Understanding Parenting Time Credit in Indiana Child Support

The Parenting Time Credit (PTC) is one of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—factors affecting Indiana child support calculations. If you're the parent paying support and you spend significant time with your children, understanding how the PTC works could save you thousands of dollars annually.

What Is the Parenting Time Credit?

The Parenting Time Credit, established in Guideline 6 of the Indiana Child Support Guidelines, is a reduction in child support payments given to the paying parent when they have substantial parenting time with their children.

The credit recognizes a simple economic reality: when children stay overnight with the non-custodial parent, that parent incurs direct expenses for the children during that time—groceries, utilities, entertainment, transportation, and more. The PTC adjusts the support payment to account for these costs.

How the Parenting Time Credit Works

The Overnight Threshold

The PTC kicks in when the paying parent has at least 52 overnights per year (approximately one night per week or alternating weekends). Below 52 nights, there's little to no credit applied.

Credit ranges:

The PTC Formula

Without getting too technical, the PTC is calculated by:

1. Determining your percentage of annual overnights
2. Applying that percentage to a credit factor
3. Multiplying by the basic support obligation (not the total including expenses)
4. Capping the credit at your proportionate share to prevent negative support

Real-World PTC Examples

Example 1: Standard Every-Other-Weekend

Scenario:

• Parent 1 (paying): $850/week income, 52 overnights/year
• Parent 2: $550/week income
• 2 children
• Basic obligation (before PTC): $300/week

Without PTC: Parent 1's share = $300 × 61% = $183/week

With PTC (52 nights): ~$30 credit → Final payment = ~$153/week

Annual savings: $30/week × 52 weeks = $1,560/year

Example 2: Extended Parenting Time

Scenario:

• Parent 1: $1,000/week, 140 overnights/year (38%)
• Parent 2: $700/week
• 1 child
• Basic obligation: $247/week

Without PTC: $247 × 59% = $146/week

With PTC (140 nights): ~$88 credit → Final payment = ~$58/week

Annual savings: $88/week × 52 weeks = $4,576/year!

Maximizing Your Parenting Time Credit

1. Accurately Count Every Overnight

An overnight is counted when:

• The child sleeps at your home overnight
• You have primary responsibility for the child that night/morning
• The overnight is part of a regular or court-ordered schedule

Don't forget to count:

• Holiday overnights (Christmas Eve, New Year's, etc.)
• Extended summer vacation time
• School break periods (spring break, Thanksgiving week)
• Makeup time for missed visits

2. Structure Your Parenting Time Schedule Strategically

When negotiating or requesting parenting time, be aware of these threshold points:

3. Document Everything

If the other parent might dispute your overnight count:

• Keep a co-parenting calendar with all overnights marked
• Save text messages/emails confirming schedule
• Use a court-approved parenting time tracker app
• Get written acknowledgment of schedule changes

4. Consider Midweek Overnights

Adding just one midweek overnight to an every-other-weekend schedule increases annual nights from ~52 to ~78—a 50% increase that can boost your credit significantly.

Common PTC Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Counting Daytime Visits

Only overnights count for PTC. If you pick up your child Saturday morning and return them Saturday night (same day), that's zero overnights. The child must sleep at your home.

Mistake #2: Not Updating for Schedule Changes

If your parenting time increases after your support order, you should file for modification. The PTC doesn't automatically update—you must petition the court.

Mistake #3: Forgetting to Add Holiday/Vacation Time

Many parents forget to count Thanksgiving week (3-4 overnights), Christmas break (7-14 nights), spring break (7 nights), and summer vacation (14-42+ nights). These add up!

Mistake #4: Assuming 50/50 Means Zero Support

Even with exactly 50/50 parenting time (182.5 nights each), child support may still be owed if there's an income disparity. The higher earner typically still pays, but the amount is substantially reduced by the PTC.

PTC and Child Support Modifications

If your parenting time has increased since your support order was established, you may qualify for modification:

When to Modify

File if:

• Your overnights have increased by 20% or more (e.g., from 50 to 60+ nights)
• You've crossed a major threshold (e.g., from 45 to 65 nights)
• The schedule change is permanent and court-approved
• It's been at least 12 months since the last order

How to Prove Increased Parenting Time

1. Show court-approved modification to parenting time order
2. Provide calendar showing actual overnight history (past 6-12 months)
3. Submit any written agreements about schedule changes
4. Use our Indiana child support calculator to demonstrate the 20% change threshold

Special PTC Situations

Split Custody vs. Shared Custody

Shared custody: Same children split time between parents (what PTC addresses)

Split custody: Different children primarily with different parents (different calculation—each parent may owe support for different children)

183 Nights: The Custody Flip Point

At 183 overnights (50.1%), you may be considered the custodial parent, which can flip the support obligation entirely. The other parent may end up paying you support instead.

Variable Schedules

If your schedule varies (e.g., every other weekend plus rotating summer), calculate the total annual overnights:

• Regular schedule: 26 weekends × 2 nights = 52
• Summer weeks: 4 weeks × 7 nights = 28
• Holidays: ~5 nights
• Total: 85 nights = good PTC

PTC Calculator Tools

To accurately calculate your Parenting Time Credit:

Quick Estimates

Our Indiana child support calculator automatically applies the correct PTC based on your overnight count. Just enter your nights and see instant results.

Official Calculations

For court filings, use the Indiana Judicial Branch calculator, which includes the official PTC table.

What-If Scenarios

Test different overnight counts to see financial impact:

• Current schedule vs. proposed schedule
• Adding one midweek overnight
• Extended summer vacation scenarios
• Moving from every-other-weekend to 5-2-2-5

Frequently Asked Questions

Does parenting time during the day count?

No. Only overnights count for PTC. The child must sleep at your home.

What if we share overnights exactly 50/50?

With exactly 182.5 nights each, both parents would get maximum credit. Support typically still flows from higher earner to lower earner, but the amount is greatly reduced.

Can I get credit for overnights I "should" have but don't exercise?

No. PTC is based on actual overnight time, not court-ordered time you don't use. If you consistently miss your parenting time, the other parent can document this to prevent you from claiming the credit.

How often should I recalculate the PTC?

Recalculate whenever:

• Your parenting schedule officially changes
• It's been 12+ months since your last order
• You've been consistently exercising more time than court-ordered

Next Steps

1. Calculate Your Credit: Use our Indiana child support calculator to see your current PTC
2. Count Your Overnights: Review your schedule for the past 12 months
3. Document Everything: Start keeping detailed records now
4. Consider Modification: If your credit should be higher, file to modify
5. Consult if Needed: Complex PTC disputes benefit from attorney review