Parenting Coordination

Parenting coordination is a non-adversarial dispute resolution process that is court ordered or agreed upon by the parties.  The purpose of parenting coordination is to provide a child-focused process in which a parenting coordinator assists parents in creating or implementing a parenting plan by facilitating the resolution of disputes between the parents by providing education, making recommendations, and, with the prior approval of the parents and the court, making limited decisions within the scope of the court’s order of referral.  See section, 61.125 Florida Statutes.

In any action in which a judgment or order has been sought or entered adopting, establishing, or modifying a parenting plan, except for a domestic violence proceeding under chapter 741, and upon agreement of the parties, the court’s own motion, or the motion of a party, the court may appoint a parenting coordinator and refer the parties to parenting coordination to assist in the resolution of disputes concerning their parenting plan.

Parenting coordinators are subject to ethical standards and a discipline process under the Rules for Qualified and Court-Appointed Parenting Coordinators.  In 2016, the Court established the Parenting Coordinator Review Board to perform investigate and adjudicate complaints filed against parenting coordinators. 

There is no Supreme Court of Florida certification for parenting coordinators.  Parenting coordinators are qualified by the local circuits to serve.  Every two years, qualified parenting coordinators must renew their qualification(s), which includes completing 16 hours of continuing parenting coordinator education (CPCE).