What exactly is a parenting coordinator?
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Who’s a Parenting Coordinator & Why It Matters
What is parenting coordination, you ask? While it is tempting to give a quick definition based on the Florida legal perspective that is assumed, some authors have observed that a more in-depth answer is required.
When I returned to law school in my early forties, I wasn't going to law school because I had nothing to do at home. At the time, law school was one of the most competitive schools a young person could try, and juggling life with a family and a full set of adult responsibilities was an almost impossible task. I went to law school to study constitutional and environmental law. I have completed the practice of family, administrative and criminal law.
Family Court is an attractive place to practice law. This is where the most important people in our lives, the fabric of who we are, are affected by every decision, every act and every failure to act. Pity for your ex can be used against you and an agreement to change the schedule for a certain occasion can turn into a demand to modify it whenever and wherever. It's a place where grandparents can become enemies and significant others give World War II an inferiority complex.
Parenting coordination in Florida was proposed several years before its final enactment. It was passed by the legislature, but then-governor Jeb Bush vetoed it. They believed the original concept gave too much power to the parenting coordinator and not enough court oversight. The concept has been revised several times, and several reports and committees are working together to try to find a good balance for parents, children, courts and the overall family structure while protecting important individual rights. It was signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist in 2009 and adopted by the Florida Supreme Court in 2010.
Florida Statutes: 61.125 states: "The purpose of parenting coordination is to provide a child-centered alternative dispute resolution process, thereby facilitating the resolution of conflicts between parents by providing a parenting coordinator education and parenting plan." Assists parents in creating or implementing, recommending, and, with the prior consent of the parent and the court, making limited decisions within the scope of the court's referral order.” The statute clarifies that where there is a judgment or order establishing a parenting plan, the parents are a parenting co. -Coordinator may be requested, or appointed by the court, to assist the parent in resolving disputes related to that parenting plan.
Well... in English. If the court orders or adopts a parenting plan, and the parents cannot work together to implement that plan, the court may appoint a parenting coordinator to help them. Courts empower parenting coordinators to use a variety of resources to assist parents. The key words here are "adopting a court order or parenting plan."
Parenting is a tough job.
Perhaps one of the most difficult things we do in our lives. When two people are working together to raise a child, we must meet the challenge with a united front, or at least try to. What happens when we can't? What happens when we decide to split up and try to raise kids together... separately? What about the grandparents? Who takes the children to school? Who goes home from work when the kids are sick? What happens when we meet someone else and they get involved with kids?
All of these questions can cause tension and stress in even the most amicable breakup.
No one begins to believe that they will fight for every child for 18 years. But, unfortunately it happens. It happens to good people who think well, and who do their best to take care of the children they love. Happens to people who have been ordered by the court to do things they don't want to do with their children
Over the years, the court system has tried to work with parents to fashion solutions in the best interests of children. The court does its best with the information provided. Unfortunately, that information is limited by the time, quality and/or presence of attorneys and the person sitting on the bench. Mediation has come a long way over the past 30 years to help parents and courts reach more personalized solutions for individual families. This system works for most parents.
Then there are the parents who just can't seem to get things together.
Those who return to court time and time again with disputes over children, new significant others, grandparents, daycare options, when to take vacation, and the hundreds of other issues that come up every day. This is where parenting coordination comes in handy.
What exactly is a parenting coordinator?
What is parenting coordination, you ask? While it is tempting to give a quick definition based on the Florida legal perspective that is assumed, some authors have observed that a more in-depth answer is required.
When I returned to law school in my early forties, I wasn't going to law school because I had nothing to do at home. At the time, law school was one of the most competitive schools a young person could try, and juggling life with a family and a full set of adult responsibilities was an almost impossible task. I went to law school to study constitutional and environmental law. I have completed the practice of family, administrative and criminal law.
Family Court is an attractive place to practice law.
This is where the most important people in our lives, the fabric of who we are, are affected by every decision, every act and every failure to act. Pity for your ex can be used against you and an agreement to change the schedule for a certain occasion can turn into a demand to modify it whenever and wherever. It's a place where grandparents can become enemies and significant others give World War II an inferiority complex.
Parenting coordination in Florida was proposed several years before its final enactment.
It was passed by the legislature, but then-governor Jeb Bush vetoed it. They believed the original concept gave too much power to the parenting coordinator and not enough court oversight. The concept has been revised several times, and several reports and committees are working together to try to find a good balance for parents, children, courts and the overall family structure while protecting important individual rights. It was signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist in 2009 and adopted by the Florida Supreme Court in 2010.
Florida Statutes:
61.125 states: "The purpose of parenting coordination is to provide a child-centered alternative dispute resolution process, thereby facilitating the resolution of conflicts between parents by providing a parenting coordinator education and parenting plan." Assists parents in creating or implementing, recommending, and, with the prior consent of the parent and the court, making limited decisions within the scope of the court's referral order.” The statute clarifies that where there is a judgment or order establishing a parenting plan, the parents are a parenting co. -Coordinator may be requested, or appointed by the court, to assist the parent in resolving disputes related to that parenting plan.
Well... in English. If the court orders or adopts a parenting plan, and the parents cannot work together to implement that plan, the court may appoint a parenting coordinator to help them. Courts empower parenting coordinators to use a variety of resources to assist parents. The key words here are "adopting a court order or parenting plan."
