Indiana Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in Indiana — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in Indiana
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
Indiana courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
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Divorce.ai helps you build a comprehensive parenting plan that meets Indiana court requirements.
Child Support in Indiana
Indiana uses the Income Shares Model under the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines. Both parents' adjusted gross weekly incomes are combined to determine the total child support obligation from a schedule. Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income. A parenting time credit applies when the non-custodial parent exercises 52 or more overnight stays per year. Support is capped at 50% of the combined weekly adjusted income. Guidelines were most recently updated effective January 1, 2024.
Official Indiana child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| Child Support Obligation Worksheet | Child Support Obligation Worksheet |
| Parenting Time Guidelines Acknowledgment | Parenting Time Guidelines Acknowledgment |
| Parenting Plan | Parenting Plan / Custody Agreement |
| Income Withholding Order (IWO) | Income Withholding Order |
Mandatory Parenting Course
Indiana requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
Most Indiana counties require both parents to complete a court-approved parenting education program within 30-60 days of filing a dissolution involving minor children. Specific requirements vary by county. Programs typically last 4 hours and cost $25-$75 per parent.
Typical cost: $60
Protect your children through the process
Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related Indiana forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.