Dispositional decree; considerations; formal order
Ind. Code § 31-34-19-6
in effectSec. 6. (a) If consistent with the safety of the community and the best interest of the child, the juvenile court shall enter a dispositional decree that:
(1) is:
(A) in the least restrictive (most family like) and most appropriate setting available; and
(B) close to the parents' home, consistent with the best interest and special needs of the child;
(2) least interferes with family autonomy;
(3) is least disruptive of family life;
(4) imposes the least restraint on the freedom of the child and the child's parent, guardian, or custodian;
(5) provides a reasonable opportunity for participation by the child's parent, guardian, or custodian; and
(6) provides a reasonable opportunity for the child's parent who:
(A) is incarcerated; and
(B) has maintained a meaningful role in the child's life;
to maintain a relationship with the child.
(b) In determining whether reunification of a child with a parent, guardian, or custodian from whom the child has been removed is in the child's best interest, a court shall do the following:
(1) The court shall determine whether reunifying the child with the parent, guardian, or custodian will result in separation of the child from a sibling of the child.
(2) If the court determines under subdivision (1) that reunifying the child with the parent, guardian, or custodian will result in separation of the child from a sibling of the child, the court shall consider whether separating the child from the child's sibling is in the child's best interest.
(c) If a dispositional decree is entered under this section, the court shall write a formal order with the court's findings and conclusions, including any specific factors used to determine the child's best interest.
[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-15.3(e) part.]
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.55-1997, SEC.22; P.L.258-2019, SEC.2; P.L.65-2023, SEC.2; P.L.116-2026, SEC.9.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026