3. Get help from a parenting coordinator
Question & Answer
My child doesn’t want to visit my partner. What should I do?A parenting coordinator is an ADR process where a neutral person helps parents resolve issues about their parenting arrangements or parenting orders. They have special training on:
- how to deal with high conflict parents
- how to understand the needs of children
- how to help each partner communicate on parenting issues
Parenting coordinators usually get involved when there is a , or , or that is not being followed. They can help you and your partner follow your agreement or court order instead of going back to court.
Parenting coordinators can meet with you and your partner, your children, and anyone else they think can help the family. They can help you and your partner:
- develop problem-solving and communication skills
- follow parenting plans in your agreement or court order
- resolve conflicts that come up about the parenting plan
If you and your partner reach an agreement, the parenting coordinator will often write up a document saying what was agreed on. This is sometimes an informal email or can be a more formal document called “” or a “memorandum of understanding”.
Before you start, you and your partner can decide whether you want the parenting coordinator to have the ability to make a final decision if you both can’t agree.
In family law you must think about using (ADR) or a family dispute resolution process to resolve your issues out of court if it’s suitable for you. ADR might not be right for you if:
- one person is afraid of another person because there is a history of family violence
- there are serious mental health or drug abuse issues
