What is a Parenting Coordinator?

Co-parenting with a former spouse or partner isn’t always easy. In some cases, it may be necessary to have the assistance of a third party who can help to identify potential disputes and assist with finding ways to co-parent more effectively. A parenting coordinator is a neutral party who can help address conflicts occurring between parents to reduce the effects such conflict may have upon their children. Parenting coordinators can work with you and your co-parent to facilitate healthy communication and assist with the development of a parenting time-sharing schedule that will meet the best interests of your children.

What Does a Parenting Coordinator Do?

Regardless of how challenging it can be to communicate with your former spouse or partner when addressing matters concerning parenting time, the best interests of your children must always be paramount. A parenting coordinator helps parents reach decisions regarding parenting time and provides support and process regarding “legal custody” (decision-making) issues. While they are not licensed to provide legal advice, parenting coordinators can provide valuable services to the court, offer education to the parents, and ensure the parties are adhering to the parenting plan that is in place.

While parenting coordinators do not generally have the authority to impose their suggestions upon the parents, if parents are open to it, parenting coordinators can also:

• Minimize Tension: Help reduce conflict between parents by addressing disputes as they arise
• Teach Healthy Communication Skills: Foster productive conversations between parents and model positive communication techniques
• Mediate Disputes: Act as a neutral mediator to resolve conflicts efficiently
• Facilitate Conflict Resolution: Work with both parents to develop solutions that benefit the children.
• Collaborate with Mental Health Professionals: Assist in managing cases alongside counselors, therapists, and other professionals when necessary
• Monitor Parental Behavior: Provide feedback on behavior patterns to improve communication
• Review Custody Evaluations: Assess relevant records and make recommendations to the court if further intervention is needed

Additionally, parenting coordinators assist with day-to-day custody matters such as:

• Coordinating routines and discipline.
• Organizing children’s after-school activities and medical care.
• Creating structured custody exchange schedules.

One key difference between parenting coordination and other forms of mediation or counseling is that there is typically no confidentiality in parenting coordination. If subpoenaed, a parenting coordinator can testify as a factual witness in court.

What Qualifications Does a Parenting Coordinator Need?

Parenting coordinators are specifically trained to mediate high-conflict situations and help the parties reach an amicable resolution if a parenting time dispute arises. In order to be approved by the court as a parenting coordinator, several criteria must be met. A parenting coordinator must be at least 21 years old and have a post-graduate degree in the field of psychology, social work, counseling, negotiation, conflict management, or another related area from either an accredited medical school or law school. They must have at least three years of related professional experience after having received the degree and hold a license for their area of practice, if necessary.

A parenting coordinator is also required to have at least 20 hours of training in a family mediation training program, along with 40 hours of specialty training in topics that have to do with parenting coordination. This training can include subjects such as conflict coaching, the dynamics of high-conflict families, the developmental stages of children, parenting skills, family violence, problem-solving, and the effects of divorce. By law, a minimum of four hours in continuing education in one of these topics must be completed each year.

What are the Benefits of Using a Parenting Coordinator?

You and your co-parent may opt to use a parenting coordinator to help you make decisions regarding parenting matters — or the court can appoint one if it determines one would be of assistance. If parents stipulate to use a parenting coordinator, the court will issue a consent order. Regardless of how a parenting coordinator is appointed in your case, many times, a parenting coordinator can help keep disputes out of court entirely and you may reach an agreement regarding your children without additional judicial intervention. Using a parenting coordinator can also reduce the likelihood that you and your co-parent will return to court in the future.

Working with a parenting coordinator not only helps reduce the emotional burden for parents but can also ease the stress children may experience. Even if parents aren’t openly arguing, children can sense underlying tension. By learning healthy communication techniques and resolving conflicts promptly, parenting coordinators help create a more peaceful co-parenting environment. Children often benefit from the positive communication habits modeled by their parents, which can foster emotional well-being and stability.

Contact an Experienced Maryland Family Law Attorney

If you are facing a parenting time or child custody issue, a parenting coordinator can serve a critical role in your case. To learn more about parenting coordination and resolving your custody matters amicably, contact Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield to schedule a consultation.