What Is Parent Coordination?
Parent coordination is a court-recognized, child-focused dispute resolution process designed for families experiencing ongoing conflict. Under the Maryland Rules, a parent coordinator is a neutral professional appointed by the court or agreed to by the parties to assist parents in carrying out their parenting plan, improving communication, and resolving day-to-day disagreements.
Rather than returning to court for every dispute, parents have access to a consistent professional who can help address issues promptly and constructively, reducing stress on both the family and the children.
When Is Parent Coordination Appropriate?
Parent coordination is often appropriate when parents find themselves repeatedly at odds over routine parenting matters or when minor disagreements quickly escalate. It can be especially beneficial in cases involving:
- Chronic communication difficulties
- Frequent disputes about scheduling or interpretation of court orders
- High-conflict dynamics that place children in the middle
- Unsuccessful prior mediation
- The need for ongoing structure and accountability
The Parent Coordinator's Role
A parent coordinator serves multiple functions:
Education
- Teaching effective co-parenting communication
- Helping parents understand children's developmental needs
- Explaining the impact of conflict on children
- Assisting parents with their conflict resolution strategies
Facilitation
- Managing communication between parents
- Helping with the implementation of parenting plans
- Facilitating discussion of scheduling issues
Dispute Resolution
- Mediating disagreements as they arise
- Helping parents reach agreements on minor issues
- Making recommendations when parents cannot agree
- In some cases, making binding decisions on limited issues
How Parent Coordination Works
Parent coordination may be court-ordered or voluntarily agreed upon. After appointment, the coordinator typically meets with both parents, reviews existing orders and agreements, and remains available on an ongoing basis to address issues as they arise. Sessions may occur by video or in person.
Because the process is connected to the court, communications are not confidential in the same way mediation is, and the coordinator may be called to testify during a custody hearing.
Benefits of Parent Coordination
For many families, parent coordination provides a faster, more cost-effective, and less adversarial way to manage conflict. Issues can be addressed in real time, parents receive consistent guidance, and children benefit from reduced tension and greater stability.
Confidentiality
Unlike mediation, parent coordination communications are not confidential. Depending on the issues presented in a custodial dispute, a parent coordinator's testimony may provide important evidence that helps the court make child-focused decisions in a custody dispute.
Our Parent Coordination Services
At Leffler, Bayoumi & Oliver, LLC, we bring both insight and practical experience to the parent coordination process. Our firm provides parent coordination services and also represents parents working with parent coordinators in their cases. We regularly advise clients on structuring coordination agreements and advocate in court when coordination-related issues arise.
If parent coordination has been recommended or ordered in your case, we are happy to help you understand the process and navigate it with confidence.
