After an agreement has been reached, you may sometimes run into issues with trying to understand the terms of an agreement and how it applies, especially in relation to a child’s care. After intense litigation and/or negotiations, it can be difficult at times to communicate with your former partner in a way that focusses on your child’s wellbeing and this difficulty in communicating can potentially lead to further conflict.
Tracing all the way back to the 1980s, parenting coordination has played a crucial role in helping separated parents to target this issue by improving their co-parenting relationship and assisting parents to manage any issues that come up in relation to a child’s living or care arrangements in a way that captures a child’s needs and best interests.
Who are parenting coordinators?
Parenting coordinators are generally highly specialised individuals who have a strong understanding of the family law system as well as extensive experience in working with families that have a high level of conflict or animosity. They often have a background in practising family law, family dispute resolution or preparing family reports, etc.
When do you usually see parenting coordination take place? What happens?
Parenting coordination is a process that is usually ordered by the Court or consented by both parents after a final agreement has been reached on a child’s care arrangements. The process starts off by the separated parents taking steps to officially engage the parenting coordinator to act in relation to their matter. After this takes place, an initial consultation takes place between the parenting coordinator and the parents to gain an understanding of the individual circumstances surrounding a family, assess the issues of concern held by either parent or formulate an action plan. Following this, a parenting coordinator may arrange joint sessions between parents to assist with implementing an agreement with respect to a child’s care and building a healthy environment which reduces a child’s exposure to conflict.
The process itself may take place in person or via video or telephone conference, and the parenting coordinator essentially focuses on reducing a child’s exposure to conflict by:
- Educating parents on how to best communicate with each other and make decisions together in a way that is primarily focused on a child’s needs;
- Putting forward strategies to assist with managing any dispute between parents in relation to the implementation of any agreements reached with respect to a child’s care;
- Assisting parents to understand the impact of a child’s exposure to ongoing conflict;
- Helping parents to adapt to the ongoing needs of a child; and
- Providing resources and/or necessary referrals, alongside doing other things necessary to best assist parents with respect to co-parenting and/or understanding a child’s needs considering a family’s unique circumstances.
Is parenting coordination similar to mediation?
No. Although parenting coordination is a type of dispute resolution, the key aim of parenting coordination is to educate separated parents on how to best resolve any disputes arising from the implementation of existing agreements with respect to the child’s care. This contrasts with mediation, where the key aim is to assist both parents and/or parties to reach agreement.
Another key difference is that parenting coordination is generally a non-confidential process which means that a parenting coordinator may be called upon to prepare a report or provide evidence in Court after receiving a request from either parent and/or by the Court to do so whereas mediation takes place in a confidential setting.
Parenting coordination is also an ongoing process as opposed to mediation which generally is a one-off session or sometimes series of sessions in complex cases.
How long does parenting coordination take place for?
Generally, parenting coordination can range from anywhere from a couple of appointments to up to around two years. It is also not unusual for parents to touch base with parenting coordinators to resolve an issue in dispute arising from the implementation of an agreement regarding a child’s care even after a period of two years.
What type of situations would benefit from parenting coordination?
Parenting coordination is used in situations where an agreement has already been reached with respect to a child’s care arrangement, however, a high degree of conflict or animosity is still prevalent between the parents and cause the following:
- Parents may find it challenging in order to make a decision together with respect to a child’s care;
- Parents may need assistance with discussing modifications to an agreement with respect to a child’s care having due regard to a child’s ongoing needs and age, after final agreement has been reached;
- Parents may struggle with communicating with each other for a range of issues, including any hostility, etc; or
- Parents may find it difficult to implement or follow the terms of a Court order or parenting plan with respect to a child’s care arrangement.
Parenting coordination is not appropriate for situations where it is likely that the process may threaten a child’s and/or parent’s safety.
Still not sure what is right for your situation? Get in touch with a family lawyer today
Daykin Family Law can provide expert advice on your options and the best course of action with respect to any issues that you may face whilst co-parenting with your former partner. Whilst an agreement may have been reached, engaging a family lawyer or seeking advice does not technically mean further litigation. Each scenario is unique, and we can assist you throughout this journey.
