Wilson Family Law LLC, 667 Shunpike Road, Suite 5, Chatham, NJ 07928
Parenting Coordinator
The overall goal of Parenting Coordination is to help parents implement their parenting plan by using a neutral third party to help parties settle disagreements, especially daily parenting issues. Parenting Coordinators encourage parties to communicate in a more effective way, issue recommendations to resolve issues, and promote collaboration between parents. Recommendations made by the Parenting Coordinator should facilitate decision-making between the parties whenever possible with the goal of creating practices that allow the parents to communicate in a healthy way in the future. One critical focus of the Parenting Coordinator is to keep the best interests of the child in mind when issuing recommendations or guidance to the parties.
The Parenting Coordinator guidelines outlined in Court Rule 5:8D state that a Parenting Coordinator may be appointed only after the entry of both (1) a pendente lite order or a temporary or final custody order, and (2) a parenting plan. Once these are entered, the Court or two parties may choose a neutral third party to moderate discussions and make decisions that would be the most beneficial for the child.
There are many benefits that come with a Parenting Coordinator. One benefit is having the appointed person assist with creating agreements which translates into less time and money is spent in a courtroom. Secondly, Parenting Coordination can also reduce the cost of litigation by facilitating healthier communication styles between parents, which ultimately benefits the child or children.
Although any individual may be a Parenting Coordinator as long as both parties agree (except in cases where there is a domestic violence restraining order), New Jersey has a statewide Roster of Parenting Coordinators who have met all of the qualifications and training requirements outlined in the Parenting Coordinator Guidelines.
Unless otherwise specified, the Parenting Coordinator may make recommendations for a wide range of topics including (but not limited to):
- Time, place, and manner of pick-up and drop-off of child
- Childcare arrangements
- Minor or temporary alterations in parenting schedules
- Selection and scheduling of activities and resolving conflicts between parties concerning the child’s participation in recreation, enrichment, and extracurricular activities
- Equipment and personal possessions of the child, including movement of these items between households
- Clarification of provisions in parenting plans to address inadvertent gaps that could lead to conflict
- Information exchanges including school, health, social activities, and communication about the child between parties
- All other issues agreed upon by the parties and the Parenting Coordinator
Parenting Coordinators are authorized to make recommendations about all topics agreed upon by both parties, excluding financial issues or the modification of legal and/or physical custody.
Communication between the parties or their lawyers and the Parenting Coordinator is not confidential and unlike in Mediation, Parenting Coordinators may meet one-on-one with any party. With written consent of all legal guardians, the Parenting Coordinator may also decide to meet with the child if the Parenting Coordinator believes it will help them make more effective recommendations.
Parenting Coordination is a great way to create positive life changes between two high-conflict parents, resulting in a less stressful and overall better environment for their child or children.
