What is a parenting Coordinator

A parenting coordinator (PC) (also known as a co-parenting facilitator) is a neutral third-party professional, often a lawyer or mental health expert, who helps parents resolve disputes related to their children outside of court. A parenting coordinator’s role is to facilitate communication, manage conflicts, and assist parents in implementing and adhering to a parenting plan.

Here’s why engaging a parenting coordinator can be beneficial:

1. Reduces Conflict: The parenting coordinator helps parents resolve disagreements quickly without the need for court intervention. This can reduce tension between parents, which is crucial for the emotional well-being of the children.
2. Faster Resolution: Instead of waiting for a court date, issues can be resolved promptly, which is especially helpful in urgent situations or when ongoing conflicts arise.
3. Minimizes Legal Costs: By reducing the need for court hearings, a parenting coordinator can save both time and money on legal fees. This can be a cost-effective way to manage parenting disputes.
4. Child-Centered Decisions: PCs focus on the best interests of the children, ensuring that decisions are made with their needs in mind rather than parental disagreements.
5. Improves Co-Parenting Communication: PCs can help improve communication between parents, teaching them strategies to work together more effectively. This can lead to healthier, more collaborative co-parenting relationships.
6. Enforcement of Parenting Plans: If you have a court-ordered parenting plan, the PC can help ensure both parties comply with the agreement, making adjustments if necessary to better meet the needs of the children and parents.

Engaging a parenting coordinator or coparenting facilitator can lead to smoother co-parenting, reduced stress, and a more stable environment for your children. It’s an investment in a healthier family dynamic post-separation or divorce. Most engagements with a parenting coordinator or coparenting facilitator tend to be via phone or video in order to deal with disputes on an urgent basis.

We are available to assist as parenting coordinators or coparenting facilitators for any cases where we have not acted as the legal representative for either parent. If you would like to know more, please contact us on 07 5409 8000 or book online for a free initial consultation to discuss.