The Role of Parenting Coordinators in a Florida Divorce
When a married couple divorces in Florida while their children are still minors, the main goal of the family court system is to help them continue to have healthy relationships with their children even after the couple is divorced. Ultimately, however, child custody manages to be one of the most contentious issues during a divorce proceeding. In many cases, divorcees will have to litigate the matter in front of a judge if they can’t come to a reasonable agreement on their own. That means that the judge makes the final decision when it comes to custody and visitation.
The Florida courts strongly prefer that parents come to an agreement together. In contested custody cases, parents can request the help of a parenting coordinator. In other cases, the court might assign one to your case. This is to avoid a judge ruling in favor of one party or another which is considered a last resort.
Parenting coordination is a type of alternative dispute resolution that is similar to mediation. In this article, the Tampa, FL divorce lawyers at Westchase Law P.A. will discuss the role of the parenting coordinator in a Florida divorce.
What is parenting coordination?
Parenting coordination is a process in which an impartial third party, appointed by the court, helps divorcing parties implement a parenting plan. This is achieved by facilitating the resolution of disputes between parents. Parenting coordinators provide education for the parties concerning the child’s needs. They make recommendations to the parties, and with the approval of the parties and the court, they can make decisions within the scope of the court appointment.
Parenting coordinators can assist the parties by providing education regarding the developmental needs of their children. This includes the effects of parental separation on family members, co-parenting strategies, and effective parental communication. The parenting coordinator monitors compliance with any established parenting plan and assists the parties in effectively facilitating their time-sharing agreements. Parenting coordinators also use conciliation skills to assist the parties in resolving child-related issues. This, ultimately, reduces the potential for future conflict between the parents.
When do parenting coordinators enter the fray?
Parenting coordinators are useful for remediating high-conflict custody cases. These include cases in which mediation has not been successful or has been determined by a judge to be inappropriate. It is also useful for cases in which a child has been denied emotional or physical access to a parent. Parenting coordinators are highly useful for dealing with situations in which parents cannot agree on major issues concerning the child.
Talk to a Tampa, FL Divorce and Custody Lawyer Today
Westchase Law, P.A. can help you and your family handle high-conflict custody cases. Whether or not a parenting coordinator is appropriate for your case will depend entirely on the circumstances. Our Tampa family lawyers have had broad success helping clients in handling highly contentious issues in mediation. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your interests right away.
