The Role of Parenting Coordinators in Family Law Cases

Parenting Coordinators in Divorce and Custody Cases

A parenting coordinator is a professional who is appointed by a court to assist divorcing parents or parents involved in a custody dispute. The parenting coordinator's role is to help the parents resolve disagreements related to their children. Parenting coordinators are usually attorneys or mental health professionals with training in mediation, conflict resolution, and child development.

A parenting coordinator can be beneficial if you are having difficulty communicating with your ex-spouse or if you cannot come to agreement on important decisions about your children. A parenting coordinator can also be helpful if you have a high-conflict relationship with your ex-spouse. If you think a parenting coordinator might be right for you, talk to your attorney or mental health professional about whether this would be a good option for your family.

How Does a Parenting Coordinator Help?

According to PA Rule 1915.11-1, a parenting coordinator can be appointed after the court or either party involved in the case files a motion. Parenting coordinators can be appointed after a final custody order is granted and can work with both parties to address repeated conflict that may affect the final order.

A parenting coordinator can help parents resolve disagreements in a number of ways, including with:

• Communication. The parenting coordinator can act as a mediator between the parents, helping them to communicate more effectively with one another. The parenting coordinator can also provide the parents with guidance on how to have difficult conversations with one another.
• Problem-solving. The parenting coordinator can assist the parents in brainstorming solutions to problems they are having, and in some cases, they can also help the parents develop a co-parenting plan that outlines how the parents will handle various situations that may arise.
• Information and resources. The parenting coordinator can provide the parents with information about resources that are available to them, such as counseling services, support groups, and educational materials; additionally, they can help the parents understand how their children may be feeling and what their needs may be during this time.
• Decision-making. In some cases, the parenting coordinator may be empowered by the court to make certain decisions on behalf of the parents. For example, if the parents cannot agree on which school their child should attend, the parenting coordinator may be able to make that decision. However, it is important to note that not all parenting coordinators have this authority; some are only able to provide recommendations to the court.

Do You Need a Parenting Coordinator?

If you are going through a divorce or custody dispute, you may be wondering whether or not you need a parenting coordinator. A parenting coordinator can be a helpful resource for couples who are having difficulty communicating or resolving disagreements.

Parenting coordinators typically have training in mediation and conflict resolution, and they can provide couples with information and resources that they may not be aware of. In some cases, a parenting coordinator may even have the authority to make certain decisions on behalf of the couple. If you think you might benefit from working with a parenting coordinator, talk to your attorney or contact your local court system for more information.

Trusted Divorce & Child Custody Attorney

At William Kirby Law, Family Law Attorneys, our attorney has over two decades of experience, and our firm is known for providing honest and reliable legal counsel. If you are involved in a high-conflict divorce or child custody case, you can trust our team to help you develop a personalized case strategy, protect your rights and interests, and connect you with other experts, including parenting coordinators, who can help with your case.