Indiana · Guide
Calls, texts and video with a child during the other parent's time
Last reviewed on October 1, 2026
The Guidelines give a parent and child reasonable, private contact at any time, and name what counts as interference, including recording calls.
Reasonable contact, both ways
Both parents shall have reasonable phone access to their child. Telephone communication with the child by either parent to the residence where the child is located shall be conducted at reasonable hours, shall be of reasonable duration, and at reasonable intervals, without interference from the other parent.
Messages are passed on: "Whether a parent uses an answering machine, voice mail, text, or email, messages left for a child shall be promptly communicated to the child and the call returned."
The same applies to other ways of keeping in touch: "The same provisions above apply to electronic communications of any kind."
Private
A child and a parent shall be entitled to private communications without interference from the other parent.
No person shall block reasonable phone or other communication access between a parent and child or monitor or record such communications.
What the Guidelines count as interference
The commentary gives examples: "a parent refusing to answer a phone or refusing to allow the child or others to answer; a parent recording phone conversations between the other parent and the child; turning off the phone or using a call blocking mechanism or otherwise denying the other parent telephone contact with the child."
A device can still be taken away as a punishment, within limits: "such punishment shall not prevent communications with the other parent."
A set time helps
Parents should agree on a specified time for telephone calls so that a child will be available to receive the call.