Sharing Information Between Parents: Understanding Indiana Parenting Guidelines
Effective co-parenting requires open communication and information sharing. The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines emphasize that both parents have a right to access and share important details about their child’s education, health, and activities. When parents fail to obtain and exchange information, it can cause confusion, inconvenience, or even cause issues for the child.
This guide explains Indiana’s legal requirements and best practices for:
✅ Accessing school records and activities
✅ Coordinating extracurricular and church activities
✅ Sharing medical and health-related information
✅ Providing insurance details
📞 Need help enforcing your parental rights? Contact Vining Legal at (317) 759-3225.
1. School Records: Parents Have Equal Access
📌 Guideline Reference: Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, Section D(1)
📜 Legal Authority: Indiana Code § 20-33-7-2
Both parents have the legal right to access their child's school records. Parents should independently obtain information from the school, rather than relying on the other parent.
Key Rules for School Records
✔ Each parent should maintain direct communication with the child’s school.
✔ Neither parent may interfere with the other’s ability to communicate with school staff.
✔The noncustodial parent must be listed as an emergency contact, unless there are safety concerns.
Best Practices for Parents
📌 Sign up for school email lists and online portals.
📌 Attend parent-teacher conferences and school meetings independently.
📌 Notify the other parent about important school updates if they are not readily available.
👉 Bottom Line: Both parents have an equal right to school records—but each parent is responsible for obtaining the information on their own.
2. School & Extracurricular Activities: Supporting Your Child Together
📌 Guideline Reference: Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, Section D(2) & (3)
Both parents should encourage their child’s involvement in school activities, sports, church, and other extracurricular events. Parents must not interfere with each other’s right to participate or volunteer.
Key Rules for Activities
✔ Each parent must promptly inform the other of any activities not readily available to both parents.
✔ The parent with parenting time is responsible for transportation to events.
✔ The child should not miss activities solely because one parent is unavailable.
Best Practices for Parents
📌 Share team schedules, concert dates, and church event information.
📌 Support your child’s hobbies and passions together.
📌 Balance extracurricular activities to avoid disrupting parenting time.
👉 Bottom Line: Both parents have the right to attend and support their child’s activities, even if it is not their parenting time.
3. Health Information & Medical Decisions
📌 Guideline Reference: Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, Section D(4)
📜 Legal Authority:
Medical Records: Indiana Code § 16-39-1-7
Mental Health Records: Indiana Code § 16-39-2-9
Both parents have the legal right to access their child’s medical and mental health records. The custodial parent must inform the noncustodial parent of any medical treatments, emergencies, or ongoing health issues.
Key Rules for Medical Information
✔ Parents must immediately notify each other of medical emergencies.
✔ The custodial parent must provide medications and instructions during parenting time.
✔ If the healthcare provider requires consent, the custodial parent must authorize the release of medical records to the noncustodial parent.
Best Practices for Parents
📌 Share doctor contact details and health updates.
📌 Discuss major medical decisions together when possible.
📌 Keep a record of medications, allergies, and ongoing treatments.
👉 Bottom Line: Both parents have equal rights to medical records, and health-related updates must be shared.
4. Health Insurance Information Must Be Shared
📌 Guideline Reference: Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, Section D(5)
If a parent provides health insurance for the child, they must share insurance details with the other parent.
Key Rules for Health Insurance
✔ The insured parent must provide:
Insurance cards 📇
Explanation of benefits 📝
A list of approved healthcare providers 📋
✔ If the insurance provider requires specific forms, the insured parent must supply them.
Best Practices for Parents
📌 Keep a copy of insurance details in an easily accessible location.
📌 Confirm which doctors and specialists are covered under the plan.
📌 Discuss how medical expenses are handled to prevent conflicts.
👉 Bottom Line: Health insurance details must be shared so both parents can make informed medical decisions for their child.
Conclusion: Sharing Information is Key to Effective Co-Parenting
The Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines make it clear: Parents must actively obtain and share school, medical, and activity-related information. Failing to do so can negatively impact the child and create co-parenting conflicts.
✅ Key Takeaways:
School & medical records must be available to both parents.
Both parents have the right to attend school and extracurricular activities.
Medical updates, prescriptions, and insurance information must be shared.
A child should not miss events just because one parent is unavailable.
📞 Need Legal Help?
If you're facing challenges accessing your child's records or dealing with co-parenting conflicts, Vining Legal can help. Call (317) 759-3225 or schedule a consultation today.
