Spring break is a highly anticipated time for children—but for divorced or separated parents, it often raises important legal questions. One of the most common questions Indiana family law attorneys hear is: Who gets parenting time during spring break in Indiana?
Ultimately, the answer to this question is fact specific. However, generally speaking, the answer can be found in your court order, parenting plan, or, when those documents are silent, the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. Understanding how Indiana law treats spring break parenting time can help parents avoid unnecessary conflict and protect their relationship with their child.
Start With Your Indiana Parenting Plan or Court Order
The first place to look is your custody order or parenting plan. If your order specifically addresses spring break parenting time, that provision controls—even if it differs from the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines.
Indiana courts treat parenting plans as enforceable court orders. If spring break is clearly assigned to one parent or divided in a particular way, both parents are legally required to follow that schedule.
Key takeaway:
If your court order mentions spring break, follow it exactly.
What If Spring Break Is Not Addressed in the Order?
If your parenting plan or custody order does not mention spring break, Indiana courts generally rely on the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines to resolve disputes.
The Guidelines are adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court and serve as the default framework when parents cannot agree. They are designed to promote consistency, fairness, and the child’s best interests while ensuring both parents have meaningful parenting time.
How Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines Handle Spring Break
Under the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, spring break is treated as a school break—not a traditional holiday. As a result, spring break parenting time is usually handled differently than holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Typical Spring Break Parenting Time Rules in Indiana:
- Spring break parenting time is often alternated between parents
- One parent may have spring break in even‑numbered years, while the other has it in odd‑numbered years
- The spring break schedule takes priority over the regular weekly or weekend parenting time schedule
This means that if spring break overlaps with a parent’s regular weekend, the spring break allocation controls—not the usual rotation.
When Does Spring Break Parenting Time Begin and End?
Disputes often arise over when spring break parenting time starts and ends. Unless otherwise specified in your court order:
- Spring break typically begins when the child is released from school
- Parenting time ends when the child returns to school
Parents should always verify the school calendar and communicate clearly in advance. Indiana courts expect parents to cooperate reasonably when implementing parenting time schedules.
Can Parents Agree to a Different Spring Break Schedule?
Yes. Indiana courts strongly encourage parents to create parenting schedules that work best for their child, even if those schedules deviate from the Parenting Time Guidelines.
Parents may agree to:
- Split spring break into two equal halves
- Rotate spring break differently than the Guidelines suggest
- Coordinate parenting time around travel or family plans
If parents reach an agreement, it should be put in writing. For long‑term or permanent changes, court approval is recommended to prevent future disputes.
What Happens If Parents Cannot Agree?
When parents cannot agree on spring break parenting time and the order is silent, a court will typically:
- Apply the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, and
- Consider the best interests of the child if further clarification is needed
Courts may also look at past practices, parental cooperation, and whether either parent is interfering with the other’s parenting time. Repeated violations can lead to enforcement actions or modification of custody orders.
Need Help With Spring Break Parenting Time in Indiana?
Spring break should be a time for children to relax—not a source of parental conflict. If you are dealing with a dispute over spring break parenting time, enforcement issues, or need to modify a parenting plan, an experienced Indiana family law attorney can help protect your rights and your child’s well‑being. Dixon & Moseley, P.C. attorneys practice throughout the State of Indiana and understand the significance of child custody cases and planning for the same. This blog post is written by Dixon & Moseley, P.C. advocates and is not intended as specific legal advice or a solicitation for services. It is an advertisement.
