Indiana Child Custody and Parenting Time Resources

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Custody in Indiana is decided in the Circuit or Superior Court. Most states split the question in two: who makes the big decisions for the child, and what the day to day schedule looks like. Both usually end up written into one order or parenting plan the judge approves.

The wording differs from state to state, so read the official Indiana documents below rather than assuming a term you heard elsewhere means the same thing here. Courts decide these cases on the best interests of the child, and the official forms are written to collect the facts a judge needs.

Official Indiana custody resources

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Indiana family law forms (official index) (Indiana judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Indiana family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.in.gov/courts/selfservice/forms

Indiana court self-help resources (Indiana courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Indiana family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.indianalegalhelp.org

Indiana mediation and dispute resolution (Indiana judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Indiana family case without a trial. https://www.in.gov/courts/idr

Indiana E-Filing System (IEFS) (Multiple approved EFSPs): Indiana's statewide e-filing system covers all 92 counties. Lawyers must e-file, while people representing themselves may e-file through an approved provider such as Odyssey File & Serve or still file on paper. https://www.in.gov/courts/efiling/

Indiana rules of procedure (Indiana judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Indiana. https://www.in.gov/courts/rules

Verified official Indiana custody documents

These official documents cover asking for custody, setting a schedule, and putting a parenting plan in front of the judge.

Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://rules.incourts.gov/pdf/PDF%20-%20Parenting/parenting.pdf

Parenting Time Credit Worksheet, form PTCW (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.in.gov/dA/d587ac5f92/ptcw.pdf?language_id=1

Official link data for Indiana was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Which court hears family cases in Indiana?

Family cases in Indiana are heard in the Circuit or Superior Court. Indiana counties use Circuit Courts, Superior Courts, or both - all can hear family cases. Each county has a Circuit Court and often one or more Superior Courts.

Does Indiana favor one parent over the other?

Custody decisions are made on the best interests of the child, not on which parent asks first. Judges look at things like stability, each parent's involvement, the child's needs, and whether a parent supports the child's relationship with the other parent. Read the official Indiana forms and self-help material for the factors this state asks about.

Do we have to go to mediation first?

Many courts send custody disputes to mediation before a hearing, and some require it. The official Indiana mediation page linked above explains what this state offers and when it applies.