Commencement of proceeding

Sec. 3. (a) A child custody proceeding is commenced in the court by: (1) a parent by filing a petition under IC 31-15-2-4, IC 31-15-3-4, or IC 31-16-2-3; (2) a person other than a parent by filing a petition seeking a determination of custody of the child; or (3) a child, by the child's next friend, if the child is the subject of a: (A) child in need of services petition under IC 31-34; or (B) termination petition under IC 31-35. (b) As used in this section, "child's next friend" means: (1) the department; (2) the child's court appointed special advocate; or (3) the child's guardian ad litem. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-11.5-20(a) part.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.66-2023, SEC.1; P.L.9-2024, SEC.495.