Parenting Coordination

What is Parenting Coordination?

• A dispute resolution process that focuses on the children’s needs to minimize repeated returns to court and/or ongoing conflict. Parenting Coordination is a process that combines dispute assessment, case management, parent education, mediation, and if necessary arbitration either by court order or parent consent agreements.
• An alternative way to revise, strengthen and develop adherence to a parenting plan.
• A quicker analysis and resolution of child-related parental disputes.
• Education about developmental needs of the children.
• Ways to communicate and problem-solve in high conflict situations.
• An avenue to rebuilding relationships with estranged or alienated parents.
• A relief and stabilizing alternative to a volatile or adversarial history reducing risk factors for children and stemming the drain on family financial and emotional resources.

Parental Disputes Often Settled by a Parenting Coordinator:

• Parenting schedules, access to children, holidays, vacations, temporary variations, transitions.
• Children’s recreational and enrichment activities.
• Education or daycare issues.
• Health care.
• Religious observances.
• Parenting issues.
• Substance use.
• Role of a significant other.
• Children’s special needs.

Note that a parenting coordinator does not resolve the matter of custody, but may be used on an interim basis to address the implementation of a temporary parenting plan.