Parenting coordination is a process where a trained professional, known as a parenting coordinator, helps separated or divorced parents work together to make decisions in the best interests of their children.

Parenting coordination is a child-focussed alternative dispute resolution process for parents in conflict and with a history of on-going child-related disputes.

A parenting coordinator helps parents carry out their parenting agreement or order. A parenting coordinator does not create or change parenting arrangements. They help parents resolve disagreements about how parenting agreements or orders are put into effect. A parenting coordinator cannot make major decisions. Their job is to help you follow the parts of your court order, arbitration award or agreement that deal with parenting issues.

A parenting coordinator will try to help you and the other parent resolve the disagreements about your parenting arrangements.

Both parents enter into a Parenting Coordination Agreement with an agreed upon term, usually two years. The parenting coordinator agreement will also clarify the jurisdiction of the parenting coordinator, in other words, what issues the parenting coordinator can or cannot resolve. The parents agree that in the event that there is no agreement between them, the parenting coordination will make a decision and the parents will follow it.

Parenting disputes can be as complicated as what time pick up a child for parenting time or as seemingly simple as should a child attend a certain birthday party.

A parenting coordinator cannot make any determination that fundamentally changes your agreement or order . This is because the parenting coordinator's role is to help you carry out, not change, existing agreements or orders.

If you are separated or divorced parent, consider seeking the services of a parenting coordinator with Heft Mediation to help you create a better co-parenting relationship and support your children's well-being.