Parenting coordination is a child-focused process used in Florida to help high-conflict parents resolve disputes and improve communication regarding their children’s care and well-being. It is designed to assist parents who struggle to cooperate and make joint decisions about their children. A professional who is qualified by the courts, known as a parenting coordinator, works with parents to reduce conflict and implement any court-ordered parenting plans at issue more effectively.
A parenting coordinator is a neutral third party who aims to help parents navigate their parenting arrangements and resolve disagreements related to the care and upbringing of their children. A parenting coordinator may be a psychologist, social worker, attorney or other trained individual with experience in family dynamics and conflict resolution.
Parenting coordinators do not have the authority to change court orders but can make minor adjustments to a parenting plan as needed to address day-to-day issues. For example, they might help parents agree on extracurricular activities, vacation schedules or changes in pick-up and drop-off times. If the parents cannot agree, the parenting coordinator may make recommendations to the court.
When is parenting coordination used?
Parenting coordination is typically used in high-conflict cases where parents have ongoing disputes that negatively impact their children. It is often ordered by the court when traditional co-parenting or mediation has failed; however, this process may also be voluntarily requested by parents. The goal is to reduce the level of conflict between parents and to create a more stable and supportive environment for the children.
If you believe parenting coordination could benefit your family, you can request it through your legal team or the court. In Florida, both parents must agree to the process, or the court must find it is in the child’s best interest to appoint a coordinator.
