Parenting Coordinator
Who Needs a Parenting Coordinator?
You have finalized your custody arrangement, but you continue to fight over large and small issues. You have either had to hire attorneys to re-litigate custody issues or you are at high risk for continual litigation. You know from past experience that litigation is expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining. You also know that going to court only increases hostility and pain, making co-parenting even less possible.
What is a Parenting Coordinator?
A Parenting Coordinator works with you to implement the terms of your decree or paternity order and to close up any "loop holes" that have created continuous problems. Parenting Coordinators help you resolve conflict as it occurs and to prevent small issues from snowballing into disasters.
What Does’t a Parenting Coordinator do?
A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral "referee" who can help to minimize conflict and resolve issues as they arise. Parenting Coordinators cannot change custody or suspend visits. This can only be done through court action.
When does a Parenting Coordinator get involved?
A Parenting Coordinator gets involved after the court finalizes your custody decree.
How does the Parenting Coordinator Process Work?
A Parenting Coordinator will meet with you to learn more about your unique situation and family dynamic. This includes gaining an understanding of the history of parental conflict, matters of current concern, and each child’s unique needs and circumstances. We would decide together if it would make sense to meet with your children to understand who they are and what is important to them. In getting to know your family, we also may review reports, school records, and court documents or speak to teachers, coaches, therapists, doctors, grandparents, caregivers, and other important people in your lives.
When a specific dispute arises, the PC works with your family to resolve the problems. The process is two-fold:
- Mediation: It is always best if the parents can come to mutual agreement. The PC facilitates this process and encourages parents to not only compromise, but to remain focused on their children’s best interest.
- Decision Making: If parents are unable to come to agreement, the PC will make a decision about a specific dispute.
Why is a Parenting Coordinator Beneficial?
- Peace. In every case, our goal is child-centered conflict resolution.
It is undisputed that children benefit immensely when parents can cooperate and communicate effectively. - Child-centered. All PC’s are trained child advocates and focus solely on your children’s best interest.
- Cost-effective. Instead of you and your ex having to retain your own attorneys, a custody evaluator, expert witnesses, and/or a mediator, you and the other parent share in the cost of a PC.
- Fast. The courts are crowded. "Post Decree" litigation is extremely time and energy consuming. Court calendars are over-booked and it can take months to have a post decree issue heard by a Judge.
- Healthy. You learn to work through problems and get rid of relationship baggage. Your children learn through your actions how to overcome conflict and challenges.
- New beginnings. Once the break up is resolved, you will have fresh new energy and a sense of being complete with the past so you can focus on your career, education, relationships, hobbies, and a social life.