Parent Coordination vs. Parent Facilitation vs. Mediation, which one is right for you?

  • A parent coordinator is typically appointed by the court or agreed upon by both parties involved in a custody dispute. Their primary role is to assist parents in implementing and adhering to their parenting plan or custody agreement.

    Parent coordinators may have a background in law, psychology, or social work, and they have specialized training in conflict resolution and family dynamics. They are typically engaged not to help resolve a specific dispute but in an ongoing manner to assist in long-term relationship building and dispute resolution.

    Texas has implemented Parenting Coordination as a confidential process similar to mediation. Parenting Coordinators may not be called to testify in court and can only report to the court whether the process is continuing or not.

  • Parenting Facilitators are similar to parent coordinators EXCEPT, it is not confidential, and they are to monitor compliance with court orders.

    Parenting Facilitators bring an additional monitoring and reporting role to the process, and can help inform the court, the parents, and their attorneys as to what appears to be in the children’s best interests, as well as how each parent is contributing to meeting those interests.

    Parenting Facilitation is useful for cases where parents may need more directive assistance in disengaging from their disputes with one another and refocusing on addressing the needs of the children in question.

  • A mediator is a neutral third party who facilitates communication and negotiation between disputing parties with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Mediation is sometimes voluntary and sometimes court-ordered, but both parties must agree to participate.

    Unlike a Parent Facilitator, a mediator never has decision-making authority. Instead, they help the parties explore options, identify common ground, and work towards a resolution that results in a signed written agreement. There are no verbal agreements or “recommendations” that result from mediation. An agreement is only reached if an agreement is signed.

    Mediators may have backgrounds in law, psychology, social work, or other fields related to conflict resolution, and they are trained in techniques to foster constructive dialogue and problem-solving.

    A mediator typically serves in the role for a very limited time to resolve a specific dispute. They are not engaged in an ongoing manner.

Parenting Coordinators/Facilitators:

  • Because parenting coordination helps high conflict families resolve their disputes outside of court and reduces the excessive use and cost of litigation.

    Because parenting coordination serves as an alternative dispute resolution method where high conflict cases with child related issues are not suitable for mediator or mediation was unsuccessful.

    Because parenting coordination helps families through conflict, resulting in a more intact family unit, even if separated. Parenting coordination reduces the harmful effects of conflict, which jeopardizes the wellbeing of children.

  • A parenting coordinator is a qualified professional who must have completed specific training, and meet national training standard guidelines. A parenting coordinator must have experience in the following disciplines: family systems theory, developmental psychology, high conflict divorce resolution techniques including mediation, children adjustment issues specific to divorce including parental alienation, domestic abuse, and knowledge of the legal facets of divorce.

  • The court may appoint a parenting coordinator to a family case to assist high conflict parents with compliance with court orders concerning shared parenting. The court may appoint a parenting coordinator when:

    • The parties have failed to adequately implement their shared parenting plan in relation to the child; or

    • Mediation has not been successful or has been determined by the court to be inappropriate; or

    • The court finds that appointment of a parenting coordinator is necessary to protect the child from harm caused by the parents’ failure to implement the shared parenting plan; or

    • The court finds that there is a need for a parenting coordinator to protect and sustain safe, healthy, and meaningful parent-child relationships; or

    • The court has entered a temporary or final order setting out the nature and extent of the contact between the child and each parent.

  • The parties may agree upon a parenting coordinator who meets the qualifications or someone who, in the opinion of the parties and upon approval by the court, is otherwise qualified by training or expertise to serve as parenting coordinator for the case.

More about Parent Coordinating/Parent Facilitating

Parent Coordination/Facilitation is a non-adversarial role court-ordered or mutually agreed upon by the parties. The process promotes the best interests of the children and parents alike while reducing the burden on the judicial system. Studies routinely demonstrate children raised in emotionally stable environments have less substance abuse, less behavior problems, and less mental health complications. PC/PF helps create healthy environments.

What a Parenting Coordinator is NOT:

A parenting coordinator/facilitator is NOT a social worker, investigator, mediator, therapist, financial advisor, attorney, or guardian ad litem while conducting coordination or facilitation.

Is this process for me/my client?

Parenting coordination is appropriate for high conflict cases dealing with child related issues, such as when:

  • Mediation has not been successful or has been determined by the judge to be inappropriate.

  • A child is denied emotional and/or physical access to a parent or has severely limited parental/guardian contact.

  • There are restrictions on a child’s access to extended family members.

  • There is interference or refusal of access to information about a child’s health, education and welfare.

  • The parents/guardians are unable to agree on substantive issues concerning the child.

  • There is a high rate of re-litigation especially concerning non-legal issues.

  • There has been frequent change in lawyers for the parties.

Parenting coordination is NOT for cases in which it has been determined that the process may compromise the safety of any party, the minor child, or the parenting coordinator.