What Is The Role Of A Parenting Coordinator During A Florida Divorce?

If your Florida divorce involves children who were conceived during the marriage, a parenting coordinator could play an important role, particularly in situations that involve conflict. Parenting coordinators act as impartial third parties. They are usually professionals with a background in family law, psychology, or mediation. They assist parents in implementing and adhering to the terms of the parenting plan. In this article, the Orlando family law attorneys at Greater Orlando Family Law will discuss the role of parenting coordinators during the custody phase of your divorce.

What does a parenting coordinator actually do during a divorce? 

During a Florida divorce, a parenting coordinator will:

• Facilitate communication and mediate disputes – Parenting coordinators help parents improve their communication skills, resolve conflicts related to parenting decisions, and create co-parenting strategies that reduce tension.

• Implementing and enforcing the parenting plan – Parenting coordinators will help ensure that both parents understand and follow the court-ordered parenting plan. This includes time-sharing schedules, decision-making responsibilities, and more. If disputes should arise regarding compliance, the parenting coordinator will provide guidance finding resolutions.

• Educating and supporting parents – Parenting coordinators can offer valuable education and support to parents regarding child development, the impact of the divorce on the children, effective communication skills to utilize while communicating with your former partner, conflict resolution techniques, and age-appropriate parenting practices.

• Determining the child’s needs and making recommendations – In some jurisdictions and with the court’s authorization, the parenting coordinator can evaluate the children’s needs and make recommendations to the court regarding the parenting plan.

• Monitoring compliance and reporting to the court – While parenting coordinators don’t necessarily have decision-making authority over the divorce process, unless agreed upon by both parents, they can monitor a parent’s commitment to the parenting plan and report instances in which the parent didn’t comply when authorized.

• Supporting the children’s well-being – Parenting coordinators promote cooperation and resolve disputes between parents. Their ultimate goal is to reduce the negative impact of the divorce on the child.

Understanding the role of the parenting coordinator 

Generally speaking, parenting coordinators are employed in cases where there is a high degree of conflict between the parents, and the parents are struggling to co-parent on their own. They’re ultimate goal is to ensure that the parents are prioritizing the child’s well-being over all else. They are also required to report any abuse or neglect to the court.

The court can appoint a parenting coordinator in high-conflict custody cases. This generally requires the court to make certain findings regarding the parent’s capacity for cooperation.

Can the parenting coordinator make decisions? 

A parenting coordinator primarily assists the parents in implementing their existing parenting plan. This fosters better communications and helps to resolve disputes between the parents. While a parenting coordinator cannot unilaterally make legally binding decisions or modify court orders, they can make limited decisions within the scope of a court order in specific circumstances.

Talk to an Orlando, FL, Child Custody Lawyer Today 

Greater Orlando Family Law represents the interests of parents during high-conflict custody situations. Call our Orlando family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin assisting you right away.