Information About Parenting Coordination

In high-conflict separations or divorces, parenting issues may arise with greater frequency that continue to bring parents back to Court for resolution. This strategy is both untimely and expensive. An alternate strategy to manage such disputes as they arise is through the use of a Parenting Coordinator.

A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral person to whom parents can turn when in dispute on matters relating to the children. Parents may access the service of a Parenting Coordinator in a more timely fashion and costs are almost always less than going to Court, but this is not a guarantee.

The role of the Parenting Coordinator is to help parents to come to a successful resolution between themselves. However, the Parenting Coordinator is also empowered by the parents, their Parenting Plan Agreement or by Court Order, to make recommendations binding on the parents in the event the parents are unable to agree on solutions. In other words, the decision of the Parenting Coordinator must be followed by the parents, as if ordered by a Court.

With regard to costs associated with the Parenting Coordinator service specifically, parents typically divide these costs equally unless there is a prior agreement to do otherwise or unless there is an Order of the Court specifying how costs are to be distributed between the parties. The matter of distribution of costs must be determined by the parents, lawyers or Courts, prior to referral.

As of April 30, 2008, there are new rules governing the provision of the Parenting Coordination service in the Province of Ontario. Those new rules  require the parties to obtain independent legal advice prior to service and also require the Parenting Coordinator to screen the parties for domestic violence and power imbalances prior to service. These matters will be discussed at the time of referral. Furthermore, the new rules require the Parenting Coordinator to have been trained in screening procedures for domestic violence and power imbalances as well as having received training in family law. I have received all such mandatory training, in compliance with the laws of Ontario

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