What is a parenting coordinator?

What is a parenting coordinator?

Some of the most difficult conversations that divorced or separated parents can have are those that involve the well-being of their children. When two people who already have a distant or challenging relationship with one another attempt to discuss how to co-parent their children, it can be impossible to come to a mutual decision. A parenting coordinator is a third-party mediator who can step in and help co-parents work through disputes about parenting. 

Discuss the possibility of utilizing a parent coordinator with your Fort Worth child custody lawyer today. 

What does a parenting coordinator do?

The parenting coordinator is meant to help parents work through disputes and make decisions based on what is best for their children. If a parenting coordinator is assigned by the court, the court will often identify their role and duties. Some of the common duties of a parenting coordinator in Texas include but are not limited to: 

• Clarifying each parent’s priorities for their child. 
• Developing ways for parents to collaborate with one another.
• Identifying the conflicts and finding methods to work through them.
• Teaching parenting skills and problem-solving.
• Coming up with a parenting plan that works for all parties.

To further discuss your parenting needs, speak with a child custody lawyer who can connect you with the right resources. 

Issues A Parenting Coordinator Can Help Resolve

Sometimes, two parents are unable to agree on even the smallest decisions when it comes to raising their child. A parenting coordinator can help two co-parents work through big and small conflicts when it comes to how they plan to raise their children. These might include decisions around scheduling, education, and religious upbringing. They might also help parents work through vacation schedules, dietary decisions, and more. 

While a parenting coordinator can assist with mediating conflict and helping two parents who are having trouble reaching a resolution on parenting issues, there are limitations to their jurisdiction. They are required to comply with the orders of the court. They are unable to change the court’s decisions regarding conservatorship or who has possession and access to the child. A parenting coordinator cannot amend any order that has been issued by a judge. 

Parenting coordinator costs

Most people can expect to pay about $200 an hour for a parenting coordinator. This cost might be a bit higher depending on where you live. Most co-parents opt to split this cost evenly, but sometimes, one party might offer to pay for more or all of the parenting coordinator fees if their salary is higher. 

Parenting coordinator pros and cons

There are pros and cons to working with a parenting coordinator. One of the biggest pros is that by navigating through tough conversations with a mediator, you are less likely to end up back in court. Additionally, solving conflicts with the co-parent often means providing a more stable and positive environment for your children. The goal of working with a parenting coordinator is to learn how to manage conflicts and have a better long-term relationship with the child’s co-parent. 

There are cons to watch out for, though. Parenting coordinators are human, too, and might come off as biased toward one parent over another. Additionally, their job security relies on continuing to work with two co-parents, meaning that they might not always focus on fast conflict resolution. To avoid these situations, it is advisable to seek a parental coordinator recommendation from your attorney. 

Fort Worth Child Custody Attorneys Helping Parents Navigate Divorce & Co-Parenting

If you are going through a divorce and having a difficult time communicating with your child’s co-parent, it is advisable to speak with an experienced attorney. The team at MBH Fort Worth Family Law is ready to help you through this challenging situation. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us today at 817-476-7964 or contact us online.

Fort Worth, TX Divorce & Family Lawyers

Constance Mims has over fifteen years of experience practicing exclusively family law. Mrs. Mims is Board Certified in Family Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is Collaborative Law certified and is a shrewd negotiator, not to mention her experience in the most challenging child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, alimony, prenuptial agreements, and divorce issues, both in court and in the appellate arena.

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