What Is a Parenting Coordinator and Why Do I Need One?

A parenting coordinator (“PC”) is a professional that helps separated parents with parenting-related issues outside of court. Generally, they may be family law lawyers, social workers, counsellors or psychologists.

Under the Family Law Act, a parenting coordinator is a family dispute resolution professional. Family dispute resolution professionals have an obligation under the Family Law Act to discuss the use of various out-of-court processes to resolve the family law issue and inform the client of the resources that may be available to assist in resolving the dispute.

Usually, these professionals assist parents in reaching an agreement on an issue. However, if the people cannot reach an agreement, and if the issue is within the coordinator’s jurisdiction, he or she can then make a written determination similar to what a judge does.

Should I hire a Parenting Coordinator?

Parenting coordinators assist the parties with co-parenting, resolving day-to-day disputes that may arise, making decisions for their child, and overall reducing conflict between the parties.

In certain circumstances, they can make determinations on issues that the parties cannot agree on. These may include:

• a parenting/contact time schedule and exchanges,
• the child’s education,
• participation in extracurricular activities,
• routine medical, dental, or other health care for the child, and
• discipline of the child.

When decisions need to be made, having a parenting coordinator may provide the parties with a timely and cost-effective decision without going to court.

What can a Parenting Coordinator not do?

There are certain matters that a parenting coordinator is not permitted to make determinations on, such as:

• changing guardianship,
• changing parental responsibilities,
• giving someone who does not already have parenting/contact time,
• substantial changes to parenting/contact time, and relocation of the child.

However, a coordinator may still assist in other ways such that the parents can make decisions together.

What if I don’t like the coordinator’s decision regarding my child?

You may make an application to the court to overturn that decision or get rid of the PC; however, if the reason for making the application is simply because you do not like the coordinator’s determination, you won’t have much luck in court. The court may change or set aside the coordinator’s determination if the court is satisfied that he or she acted outside of their authority or made an error of law or of mixed law and fact. The threshold of proving the PC was wrong is very high. It is always good to speak to your family lawyer to know of your likely chances to win/lose in court.

How do I hire a PC?

If you and the other party agree, you may proceed to select a coordinator and sign the PC agreement, including an outline of the coordinator’s authority. You can find a roster of parenting coordinators in BC online. If the other party is not agreeable, you can apply to the court to have a parenting coordinator appointed.

How long can I use a PC?

Generally, after the parenting coordination agreement is signed, a coordinator will assist the parties for a two-year term. Once a parenting coordinator has been retained, their services can only be terminated under certain circumstances:

• if the parental coordinator was retained by agreement, the parties may agree to terminate,
• a party may apply to the court to terminate the coordinator’s services, or
• the PC terminates the relationship.

If the parenting coordinator was court-appointed, a party has to apply to the court to terminate the parenting coordinator’s services.

So should you hire a parenting coordinator? It is always better to speak to a BC family lawyer to see if that is a good way to go versus negotiation, court, mediation or arbitration.

For more information, contact our award-winning family lawyers at 604-974-9529 or get in touch.