Parenting Coordination is used in high conflict cases where parents struggle to reach a consensus regarding parenting arrangements. The parenting coordinator (PC) is either appointed by the court or hired privately by parents to resolve differences in implementing a parenting plan or custody order.
The goal of the process is to reduce conflict between parents which is harmful to their children and to have an efficient process to implement determinations relating to custodial arrangements.
• Places and conditions for transitions between households
• Temporary variation from the schedule for a special event or particular circumstance
• School issues, apart from school selection
• The children’s participation in recreation, enrichment, and extracurricular activities, including travel
• Child-care arrangements
• Clothing, equipment, toys, and personal possessions of the children
• Information exchanges (e.g., school, health, social) and communication with or about the children
• Coordination of existing or court-ordered services for the children (e.g., psychological testing, alcohol or drug monitoring/testing, psychotherapy, anger management)
• Behavioral management of the children
• Other related custody issues that the parties mutually have agreed in writing to submit to the parenting coordinator, which are not excluded by state rule.
Parenting Coordination is governed by Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1915.11. The PC is authorized to make recommended resolutions to the Court. The parties may file objections to the PC’s recommendation which will then be heard by the Court. However, most issues raised will be resolved by the PC.
The Parenting Coordination process is more time and cost efficient than seeking relief from the Court on such issues due to scheduling delays, litigation costs, and counsel fees. The parties will share the cost of the PC, rather than pay two lawyers to draft petitions, responses, wait for court scheduling. If you have a highly contentious custody matter, a PC may be helpful for your case.
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