Support in Childcare Coordination
Summit County Domestic Relations Court deals with cases involving parties with children, whether they are divorcing or unmarried. Custody and parenting time are significant concerns, and the court aims to help parents make decisions in the best interest of their children.
For some parents, further assistance may be required even after the court process ends. Those who struggle to resolve issues positively may be referred to a Parent Coordinator for decision-making support.
What is a Parent Coordinator?
Qualified impartial professionals, known as “parenting coordinators,” assist parties with the implementation of parental rights and responsibilities or companionship time orders.
As a result, parties minimize court involvement with parenting issues. Parties also learn communication and negotiation skills necessary to prevent and resolve future disputes.
As per Sup. R. 90.05, the requirements for individuals include:
• A master’s degree or higher, law degree, or education and experience satisfactory to the court or division.
• At least two years of professional experience with situations involving children or other relevant experience satisfactory to the court or division.
• Completion of 78 hours of mediation training, specializing in Family Law matters.
(See Sup. R. 90.01; supra note 3).
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Parent Coordinator?
Parent Coordinators are independent private contractors who charge an hourly rate. Cost may range from $125 – $350 per hour.
Find more information on our Parent Coordination Fact Sheet
The court may order parenting coordination when the court or division determines one or more of the following factors are present:
(A) The parties have ongoing disagreements about the implementation of a parental rights and responsibilities or companionship time order and need ongoing assistance;
(B) There is a history of extreme or ongoing parental conflict that has been unresolved by previous litigation or other interventions and from which a child of the parties is adversely affected;
(C) The parties have a child whose parenting time schedule requires frequent adjustments, specified in an order of the court or division, to maintain age appropriate contact with both parties, and the parties have been previously unable to reach agreements on their parenting time schedule without intervention by the court or division;
(D) The parties have a child with a medical or psychological condition or disability that requires frequent decisions regarding treatment or frequent adjustments in the parenting time schedule, specified in an order of the court or division, and the parties have been previously unable to reach agreements on their parenting time schedule without intervention by the court or division;
(E) One or both parties suffer from a medical or psychological condition or disability that results in an inability to reach agreements on or make adjustments in their parenting time schedule without assistance, even when minor in nature;
(F) Any other factor as determined by the court or division.
Parent Coordination cannot be used to: Grant, modify, or terminate a protection order; Chang custody Change the primary placement of a child.