Parenting

In high-conflict separations or divorces, parenting issues may arise with greater frequency and continue to bring parents back to Court for resolution. This strategy is both time consuming and expensive. An alternate strategy to manage such disputes, as they arise, is through the use of a Parenting Coordinator. When all is said and done, most parents want a good outcome for their children. Our goal is to assist both parents to work toward the most beneficial outcome possible for their children.

A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral person to whom parents can turn when in dispute on matters relating to the children. Parents may access the service of a Parenting Coordinator in a more timely fashion and costs are almost always less than going to Court.

The role of the Parenting Coordinator is to help parents to come to a successful resolution between themselves.

However, the Parenting Coordinator is also empowered by the parents or by Court Order, to make recommendations binding on the parents in the event the parents are unable to agree on solutions. In other words, the decision of the Parenting Coordinator must be followed by the parents, as if ordered by a Court.

If either parent feels there is sufficient reason to challenge the recommendations of the Parenting Coordinator, they still have recourse to the Courts, but may be subject to costs if the Courts support the recommendations of the Parenting Coordinator.

With regard to costs associated with the Parenting Coordinator service specifically, parents typically divide these costs equally unless there is a prior agreement to do otherwise or unless there is an Order of the Court specifying how costs are to be distributed between the parties. The matter of distribution of costs must be determined by the parents, lawyers or Courts, prior to referral.

Referral and service process:

1. A lawyer for either party may initiate contact for the purpose of referral or else both parents must make contact to discuss the referral. Assuming the Parenting Coordinator agrees to accept the referral, a retainer will be determined and the parents will forward payment accordingly in advance of any other activity commencing by the Parenting Coordinator.
2. Parents or their lawyers then provide pertinent reports such as found in the pleadings brief and which can include affidavit material, reports of CAS involvement, prior assessments, etc. These would be read prior to setting meetings.
3. The Parenting Coordinator then meets with each parent individually. These meeting are scheduled for 3 hours duration. The purpose of these meetings is for the Parenting Coordinator to get acquainted and to learn about the parents, their family histories, the children and current issues. During these meetings parents may provide signed consent permitting the Parenting Coordinator to chat with other service providers.
4. If the children are at least 3 years-of-age or otherwise at the Parenting Coordinator's discretion, the Parenting Coordinator will then meet with the children twice. On one occasion mother would bring them and on the other father would bring them. It is important for the Parenting Coordinator to chat with them, to hear first hand their perception of issues. Often, children in high-conflict divorce situations have met with other service providers. It is not sufficient that the Parenting Coordinator only speak to these past or ongoing helpers. The Parenting Coordinator must meet with the children too.
5. Lastly, the Parenting Coordinator meets with both parents together in a joint session wherein issues of concern are discussed. If there is sufficient cause or reason that the parents cannot bee seen together, alternate arrangements may be made, appropriate to the circumstances at the discretion of the Parenting Coordinator. Therein, the Parenting Coordinator will also discuss her willingness to act as Parenting Coordinator, any conditions therein, or advise of any other intervention or service as appropriate or make binding recommendations relative to issues thus far presented.
6. On an ongoing basis other issues of concern may then be presented and/or addressed. Ongoing meetings and other sources of information required to assist in settling disputes or coming to a recommendation, would be at the Parenting Coordinator's discretion, taking into account the input of the parents.

Costs and payment:

1. This service is provided at the cost of $150.00 per hour, sliding scale is available. The estimated cost will be determined by telephone discussion at referral.
2. The parents will provide a retainer for the estimated cost as per the above process in advance of service. In the event the process takes less time than estimated, the balance will be returned. In the event the process takes longer, parents will be billed accordingly and payment will be due upon receipt or parents may be asked to increase the retainer as service continues. Failure to pay may result in service delay or termination.
3. Upon completion of the process described above, further costs for subsequent meetings may then be billed on an ongoing basis, payable at the end of any meeting, or managed though a retainer based system. This will remain at the Parenting Coordinator's discretion.
4. Out of office meetings, correspondences or any other activities required will be accounted for and billed by mail.

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