Moving out before you formalize a separation agreement with your spouse could jeopardize your financial portfolio and your rights to...
A parenting coordinator is a neutral third party who helps separated or divorcing parents implement an existing parenting plan. In most cases, they step in when parents agree on the big picture but continue clashing over day-to-day details. For instance, a parenting coordinator might help with ongoing parental disputes about:
Going through a high-conflict divorce is stressful, especially when children are involved. Parenting coordinators can help parents protect the best interests of the child during a stressful and emotional time.
While not legally required, working with a parenting coordinator in Nova Scotia can be a great option in high-conflict divorces. Parenting coordination tends to work best for parents who:
Parenting coordination can be a great option, but it’s not right for every situation. Although some parenting coordinators are family lawyers, they do not create parenting plans. As a result, they don’t generally deal with child or spousal support issues or property division.
It’s also typically not the right tool for parents still negotiating the terms of parenting time or decision-making. In those cases, mediation, negotiation, or working through the courts is a better choice.
The role of a parenting coordinator is fairly narrow. They help parents reduce conflict while living out an agreement that’s already been made.
Most parenting coordination arrangements in Nova Scotia are set up by agreement between the parents. The family court does not order parents to work with a parenting coordinator.
The process typically involves:
It’s very important to have a clear agreement. A vague or poorly-worded agreement can create new disputes about what the coordinator is even allowed to decide. A good Halifax family lawyer can help you draft or review your participation agreement before you sign.
Mediation typically helps parents build an agreement. Parenting coordination helps parents carry out an agreement they already have. Mediation is also usually a one-time or short-term process. Parenting coordination is ongoing, often lasting a year or more, because it’s built to handle disputes as they come up.
Costs vary depending on the coordinator’s background, training, and how the fee structure is set out in the participation agreement. Some parenting coordinators are family lawyers and some are mental health professionals with specialized training. Some charge hourly while others use a retainer model. All of these variables can affect the cost of your specific parenting coordination agreement. Because the arrangement can run for months or years, it’s worth discussing the fee structure up front with your lawyer before you sign anything.
At The Riley Divorce and Family Law Firm, we understand that divorce can change almost every part of your day-to-day life. Many of our clients get stuck in a cycle of small but constant disputes over existing parenting plans. Too often, they don’t know that resources are available to help them. A parenting coordinator can offer a faster, less adversarial alternative to repeated court appearances.
Parenting coordination in Nova Scotia is typically arranged by agreement rather than automatically ordered by a court. So scheduling a conversation with us is a great first step. Working with a Halifax family lawyer can help you:
The key is setting up the arrangement carefully from the start. Make sure it actually works for your family situation. The participation agreement is what determines whether the process reduces conflict or just adds another layer to it. Contact us to discuss your options. We can help.
A: A parenting coordinator helps separated or divorcing parents put an existing parenting plan or court order into practice. Instead of creating new custody terms, they resolve the day-to-day disagreements that come up. They commonly address issues like: scheduling changes, holiday logistics, or disputes about a child’s activities. Working with a parenting coordinator allows parents to avoid going back to court every time a small conflict arises.
A: A mediator typically helps parents build an agreement from scratch, usually over a short, defined process. A parenting coordinator helps parents carry out an agreement that’s already in place, often over an extended period, stepping in whenever new disputes come up. Both a mediator and parenting coordinator are neutral parties. A family lawyer represents one parent’s legal interests and can advise on rights and options.
A: Yes. Parenting coordination in Nova Scotia is generally set up by agreement between parents rather than automatically ordered by a court. A family lawyer’s help is often the practical first step. They can:
A: Costs vary based on the coordinator’s background and how their fees are structured. Some parenting coordinators charge hourly while others work on a retainer. Because the arrangement can run for a year or more, the participation agreement should set out clearly how fees are calculated and split between parents. It’s worth reviewing this with your lawyer before signing. A poorly defined fee arrangement can become its own source of conflict later on.
The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm
