Parenting Coordination Services

Parenting Coordination Services

Parenting Coordination is a form of dispute resolution for parents experiencing high levels of conflict during or after a divorce. The overall emphasis of parenting coordination is to provide children with an opportunity for an environment free from the devastating impact of being caught in the middle of parental conflict.

The parenting coordinator may be appointed pre or post-divorce. Parents may also opt to engage in the service voluntarily for their child/ren’s benefit. With prior approval of the parties and/or the court, the parenting coordinator may make temporary decisions, within the scope of the court order or appointment contract, to help parents who have demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to make parenting decisions on their own. The role of the parenting coordinator is outlined by the authority granted in a consent order or the stipulation agreement of the parties.

Benefits: Parenting Coordination assists other professionals (judges, attorneys, mediators, guardian ad litem and those involved in the divorce and/or custody process) to increase the likelihood of a more successful outcome in these especially difficult cases. Through education, collaboration, and case management, the family’s progress is monitored to ensure that parents are fulfilling their obligations to their child while complying with the court’s recommendation.

Unlike Co-parenting counseling, Parenting Coordination is a non-confidential process. As a result, parenting coordinators may provide documentation related to parental behaviors and any issues of compliance with court orders that either party may violate. Parenting coordinators maintain more frequent contact with both parents to provide a better overall picture of the situation at hand.

The parenting coordinator may share their concerns regarding each parent and make recommendations that will benefit a child. A parenting coordinator will address any unresolved issues directly related to the children.