In Missouri, after a court enters a parenting plan, parents frequently have difficulty making agreements. A parenting coordinator (“PC”) can help. The PC helps parents reach agreements on important matters, such as medical, extracurricular activities, and scheduling issues. If parents cannot reach an agreement, the PC can make decisions for them.

A PC’s role is like that of a mediator, but the PC can go beyond facilitating conversations. The PC can make binding decisions quickly, especially in urgent situations, such as medical care for a child or an imminent schedule dispute or change. Courts often take months to resolve issues that a PC can resolve in days.

When is a Parenting Coordinator appropriate?

A PC appointment order may be entered along with a judgment that includes a parenting plan, and when parents are in high conflict and have difficulty agreeing, where there have been repeated legal actions, or when mental health or substance abuse monitoring is appropriate.  

How can a Parenting Coordinator help?

• Mediation and conflict resolution: A PC mediates disputes between parents, helping them improve communication to reach resolutions and prioritizing the children’s well-being. While they can’t change child support or the long-term parenting schedule, they can help with one-time schedule changes for special events or with less urgent matters, like deciding on a child’s participation in extracurricular activities or interpreting the parenting plan.
• Decision-making authority: If parents are unable to come to an agreement, the Parenting Coordinator can make the decision.   A PC’s decisions are immediate and enforceable in such areas as:
  • when changes in a “step-up” parenting schedule are to occur;
  • amounts owed for health and extracurricular expenses;
  • appropriate health care and counseling for the children and parents;
  • alcohol assessment and drug testing;
  • attendance at activities, meetings, and health appointments.
• Issue resolution: The PC can determine:
  • extracurricular activities;
  • educational choices;
  • childcare arrangements;
  • medical care;
  • child-related financial disputes.
• Emergencies: The PC can make quick decisions for
  • medical emergencies;
  • immediate schedule or care issues.

Limitations.

A PC cannot:

• change legal or physical custody;
• change the overall schedule;
• change financial terms;
• enter new orders outside the scope of their authority. 

Benefits of a Parenting Coordinator.

A PC can reduce stress in a high-conflict divorce by acting as a mediator and decision-maker. Other benefits include:

• Efficiency: Swift resolutions.
• Cost-effectiveness: Significant savings on legal fees.
• Privacy: Parents can resolve disputes outside of the courtroom. 
• Improved communication: Mediation and coaching can help parents develop better communication, potentially leading to fewer conflicts.
• Child-centered solutions: Decisions made by PCs prioritize the children’s well-being.

How does it work?

PCs can only be appointed by agreement of the parents and with an order signed by them, the PC, and the court.  

As part of the collaborative process, you can:

• agree to have a PC appointed;
• interview the PC together or separately;
• if appropriate, involve the PC in the drafting of your parenting plan and PC appointment order.

Conclusion.

A Parenting Coordinator can help parents resolve ongoing parenting issues without the need for repeated court intervention. The Parenting Coordinator can handle issues the court is not able to address and offers timely, cost-effective, and child-focused solutions. Parenting coordination promotes a less adversarial co-parenting dynamic, reduces the burden on courts, and ensures the child’s best interests remain the parents’ central focus.