Parenting is a tough job. Perhaps one of the most difficult things we do in our lives. When two people are working together to raise a child, we must meet the challenge with a united front, or at least try to. What happens when we can't? What happens when we decide to split up and try to raise kids together... separately? What about the grandparents? Who takes the children to school? Who goes home from work when the kids are sick? What happens when we meet someone else and they get involved with kids?
All of these questions can cause tension and stress in even the most amicable breakup. No one begins to believe that they will fight for every child for 18 years. But, unfortunately it happens. It happens to good people who think well, and who do their best to take care of the children they love. Happens to people who have been ordered by the court to do things they don't want to do with their children
Over the years, the court system has tried to work with parents to fashion solutions in the best interests of children. The court does its best with the information provided. Unfortunately, that information is limited by the time, quality and/or presence of attorneys and the person sitting on the bench. Mediation has come a long way over the past 30 years to help parents and courts reach more personalized solutions for individual families. This system works for most parents.
Then there are the parents who just can't seem to get things together. Those who return to court time and time again with disputes over children, new significant others, grandparents, daycare options, when to take vacation, and the hundreds of other issues that come up every day. This is where parenting coordination comes in handy.
A warning to anyone reading this article. There has been much criticism of parent-child coordination efforts and domestic violence. Domestic violence comes in many forms. It's not always obvious or physical, and it's not something to be taken lightly. Parenting coordinators receive training in domestic violence, and in most cases, where domestic violence is a significant factor in the relationship, parenting coordination is not recommended.
Courts should make specific inquiries and obtain informed consent from all parties to recommend a parenting coordinator in a domestic violence case. There will be other articles on domestic violence on this site, but it should be noted that if domestic violence is ongoing the court cannot refer the case in most circumstances.
CONCLUSION
Parenting coordinators receive training in domestic violence, and in most cases, where domestic violence is a significant factor in the relationship, parenting coordination is not recommended. Courts should make specific inquiries and obtain informed consent from all parties to recommend a parenting coordinator in a domestic violence case. There will be other articles on domestic violence on this site, but it should be noted that if domestic violence is ongoing the court cannot refer the case in most circumstances.
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FAQ
What does a parent coordinator do?A parent coordinator is a neutral third party appointed by a court or agreed upon by parents to help manage and reduce conflict in co-parenting situations. Their primary goal is to help separated or divorced parents improve communication, resolve disputes, and make decisions in the best interest of their children without constantly returning to court.
Parent coordinators are often mental health professionals, mediators, or lawyers with specialized training in family dynamics and conflict resolution. They don’t take sides—they focus on the well-being of the child and help parents stick to parenting plans, clarify misunderstandings, and work through disagreements on issues like visitation schedules, school choices, holidays, discipline, and medical care.
Unlike traditional mediators, parent coordinators may have limited authority—granted by the court—to make certain decisions when parents can’t agree. They can also document and report behaviors to the court if necessary.
This role is especially helpful in high-conflict custody cases, where ongoing tension could negatively affect the child. By promoting respectful communication and accountability, parent coordinators help families create healthier co-parenting relationships, reducing stress for both the parents and their children.
A Parent Involvement Coordinator plays a vital role in strengthening the connection between families and schools. Their main responsibility is to encourage and support parent engagement in their child’s education, helping create a more collaborative and successful learning environment.
These coordinators work within schools or school districts to build strong relationships between educators and families, ensuring that parents feel welcomed, informed, and empowered. They organize events like parent-teacher workshops, family nights, and informational sessions to keep parents actively involved in their children’s academic journey.
Parent Involvement Coordinators also serve as a resource bridge, connecting families to important school services, community programs, and tools that support student success. They often assist with things like communication (especially for non-English-speaking families), resolving school-related concerns, and increasing awareness of volunteer opportunities.
Their goal is to foster a culture of shared responsibility, where parents and schools work together to promote student achievement, attendance, behavior, and emotional well-being. By improving parent participation, these coordinators contribute to better academic outcomes and stronger school communities.
In short, a Parent Involvement Coordinator is a champion for parent voice and partnership—because when parents are involved, students thrive.
A parenting coordinator and a mediator both help resolve conflicts between separated or divorced parents, but their roles, authority, and scope of involvement are quite different.
A mediator is a neutral facilitator who helps parents work through disputes voluntarily. Mediation is typically a short-term, confidential process focused on reaching a mutual agreement—such as parenting plans or custody arrangements. Mediators do not make decisions; they simply guide discussions, clarify issues, and help parents find common ground. Once an agreement is reached, it may be submitted to the court for approval.
In contrast, a parenting coordinator is often appointed by the court to work with high-conflict families on an ongoing basis. Their role includes helping parents implement existing court orders, reducing tension, and resolving day-to-day parenting issues—like scheduling, discipline disagreements, or communication challenges. Unlike mediators, parenting coordinators may have limited authority to make binding decisions on minor issues when parents cannot agree, depending on the court’s order.
In summary, a mediator helps create agreements, while a parenting coordinator helps enforce and manage them over time. Mediators are used pre-agreement; parenting coordinators are often involved post-divorce or custody ruling, offering longer-term conflict resolution support.
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