Parenting plans—also known as custody agreements or custody and visitation agreements—are proposals submitted by parents for how issues involving children should be handled following a divorce or other proceeding in family court. The court will usually request the parents submit such a document proposing how conservatorship (decision-making), custody or possession, support, and other issues will be handled. The court may adopt some or all of these proposals and include them in the court’s order (divorce decree, child support and custody order), at which point the become legally enforceable.

In many states there is a standard possession order (SPO) that serves as the default terms for such matters, and as a useful starting point for parents who wish to modify it by agreement.

In Indiana, parenting plans are required in cases involving child custody, which may arise during divorce proceedings or other family court matters. These plans outline how parents will share decision-making responsibilities (legal custody), parenting time (physical custody), child support, and other relevant issues concerning the welfare of the child. Indiana law encourages parents to work together to create a parenting plan that serves the best interests of the child. If the parents cannot agree on a plan, the court may order mediation or decide the terms of custody itself. The court will consider factors such as the age and preference of the child, the mental and physical health of all parties, and the ability of each parent to care for the child. Once approved by the court, the parenting plan becomes part of the legally binding custody order. Indiana does not have a standard possession order (SPO) like some other states, but the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines provide a framework for determining reasonable parenting time schedules, which parents can use as a reference point or modify by agreement.