right time to modify parenting time?
✅ What does the court require to grant more time with my child?

The legal standard for modifying parenting time in Indiana is outlined in IC § 31-17-4-2, which states that a court may modify parenting time if the change serves the best interests of the child.

When Can You Modify Parenting Time?

If you've already been to court once, how do you prove that more time is in your child’s best interests?

📌 The key is showing what has changed since the last custody or parenting time order. You must provide specific reasons and evidence that increasing your time benefits your child.

Proactive Steps to Increase Your Parenting Time

Courts consider parental involvement a major factor in parenting time modifications. Here’s how you can build a strong case for more time with your child.

1. Be Actively Involved in Your Child’s Education

✔ Know your child’s teachers and school administrators.
✔ Attend school events, parent-teacher conferences, and extracurricular activities.
✔ Download school apps to stay updated on assignments and progress.
✔ Request access to school records (Indiana Code § 20-33-7-2 gives both parents equal access).

📌 Tip: Establishing yourself as an engaged parent shows the court that you play a crucial role in your child’s academic success.

2. Participate in Your Child’s Activities

✔ Coach their sports team, volunteer at school events, or lead a youth group.
✔ Help with transportation to and from extracurricular activities.
✔ Support hobbies and social interactions to strengthen community ties.

📌 Tip: Courts view active participation as evidence of a strong parent-child bond, which can justify increased parenting time.

3. Take an Active Role in Medical Care

✔ Attend doctor’s appointments and be informed about your child’s health.
✔ Keep track of medications, treatments, and check-ups.
✔ Communicate with healthcare providers and keep detailed records.

📌 Tip: Courts want to see that both parents are responsible for the child's well-being. Involvement in medical decisions is a strong indicator of parental commitment.

4. Live Close to Your Child

📍 Proximity plays a significant role in parenting time decisions. Courts consider:

✔ How far you live from your child’s school and activities.
✔ Whether frequent exchanges are possible.
✔ If living closer would reduce stress and increase consistency.

📌 Tip: If possible, relocate closer to your child’s school to improve your chances of obtaining more parenting time.

5. Ensure Your Child Attends School on Time

⏰ If you already have weekday overnights, make sure your child arrives at school on time. Judges may hesitate to increase parenting time if:

❌ Your child has excessive tardies or absences.
❌ You struggle with morning routines or transportation.

📌 Tip: Demonstrating responsibility with school schedules proves you can handle additional parenting time.

6. Use Your Opportunity for Additional Parenting Time

The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines allow for extra parenting time in certain situations:

✔ If your child would otherwise be in daycare or with a third party, request to keep them instead.
✔ Take advantage of holiday and vacation schedules to maximize time with your child.

📌 Tip: Regularly utilizing opportunities for extra time builds a case for permanent parenting time increases.

📌 Learn more about Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines:
Understanding Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines

7. Maintain Respectful Co-Parenting Communication

✔ Keep texts and emails civil—hostile messages can be used against you in court.
✔ Communicate only about the child, avoiding personal arguments.
✔ Be cooperative and avoid unnecessary disputes.

📌 Tip: Judges favor parents who demonstrate cooperation and respect. Being difficult or confrontational can hurt your case.

📌 Learn more about co-parenting strategies:
Winning Custody: Co-Parenting Strategies

8. Keep Detailed Records of Parenting Time

📖 Document your involvement with:

✔ A parenting time journal that tracks time spent with your child.
✔ A calendar of school events, medical appointments, and extracurriculars.
✔ Screenshots of text messages or emails that demonstrate cooperation.

📌 Tip: Courts prefer hard evidence over verbal claims. A well-documented record strengthens your case for increased parenting time.

📌 Learn how to keep a parenting time journal:
Winning Custody: The Power of a Parenting Time Journal

What to Do Next: Seeking Legal Guidance

📞 If you're considering modifying parenting time, it's crucial to seek legal advice. An experienced Indiana family law attorney can:

✔ Help you gather evidence and file a modification request.
✔ Advocate for you in court and present your case effectively.
✔ Ensure that the modification aligns with your child’s best interests.

📞 Call or text Vining Legal at (317) 759-3225 or Schedule a Consultation today.