What is a Parent Coordinator?
The purpose of parenting coordination is to provide a child-focused alternative dispute resolution. A parenting coordinator assists parents in creating or implementing a parenting plan by facilitating the resolution of disputes between the parents by providing education and/or making recommendations. With the prior approval of the parents and the court, a parent coordinator may be involved in making limited decisions within the scope court orders.
The court may appoint a parenting coordinator in any action where a judgment is sought or entered establishing or modifying a parenting plan. Upon agreement of the parties, the court’s own motion, or the motion of a party, the court may also appoint a parenting coordinator and refer the parties to parent coordination. Often, this strategy is employed in high-conflict matters, and can assist in the resolution of disputes concerning the parties’ parenting plan.