A parenting coordinator is a neutral third party who helps high-conflict parents carry out a parenting plan without running back to court over every disagreement.
What is a Parenting Coordinator?
A parenting coordinator is usually a therapist, social worker, or attorney who works with both parents to implement an existing custody order and resolve day-to-day disputes. In Bowerman v. Bowerman, 314 Ga. App. 487 (2012), the trial court appointed a licensed marriage and family therapist to serve as parenting coordinator and kept the case open pending her reports.
Georgia Has No Parenting Coordinator Statute
Unlike some states, Georgia has no statute and no uniform court rule creating parenting coordinators or defining what they can do. The position exists by court order or by agreement of the parties. That makes the appointing order itself the only real source of the coordinator’s authority, so read it closely before you agree to one.
A Court Can Appoint One
In Duncan v. Mughelli, 324 Ga. App. 465 (2013), the Court of Appeals upheld the appointment of a parenting coordinator in a contempt case, holding that “[t]he appointment of a parenting coordinator likewise did not affect custody.” A judge can put one in place without that being a modification of custody.
What You Tell the Coordinator Is Not Private
A parenting coordinator can report to the court and testify about what they observe. In Long v. Truex, 349 Ga. App. 875 (2019), the trial court quoted the coordinator’s assessment of a mother’s anger, impulse control, and “distorted view of reality” in its order and relied on it in restricting her visitation.
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This post is a quick overview of the law and is not intended as legal advice. Please feel free to contact our office for a consultation if you have questions about this or any other legal aspects regarding your case!