What is Parenting Coordination?
It is a new alternative dispute resolution process in which a qualified impartial professional assists separated or divorced parents to resolve issues pertaining to their parenting plan and to help them implement their parenting plan. This can include: identifying disputed issues; reducing misunderstandings; clarifying priorities; exploring possibilities for problem solving; developing methods of collaboration in parenting; developing a parenting plan; and aiding parties in complying with the court’s order regarding parenting issues. Parenting Coordination helps the parents avoid repeated trips to court over parenting issues.
What is a Parenting Coordinator?
A professional trained in parenting coordination who performs three functions:
a. Education about communication and co-parenting
b. Mediation of post-divorce (post decree) parenting issues
c. Arbitration of minor parenting issues
What are the benefits of Parenting Coordination?
Parenting Coordination offers a much better way of resolving parenting plan issues than returning to court. And the resolution comes much faster than waiting for a court date and then the court decision. The Parenting Coordinator educates the parents about the harm to the children of hostility between parents, mediates issues as they arise, and if the parents are unable to resolve minor issues, is empowered to make the decision in the best interest of the child.