May, J.
Ginger Moell (“Mother”) appeals the trial court’s order regarding custody of N.M. and W.M. (collectively, “Children”). She presents several arguments for our review, which we restate as:
1. Whether the trial court had authority to modify the parties’ settlement agreements;
2. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it modified the parties’ mediated custody agreement regarding W.M.; and
3. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it sua sponte granted N.M. authority over decisions regarding his exercise of parenting time; health care; and participation in school, extracurricular, and religious activities.
We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
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The trial court ordered, “[N.M.] shall exercise parenting time, participation in school, extracurricular and religious activities as he shall determine is in his own best interests. [N.M.] shall also make all final decisions pertaining to his health care.” (App. Vol. II at 14.) Regarding N.M., the trial court observed,
[Father’s] and [Mother’s] custodial arrangement is particularly outdated when it comes to [N.M.], who, by all accounts is a mature, level-headed young man: he will be an adult in six months’ time. How much time he spends with each parent, in which religious or educational activities he should participate and what is in his best interest as far as health care should be decisions that [N.M.], and not his parents, should make.
(Id. at 13.)
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Here, the trial court has essentially removed N.M. from the care and control of his parents. Pursuant to the court’s order, he is not required to comply with parenting time requirements, can make his own healthcare decisions, and can make decisions about his education, extracurricular activities, and religious training. His parents, however, are still required to support him financially, as the trial court did not modify the child support agreement. There is also no evidence to suggest N.M. lives outside of Mother or Father’s house or has employment. While the trial court’s order did not amount to emancipation as contemplated in Indiana Code section 31-16-6-6, we are still troubled by the implications of allowing a minor, regardless of age and maturity, carte blanche in making decisions regarding his life while his parents are still legally bound to support him financially.
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Based on the level of turmoil between the parties, it is understandable the trial court would want to attempt something novel to resolve an issue that may well be moot in a short amount of time based on N.M.’s age. However, it is not in the record how N.M. would qualify for emancipation at eighteen years old, which is the age at which the court claims he “will be an adult in six months’ time.” (App. Vol. II at 13.) Further, the trial court’s order regarding N.M. contradicts the provisions and commentary provided by the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. Based thereon, we reverse the trial court’s decision regarding the modification of parenting time of N.M. and remand for further proceedings. [Footnote omitted.]
Conclusion
We conclude the trial court did not err as a matter of law when it vacated the parties’ original settlement agreements regarding Children’s care. Nor did the court abuse its discretion when it modified Father’s parenting time with W.M. However, the trial court did not have authority to allow N.M. to make his own decisions regarding parenting time and related issues. Therefore, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, remanded.
Barnes, J., and Bradford, J., concur.