Some separated parents obtain a detailed parenting order yet continue arguing over almost every aspect of its implementation.
Which parent drives to hockey?
Can a vacation begin one day early?
How will summer parenting dates be selected?
Who books a medical appointment?
Can the child switch extracurricular activities?
What happens when a school event falls during the other parent's parenting time?
Returning to Court whenever one of these disputes arises can become expensive, slow and emotionally exhausting.
For some families, parenting coordination provides another option.
What Is Parenting Coordination?
Parenting coordination is a child-focused dispute-resolution process typically intended for separated parents who continue experiencing conflict over the implementation of an existing parenting arrangement.
A parenting coordinator helps the parents resolve day-to-day parenting disagreements and improve implementation of their parenting plan or Court order.
Alberta describes a parenting coordinator as a professional–such as a psychologist or social worker–hired by parents involved in a dispute.
Depending upon the scope of the arrangement, the coordinator may assist the parents in reaching agreement and may have authority to make certain decisions where agreement cannot be reached.
Is a Parenting Coordinator a Judge?
No.
A parenting coordinator does not become the family-court judge.
Their authority arises from the parties' agreement, applicable dispute-resolution structure and/or Court order defining the scope of the role.
It is therefore important to understand precisely what the parenting coordinator is authorized to decide.
What Types of Issues Can Parenting Coordinators Help Resolve?
Parenting coordination is generally best suited to implementation disputes rather than fundamental restructuring of parenting arrangements.
Issues may include:
- exchange logistics;
- vacation scheduling;
- holiday details;
- transportation;
- extracurricular activities;
- communication protocols;
- implementation of an existing parenting plan;
- minor scheduling changes; and
- recurring day-to-day parenting disagreements
The exact jurisdiction depends upon the parenting-coordination agreement or order.
What Can a Parenting Coordinator Not Do?
Alberta's public guidance explains that a parenting coordinator cannot simply change custody or make major changes to access schedules.
Using modern terminology, the parenting coordinator generally should not be viewed as someone who can fundamentally rewrite the parenting structure beyond the authority granted to them.
Major changes to primary residence, parenting time or decision-making responsibility may require agreement, arbitration where legally available and authorized, or Court determination.
Can a Parenting Coordinator Make Binding Decisions?
Potentially.
Alberta's dispute-resolution information states that a parenting coordinator can make decisions if the parents cannot agree.
The scope and legal basis for any binding decision should be clearly established.
This is one reason parties should obtain legal advice before entering a parenting-coordination agreement.
How Is Parenting Coordination Different From Mediation?
A mediator helps parties reach their own agreement.
A mediator ordinarily does not impose a result.
Parenting coordination may go further.
The coordinator first attempts to help parents resolve the disagreement, but within the authority granted to the coordinator, the process can include decision-making when the parents remain unable to agree.
Parenting Coordination vs. Arbitration
Arbitration is a dispute-resolution process in which an arbitrator acts as a private decision-maker within their jurisdiction.
Parenting coordination is usually narrower and more focused on ongoing implementation of parenting arrangements and reducing recurring conflict.
Some professionals may possess both parenting-coordination and arbitration qualifications.
The agreement should clearly identify which role the professional is performing and what authority applies.
Who Becomes a Parenting Coordinator?
Parenting coordinators often have professional backgrounds in:
- psychology;
- social work;
- law;
- mediation;
- arbitration; or
- specialized family dispute resolution
Qualifications matter, especially where the coordinator may make decisions affecting children.
The Alberta Court of King's Bench identifies professional organizations that provide information concerning parenting coordinators and parenting experts.
When Does Parenting Coordination Make Sense?
It may be useful where:
- a parenting order already exists;
- parents repeatedly disagree about implementation;
- relatively minor issues continually become major disputes;
- communication is poor;
- the parties frequently return to lawyers over scheduling;
- children are being exposed to recurring parental conflict; or
- a faster mechanism for addressing routine disagreements would benefit the family
Is Parenting Coordination Appropriate Where There Is Family Violence?
Not automatically.
Any dispute-resolution process involving continuing interaction between former partners must account for family violence, coercive control and significant power imbalances.
The Divorce Act specifically requires consideration of the appropriateness of processes requiring cooperation where family violence exists.
Safety must not be sacrificed merely for the appearance of cooperative co-parenting.
What Are the Advantages of Parenting Coordination?
Potential advantages can include:
- quicker resolution of routine disputes;
- reduced Court applications;
- improved implementation of parenting plans;
- clearer communication;
- fewer opportunities for conflict;
- professional guidance; and
- reduced exposure of children to repeated disputes
Whether those benefits occur depends upon the family and the quality of the process.
Who Pays for the Parenting Coordinator?
Parenting coordination is commonly a private professional service.
The parties may agree on how costs will be shared, or the relevant agreement/order may establish responsibility.
Costs should be considered before beginning the process.
However, repeated Court applications and lawyer involvement over routine disputes can also be costly.
Can I Challenge a Parenting Coordinator's Decision?
That depends upon the legal structure, agreement, arbitration framework and Court order governing the coordinator's authority.
The review or appeal mechanism should be understood before the process begins.
Do not assume that disagreeing with the coordinator automatically allows the decision to be ignored.
Parenting Coordination Should Not Replace Necessary Court Intervention
Parenting coordination can be valuable, but it is not the answer to every dispute.
Matters involving:
- immediate safety;
- serious family violence;
- relocation;
- major changes to parenting arrangements;
- serious non-compliance;
- child abduction;
- fundamental decision-making disputes; or
- questions outside the coordinator's authority
- may require another legal process
Speak With an Edmonton Family Lawyer About Parenting Coordination
Parents who repeatedly return to conflict over the details of a parenting arrangement may benefit from a dispute-resolution structure designed specifically for ongoing parenting issues.
Ulasi Law Group assists families in Edmonton and throughout Alberta with parenting plans, parenting coordination, mediation, arbitration, parenting-order disputes and Court proceedings.
Contact our family-law team to determine whether parenting coordination may be appropriate for your family.
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a parenting coordinator do in Alberta?
A parenting coordinator assists separated parents with ongoing parenting disputes, particularly disagreements concerning implementation of an existing parenting plan or order.
Can a parenting coordinator make decisions?
Potentially. Alberta describes parenting coordinators as professionals who may make decisions when parents cannot agree, subject to the authority established for the process.
Can a parenting coordinator change custody?
Alberta's public guidance states that parenting coordinators cannot make major changes to custody or access schedules.
Is parenting coordination the same as mediation?
No. Mediation generally helps parties reach their own agreement. Parenting coordination can include limited decision-making authority.
Is parenting coordination cheaper than Court?
It can potentially reduce repeated Court applications, but parenting coordinators are generally private professionals whose fees must also be considered.
Is parenting coordination appropriate after domestic violence?
Not necessarily. Family violence and power imbalances must be considered carefully before using any process that requires ongoing interaction.
Do I need a lawyer before agreeing to parenting coordination?
Legal advice can be valuable because the agreement may define binding decision-making authority, review rights, costs and the limits of the coordinator's jurisdiction.