Parent coordination is a non-confidential, child centered process for conflicted divorce and divorcing parents. It is a form of dispute resolution for parents. Through education, putting systems in place, and discussion, the parent coordinator helps the parents co-parent. The parent coordinator’s sole purpose is for the child to have a healthy and quality relationship with both parents. The role of a parent coordinator is the following:

1. Provides ethical and professional services to families in transition.

2. Remains child focused and encourages both parties to do the same.

3. Aids parents in making decisions that will foster the child’s health and welfare.

4. Remains impartial and does not align with either parent or their attorney.

Parental coordination has become extremely important and is a service that is not utilized enough in custody, visitation, and co-parenting situations. The law is moving towards joint custody and for both parents to be involved in their child’s life, including making joint decisions. The law wants the child to have a relationship with both parents, and it is moving in a direction of equal shared time versus someone having physical custody, and the other party having visitation. Of course, this is not the case if one parent has mental health issues, an addiction that is unchecked or if there is a history of domestic violence.

Every custody case is unique, and there is a number of circumstances that must be considered and looked at when coming up with a custody agreement or in trying to live with an existing custody agreement. In a parent coordination session,, parties have the opportunity to speak freely and focus on what will work best for their family based on the children’s needs, the parents’ accessibility, the financial situation, and whether or not there are any special needs or unique problems facing a particular family.

Unfortunately, the courts and attorneys do not have the time or the energy to delve into the particular circumstances of a family. In a parental coordination situation, that can be done, and as a result, the agreement made or the agreement that needs to be followed will be given the attention and understanding that it needs. It is also cost effective and avoids parties relying on attorneys to communicate their concerns and ideas rather than speaking directly to the parties themselves.

 

I urge you to think about parental coordination rather than filing for a change in parental access, custody, or visitation, or to consider parental coordination if you are in the process of a divorce and are having difficulty coming up with a custodial agreement that will work for you and your children. Call the DePalo Law Firm for a consultation and to learn more about parental coordination.