Benefits of a Parenting Coordinator

Sometimes in high conflict cases, parties are unable to communicate effectively and cooperate regarding their children. When this becomes an issue, the Court may appoint, or the parties may agree to involve a parenting coordinator (PC). A PC is there to help facilitate and assist the parties in all things relating to their children, whether it be effectuating and interpreting the parenting schedule, selecting third party resources for the parties such as therapists, and assisting the parties’ in their communication. Parenting coordinators must possess qualifications set forth in the Local Rules of the Circuit Court of Cook County (specifically, 13.10) and shall act in the best interests of the children. Their job is to simplify or ease the process for parents by educating, mediating, monitoring court orders, and making recommendations as necessary. 

Parties should look to parenting coordinators as a helpful voice to guide them through the difficult transition following the breakdown of a relationship in all matters related to parenting. It can be hard to communicate or even address the other party in this situation and having a neutral party facilitating the needs of the child can help the process become more efficient and easier for the children.  Parenting coordinators specifically work with parties to direct any disagreements or concerns, but also to work on resolving the conflict by recommending resolutions that best benefit your children and family.

Parenting coordinators cannot modify if you have shared or sole decision making or the regular and routine parenting schedule.  That is something that would be facilitated through mediation and/or the court. 

Erin has worked on multiple high-conflict cases as a parenting coordinator and has been able to effectively coordinate parenting disputes and communications. Typically, Erin will contact both parties, as well as their respective counsels, to get a grasp of the main issues in a case. She may also want to meet the children to gauge their wants and needs to best maintain their best interests in the matter. Meetings with the parties can be facilitated via telephone or in-person meetings. Once Erin knows the parties’ conflict or parenting issue, she works to expedite all possible methods to best address them, which means she has a wide range of duties. These could be anything from recommending a certain app to use for communications and scheduling or enforcing the parties’ parenting agreement by interpreting certain clauses and provisions. 

While this is just a brief overview of what a parenting coordinator can do for your family, please contact The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC for a consultation to discuss your specific needs and whether a parenting coordinator may benefit you and your child/ren.

NOTICE: This blog is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as providing legal advice. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding this blog post.