Parenting Coordination (PC) is a specialized dispute resolution process for those parents needing help with the interpretation and management of their parenting plan. It is a private, confidential and supportive multi-staged process that offers parents the opportunity to work out their disagreements together, with coaching and mediation from the PC. If they cannot reach agreements, the PC will give them each a chance to submit evidence and make arguments, after which the PC will make a binding decision. Rather than go to court for day-to-day disagreements, parents can work with a PC who is committed to supporting them and their children in a structured, empathetic and powerful dispute resolution process.

Benefits of a parenting coordinator include:

• Effective communication with a focus on the child’s best interest.
• Reduced misunderstandings and a process for parents to reach a mutual compromise.
• Reduced litigation in court.
• Lower costs and shorter timeframes.

Under Court Rule 5:8D the court may appoint a parenting coordinator selected by the parties. This can be a professional who is not on the Judiciary's roster, or it can be someone the parents trust, such as a mutual friend or community member. The benefit of choosing someone they know is that the person is familiar with the family members and their unique situation. The court can appoint a parenting coordinator from the Judiciary's roster of trained professionals. They are often attorneys, mediators, or mental health professions who have completed mandatory training. They charge an hourly fee for their services.

Parenting with Harmony provides Parent Coordination to parents who have experienced an ongoing pattern of high conflict and/or litigation regarding their children. We help parents implement and comply with court orders and parenting plans by making timely decisions to diminish the pattern of unnecessary litigation, animosity and conflict. Please fill out the form below and someone will get back to you about your specific case.