Parenting Coordinator &
Decision-Maker (PC/DM)
Resolving Co-Parenting Disputes and
Protecting Your Child’s Peace
Even after a divorce or custody case is finalized, the challenges of co-parenting can continue. When co-parents share joint decision-making authority, disagreements over a child’s medical care, education, or extracurricular activities are inevitable. However, when those disagreements turn into chronic, high-conflict disputes, it can cause severe emotional strain on the family and be detrimental to the child's well-being.
You do not have to return to a courtroom every time you and your co-parent reach an impasse. As a court-appointed Parenting Coordinator and Decision-Maker (PC/DM), my role is to help families navigate ongoing disagreements, improve their co-parenting communication, and, when necessary, make binding decisions so your child can thrive in a stable environment.
What is a PC/DM?
Using a PC/DM is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The ultimate goal is to resolve co-parenting conflicts efficiently and amicably without the stress, expense, and delay of litigation.
While the roles are often combined into one professional, they function in two distinct phases:
1. The Parenting Coordinator (PC) Role As a Parenting Coordinator, I act as a neutral mediator. I work directly with both parents to facilitate healthy discussions, clarify misunderstandings, and help you reach mutually satisfactory agreements regarding your parenting plan. The goal is to build a stronger, functional co-parenting relationship for the future, teaching you how to resolve conflicts independently.
2. The Decision-Maker (DM) Role If a compromise simply cannot be reached despite our best mediation efforts, the Decision-Maker function is triggered. In this role, I possess the binding legal authority to make a final decision on the disputed matter (such as which school a child will attend or a specific healthcare choice). This decision is legally binding and filed with the court, ensuring the dispute is resolved promptly and fairly.
The Benefits of Using a PC/DM
Navigating the new normal of co-parenting is difficult, but chronic fighting does not have to be your family's reality. Engaging a PC/DM offers several profound benefits for high-conflict situations:
Child-Centered Focus: It shields children from the harmful fallout of ongoing parental conflict, keeping the focus entirely on their best interests.
Cost & Time Efficiency: It provides a much faster and more cost-effective resolution than filing motions and waiting months for a judge to hear your case.
Reduced Litigation: It keeps your family out of the courtroom, allowing you to resolve disputes in a more private, controlled, and flexible environment.
Appointments & Referrals
Please note: While a Parenting Coordinator (PC) can be appointed by the court without parental consent, a Decision-Maker (DM) cannot be appointed without the mutual consent of both parents, as it involves delegating parental rights.
If you are an attorney seeking a PC/DM referral for a high-conflict case, or a parent looking to establish a healthier co-parenting dynamic, please contact the office to discuss my availability and how I can help your family find a path forward.