High-conflict custody cases often require more than a court order.
Parent coordination is a court-authorized process designed to assist parents in implementing custody orders, resolving ongoing disputes, reducing conflict, and promoting stability for children.
When conflict continues after entry of a custody order, a Parent Coordinator (“PC”) may be appointed to help parents address day-to-day disagreements without repeated court intervention — particularly when obtaining a court date may take months.
The Role of a Parent Coordinator
A Parent Coordinator works with parents — and, when appropriate, professionals such as mental health providers, schools, or medical providers — to:
Appointment and Authority
A Parent Coordinator may be appointed by agreement of the parents or by court order. In high-conflict matters — including cases involving repeated litigation, persistent communication breakdown, or ongoing hostility — a court may determine that appointment of a Parent Coordinator serves the child’s best interests.
The appointment order defines:
If a party believes a decision exceeds the PC’s authority or is otherwise inappropriate, the court retains the ability to review that decision.
When Parent Coordination May Help
Parent coordination is often beneficial when:
It is a structured process intended to provide timely, child-focused resolution of recurring issues and to reduce the need for continued litigation.
Our Approach
Maria Hawkins is a certified Parent Coordinator. She approaches this role with neutrality, thoughtful judgment, and a focus on practical solutions that reduce conflict and protect children from continued parental discord.
Fit and temperament matter in parent coordination. The process works best when expectations are clear and the focus remains on long-term stability for the children. Maria works collaboratively with parents and their counsel to determine whether parent coordination is an appropriate fit for the family.
