Difference between revisions of "Parenting Coordination"
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
Parenting coordination uses aspects of mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes about parenting | Parenting coordination uses aspects of mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes about parenting, once the parties have reached a final order or agreement dealing with parenting arrangements and contact. Parenting coordination is only useful for parents who seem to always find themselves arguing about parenting despite their order or agreement. Parenting coordination is not for people who don't argue about parenting or who are able to resolve their disagreements without intervention. | ||
Parenting coordinators are family law lawyers, mediators and arbitrators, counsellors, social workers and psychologists with special training in mediation, arbitration, parenting coordination, family violence, communication skills development, and high-conflict family dynamics, as required by the [http://canlii.ca/t/8rdx Family Law Act Regulation]. Parenting coordinators are hired on a long term-basis, for renewable terms of between six months to two years. | Parenting coordinators are family law lawyers, mediators and arbitrators, counsellors, social workers and psychologists with special training in mediation, arbitration, parenting coordination, family violence, communication skills development, and high-conflict family dynamics, as required by the [http://canlii.ca/t/8rdx Family Law Act Regulation]. Parenting coordinators are hired on a long term-basis, for renewable terms of between six months to two years. | ||
Once a parenting coordinator has been retained, either parent may ask the parenting coordinator to resolve a dispute. The parent with the concern will contact the parenting coordinator and explain the problem and his or her preferred solution. The parenting coordinator will discuss the problem with the other parent to get his or her perspective on the issue and will then work with both parents to find a resolution everyone can agree to. | Once a parenting coordinator has been retained, either parent may ask the parenting coordinator to resolve a dispute. The parent with the concern will contact the parenting coordinator and explain the problem and his or her preferred solution. The parenting coordinator will discuss the problem with the other parent to get his or her perspective on the issue and will then work with both parents to find a resolution everyone can agree to. However, if the parents can't reach agreement or if the issue is very urgent, the parenting coordinator may arbitrate the dispute and impose a resolution. This process repeats whenever a new issue arises that needs to be resolved. | ||
Parenting coordinators and the parenting coordination process are governed by the ''[[Family Law Act]]'', the [http://canlii.ca/t/8rdx Family Law Act Regulation] and the codes of conduct and practice standards established by any practice group a parenting coordinator may belong to, such as the [http://www.bcparentingcoordinators.com/ BC Parenting Coordinators Roster Society]. | Parenting coordinators and the parenting coordination process are governed by the ''[[Family Law Act]]'', the [http://canlii.ca/t/8rdx Family Law Act Regulation] and the codes of conduct and practice standards established by any practice group a parenting coordinator may belong to, such as the [http://www.bcparentingcoordinators.com/ BC Parenting Coordinators Roster Society]. | ||
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*the arrangements for a special event, | *the arrangements for a special event, | ||
*the distribution of a child's clothing and toys between homes, | |||
*where a child will go to school, | *where a child will go to school, | ||
*the child's need for counselling, therapy, or tutoring, and | *the child's need for counselling, therapy, or tutoring, and | ||
*the child's participation in sports and other extracurricular activities. | *the child's participation in sports and other extracurricular activities. | ||
Parenting coordination also tries to address some of the problems that contribute to the parties' disagreements. This might include helping the parties to work on how they communicate with each other or how they manage conflict, or it might include helping the parties understand how their children experience their conflict. | Parenting coordination also tries to address some of the problems that contribute to the parties' disagreements. This might include helping the parties to work on how they communicate with each other or how they manage conflict, or it might include helping the parties better understand how their children experience their conflict. | ||
===What parenting coordination might deal with=== | ===What parenting coordination might deal with=== | ||
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*determining the amount of each parent's contribution to the children's special expenses. | *determining the amount of each parent's contribution to the children's special expenses. | ||
Many parenting coordinators won't address these issues. The parenting coordinators most likely to agree to address issues like these are | Many parenting coordinators won't address these issues. The parenting coordinators most likely to agree to address issues like these are parenting coordinators who are also family law lawyers. | ||
===What parenting coordination won't deal with=== | ===What parenting coordination won't deal with=== | ||
Parenting coordinators cannot assist with any subjects that are expressly excluded by an order or a parenting coordination agreement. | Parenting coordinators cannot assist with any subjects that are expressly excluded by an order or a parenting coordination agreement. As well, parenting coordinators cannot deal with: | ||
As well, parenting coordinators cannot deal with: | |||
*the division or possession of property or the division of debt, | *the division or possession of property or the division of debt, | ||
* | *appointing or removing a guardian of a child, | ||
*changes to the allocation of parental responsibilities, | *changes to the allocation of parental responsibilities between guardians, | ||
*giving parenting time or contact to a person who does not have parenting time or contact, | *giving parenting time or contact to a person who does not have parenting time or contact, | ||
*substantial changes to parenting time or contact, and | *substantial changes to parenting time or contact, and | ||