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Effective Use of Parenting Coordination: Considerations for Legal and Mental Health Professionals
Author(s) -
Sullivan Matthew,
Burns Annette
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
family court review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.171
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 1744-1617
pISSN - 1531-2445
DOI - 10.1111/fcre.12509
Subject(s) - jurisdiction , intervention (counseling) , referral , family law , mental health , conciliation , dispute resolution , psychology , family court , conflict resolution , nursing , political science , law , medicine , mediation , psychiatry
Parenting Coordination (PC) is a dispute resolution and case management role to assist high conflict coparents (Coates et al., Family Court Review , 2004; 42, 246–262; Sullivan, Journal of Child Custody , 2008; 5, 3–24; Carter & Lally, Parenting Coordination in Post‐Separation Disputes , 2014; Fidler, Canadian Family Law Quarterly , 2012; 31, 237–273). A revision of the original practice 2005 guidelines for parenting coordination was just published by the Association of Families and Conciliation Courts in 2019, providing an update for the family justice community about developments in the parenting coordinator (PC) role in the last 14 years. This article focuses on how family law professionals can support effective parenting coordination practice in their jurisdiction. Support begins with understanding the PC role as the most intensive intervention available at this time for high conflict coparents, and guidance about what types of cases are appropriate for referral and which are not. A description of the essential components of appointment orders, parenting coordination procedures, and court review are provided as well to best structure the parenting coordination process for success. Finally, the article addresses how jurisdictions can support the development and maintenance of this unique role.