High conflict cases are hardest on children.
Fighting over the kids is everyone’s worst nightmare. Some judges and attorneys abhor listening to the nitty-gritty in parenting disputes. It takes a special person to want to help parents and, ultimately, families, learn to work together and empower them to become more independent with decisions over disputes going forward.
Lisa Shapson, one of our partners, is a trained parenting coordinator, mediator and collaborative family lawyer. She has been practicing family law for 20+ years, having both settled and tried many cases. Lisa is also the parent of two daughters, so she brings not only her family court experience to the table, but also her own parenting experience and compassion.
What is Parenting Coordination?
Although parent coordinators were phased out in 2013, the Supreme Court issued a replacement rule that went into effect on March 1, 2019, allowing judges to appoint trained attorneys and mental health professionals in this capacity.
What training do Parenting Coordinators have?
These neutral third-parties are required to take specialized training that includes 5 hours of parenting coordination, 10 hours of family mediation and 5 hours of domestic violence.Parenting coordinators are also required to take continuing legal education credits in parenting coordination and domestic violence.
What does a Parenting Coordinator do?
Their mission is not to be involved in every aspect of your daily life, but to help you parent so you can, eventually, do so on your own.
Of course, parent coordinators are available for future disputes that cannot be resolved between parents if parents agree to extend the appointment.
What is the process and how does it work?
Parenting Coordinators can be appointed by a judge or hired by the parties.
The Parenting Coordinator is authorized to recommend resolutions regarding these issues:
Other related custody issues that you agree to submit to the PC, which issues and request shall be confirmed in writing, and which are not specifically excluded by the applicable Rule of Civil Procedure.
– Other issues as may be set forth by the Judge in the order appointing the PC.
Can I appeal the Parenting Coordinator’s decision?
How much does it cost and who pays the fees?
Lisa’s hourly rate for parenting coordination services is $300/hour, which is billed in increments of 6 minutes. For court-appointed cases, the judge’s order will dictate whether the Parenting Coordinator’s fee should be split equally or by a different percentage, or whether one party is solely responsible for the fees.
Who should consider using a Parenting Coordinator?