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Parenting Coordinator: An alternative to running back to Court
Parenting Coordinator: An alternative to running
back to Court
By Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW
In high-conflict separations or divorces, parenting issues may arise with
greater frequencies that continue to bring parents back to Court for resolution.
This strategy is both untimely and expensive. An alternate strategy to manage
such disputes as they arise is through the use of a Parenting Coordinator.
A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral person to whom parents can turn when in
dispute on matters relating to the children. Parents may access the service of a
Parenting Coordinator in a more timely fashion and costs are almost always less
than going to Court.
The role of the Parenting Coordinator is to help parents come to a successful
resolution between themselves.
However, the Parenting Coordinator may also be empowered by the parents or by
Court Order, to make recommendations binding on the parents in the event they
are unable to agree on solutions. If either parent feels there is sufficient
reason to challenge the recommendations of the Parenting Coordinator, they still
have recourse to the Courts, but may be subject to costs if the Courts support
the recommendations of the Parenting Coordinator.
The Parenting Coordinator cannot change the Order of a Court, but may assist the
parents in implementing strategies, consistent with Court Orders.
With regard to costs associated with the Parenting Coordinator service, parents
typically divide these equally unless there is a prior agreement to do otherwise
or unless there is an Order of the Court specifying how costs are to be
distributed between the parties. The parents, lawyers or Courts should determine
the matter of distribution of costs, prior to referral. It is not appropriate
for the intended Parenting Coordinator to act as broker or negotiator with
respect to distribution of costs because as of yet, they have no knowledge of
the case and issues therein.
Typically to commence service, the Parenting Coordinator must become acquainted
with the parents, the children, the history of their conflict, and matters of
current concern. While the actual process is at the discretion of the Parenting
Coordinator or service agency, the process is likely to include a review of
prior reports and/or Court documents, individual meetings with parents, meetings
with the children and then joint meetings with the parents unless this is
contra-indicated as in cases of domestic violence.
Once the Parenting Coordinator is familiar with the parents, children and
issues, the Parenting Coordinator may then set out an agreement and any
stipulations for the provision of service. Assuming agreement between the
parents and the Parenting Coordinator to work together, then they may begin to
address actual issues at hand. In so doing, the Parenting Coordinator is usually
empowered to obtain any other information deemed necessary to help resolve
matters. Generally speaking, children are excused from further meetings, unless
at the discretion of the Parenting Coordinator their participation is required.
If you are running back to Court on issue after issue, consider the service of a
Parenting Coordinator. You will likely experience more timely service, lower
costs and generally greater control of the outcome as negotiated settlements are
encouraged first.
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