Pre-Trial Alternatives, LLC

Parenting is difficult under the best of conditions, but is especially challenging after divorce. It is never too early or too late to learn more about co-parenting and step-parenting.  Parent Coordinators are sometimes appointed to help resolve minor post-judgment disputes without going back to court.

Parent Coordinator Guidelines A Parent Coordinator is also sometimes called a Facilitator, Implementer, Special Master, or other title.  A Parent Coordinator assists the parties in reducing harmful conflict and in promoting the best interests of the children consistent with the following roles and functions: A.   A PC serves an assessment function. The PC should review the custody evaluation, other relevant records, interim or final court orders, information from interviews with parents and children and other collateral sources, domestic violence protection orders, and any other applicable cases involving criminal assault, domestic violence or child abuse, educational records, and analyze the impasses and issues as brought forth by the parties. B.   A PC serves an educational function. The PC should educate the parties about child development, divorce research, the impact of their behavior on the children, parenting skills, and communication and conflict resolution skills. The PC may coach the parties about these issues. C.   A PC serves a coordination/case management function. The PC should work with the professionals and systems involved with the family (e.g. mental health, health care, social services, education, legal) as well as with extended family, stepparents, and significant others. D.   A PC serves a conflict management function. The PC's primary role is to assist the parties to work out disagreements regarding the children to minimize conflict. The PC may utilize dispute resolution skills from principles and practices of negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. To assist the parents in reducing conflict, the PC may monitor the faxed, emailed, or written exchanges of parent communications and suggest more productive forms of communication that limit conflict between the parents. In order to protect the parties and children in domestic violence cases involving power, control and coercion, a PC should tailor the techniques used so as to avoid offering the opportunity for further coercion. E.   A PC serves a decision-making function. When parents are not able to decide or resolve disputes on their own, the PC shall be empowered to make decisions to the extent described in the court order, or to make reports or recommendations to the court for further consideration. PCs should communicate their decisions in a timely manner in person or by fax, e-mail or telephone. In the event decisions are provided orally, a written version shall follow in a timely manner. F.   A PC shall not offer legal advice.  Contact us to find out more about procedure to get a facilitator appointed, fees, and services provided.