What a Parenting Coordinator Generally Does
A parenting coordinator is generally a neutral professional — often with training in both family law and mental health — who helps separated parents work through the day-to-day disagreements that come up in implementing a parenting plan, such as scheduling conflicts, minor decision-making disputes, or communication breakdowns. The role is generally ongoing, rather than a one-time consultation, and is generally focused on practical problem-solving rather than deciding bigger legal issues.
How It's Different From Mediation or Court
Unlike a single mediation session, a parenting coordinator generally stays involved over time, which can make the role useful for higher-conflict families who need ongoing help implementing an existing plan rather than renegotiating it from scratch. Unlike going to court, which can take considerable time, a parenting coordinator can often help resolve smaller disputes more quickly, informally, and with less expense — though their authority is generally more limited than a judge's, and depends on what the parents (or a court order) have authorized them to do.
When Families Generally Use One
Families sometimes turn to a parenting coordinator after a parenting plan is already in place but proving difficult to implement smoothly — frequent small disputes, difficulty communicating directly, or disagreements about how a particular term should apply in practice. It's generally a tool for ongoing implementation support, distinct from parallel parenting itself, though the two can sometimes work together in higher-conflict situations.
How the Role Is Generally Set Up
A parenting coordinator relationship generally begins with an agreement between the parents (sometimes included in a separation agreement or parenting plan) or a court order, which generally sets out the coordinator's scope of authority — what kinds of decisions they can help resolve, and whether their decisions on smaller matters are binding. Because the specifics can vary, it's worth understanding exactly what authority is being granted before beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a parenting coordinator the same as a mediator?
Not quite. A mediator generally helps negotiate a specific agreement, often in a limited number of sessions. A parenting coordinator generally provides ongoing support implementing an existing plan over time.
Can a parenting coordinator make binding decisions?
It depends on what authority the parents or a court order have given them — some parenting coordination arrangements include limited binding decision-making authority on specified issues, while others are advisory only.
Do I need a court order to use a parenting coordinator?
Not necessarily — parents can generally agree to use one directly, though a court can also order parenting coordination as part of resolving a dispute.
Is parenting coordination only for high-conflict families?
It's most commonly used where ongoing disputes are making it hard to implement an existing plan smoothly, which is common in higher-conflict situations, though it isn't exclusively limited to those cases.
How is parenting coordination different from going back to court?
It's generally faster and less formal for smaller, recurring disputes, though a parenting coordinator's authority is generally more limited than a judge's and depends on what's been authorized.