What is a Parent Coordinator

A Parent Coordinator is a neutral third party who has received special training to focus on helping divorces parents (co-parents) resolve high conflict child related conflicts. Based upon their needs, the Coordinator can help them in areas such as a parenting plan, communication, and resolving conflicts. Their services can be voluntary or court ordered. One intent is to reduce or eliminate multiple court appearances.

Why is a Parent Coordinator Important

A Parent Coordinator is very helpful in highly contentious co-parent conflict situations. The Coordinator work with the co-parents by teaching them skills to communicate and resolve conflicts. All of the efforts of the Parenting Coordinator are done for the benefit of the children, as they are the primary concern. They help the co-parents deal with a wide range of issues regarding the children. A Parenting Coordinator helps both parents do what is best for their children.

What a Parent Coordinator Does

The Coordinator can help co-parents stay out of the courtroom by working to help them move forward. They can:

• Help you stay out of the courtroom.
• They will help you learn to deal with and resolve conflict and not have to spend more time in court.
• Help you save money by not spending it on legal fees.
• They can help you relieve stress on yourself and your children that constant arguing and fighting brings about.
• Can help you stop fighting by educating you on ways to resolve conflict.
• Lessen the negative impact that the arguments have on children.
• Help co-parents demonstrate good communication and problem solving skills and become a positive example to their children.
• Focus on the children and their best interest.
• Develop and implement a parenting plan.

How the Parenting Coordinator Process Works:

They will:

• A Parenting Coordinator will assist the parents in making decisions and resolving conflict about their children.
• Meet with the co-parents individually and/or together over a period of time.
• They may also communicate by telephone, email, or electronic video conference like Skype or GoToMeeting™.
• Talk to the children or other parties to gather information to understand the family and the issues involved.
• The process is confidential and any minutes of documents from the meeting are sent to the co-parents.
• The decisions made in this process are legally binding unless a court order dictates otherwise.