Parenting Coordination
A Parenting Coordinator assists the post-separation / post-divorce family to co-parent.
The Parenting Coordinator (“PC”) does not negotiate the Parenting Plan. The Parenting Plan and/or Parenting Schedule is already in place. The PC works with both the parents and the children to manage the many large and small matters that arise when you are co-parenting children, but don’t see eye to eye.
The PC’s role is child focused. The primary goal is to help the parents concentrate on what is best for the child(ren). This involves how to resolve disagreements between the parents to minimize the conflict and turmoil for the children (and by extension for the parents).
The Family Law Act of British Columbia recognizes PC’s as Family Dispute Resolution Professionals, who can make both recommendations and binding decisions. The PC acts as a neutral who attempts first to resolve disputes by building consensus (through negotiation and mediation). However, if resolutions cannot be achieved, the PC can make a binding determination which can be filed with the Court. A PC’s binding determination can be enforced the same as a Court Order.
The Parenting Coordination Agreement signed by the parents gives the Parenting Coordinator the scope of their authority by specifying which matters the family requires the PC’s assistance to address. This can be broad or narrow. Some examples of common Parenting Coordination matters include:
- Child’s daily routine
- Details or adjustments to the Child’s schedule for Parenting time
- Transportation and exchange of child(ren) for Parenting Time
- Child’s contact with extended family members or new significant others
- Child’s education and special needs
- Child’s participation in extracurricular activities and special events
- Medical dental and health care issues
- Discipline
- Vacations and Special Occasions
- The temporary care of a child by a person other than a guardian
- Any other matters if agreed upon by PC and Parents, or Court Ordered
More broadly, a PC can help you: set up communication systems with the co-parent; create guidelines about how your Parenting Plan will be implemented; and create strategies for resolving conflicts between parents. PC’s can also provide recommendations to other helpful resources for parents (parenting courses, self-help courses, counselling etc.)