In most cases, the attorneys involved in your divorce or child custody case will refer you to a specific Parent Coordinator from our group. However, you are encouraged to take an active role in this decision. Review the profiles of our Parent Coordinators to learn about their professional backgrounds, areas of expertise, and approach to conflict resolution. Select the individual you feel would best align with your parenting needs and share your choice with your attorney. This ensures you are matched with a Parent Coordinator you feel confident and comfortable working with.

The role of a Parent Coordinator is inherently complex. They are tasked with making decisions that significantly impact both parents and the child. Because Parent Coordinators are often engaged when parents are in high conflict, it is inevitable that some decisions may align more closely with one parent’s perspective than the other. This dynamic is similar to what occurs when disputes are left to a judge to resolve.

The best approach is to openly communicate your beliefs, reasons, and concerns to your Parent Coordinator, helping them fully understand your perspective on the parenting dispute. While it is natural to feel frustrated if a decision does not go "your way," the goal of the Parent Coordinator is always to act in the best interests of the child.

If, however, both parents agree that the Parent Coordinator is not a good fit for your family, you have options. You may select a different Parent Coordinator within our group or choose to terminate the contract entirely. Your ability to make a change ensures that the process remains as constructive and beneficial as possible.

Parent Coordinators operate strictly within the authority granted to them in the Stipulated Order for Parent Coordinator. This authority can range from making decisions about day-to-day matters, such as bedtimes, diet, and placement exchanges, to significant issues like the child’s school or whether the child should attend counseling. The scope of the Parent Coordinator’s authority is determined by the parents at the beginning of the process and outlined in the stipulated agreement.

It is important to note that Parent Coordinators lack the ability to enforce their own decisions. If a decision needs enforcement, the parent seeking enforcement can submit the decision to the Court for confirmation. Once confirmed by the Court, enforcement options, known as contempt remedies, become available. These remedies may include loss of certain privileges related to the child, payment of attorney fees for the aggrieved parent, or, in the most serious cases, jail time.

Enforcement remedies are only applicable to decisions made by Parent Coordinators in the Coach or Arbitral roles. A Parent Coordinator Consultant does not issue binding decisions but instead provides recommendations and suggestions to the parents, leaving the ultimate resolution to the parents themselves.

Yes, we provide Parent Coordinator services throughout Wisconsin. Most of our interactions take place via telephone calls, Zoom meetings, and email correspondence, making our services accessible and convenient for families statewide. However, when necessary, we are happy to meet in person with parents—and, when appropriate, their children—to address the more impactful decisions regarding their care and well-being.

At this time, we do not offer Parent Coordinator services beyond Wisconsin.

Each Parent Coordinator will provide their direct email address. Additionally, you are welcome to work directly with your Parent Coordinator to schedule calls or meetings as needed. We strive to make communication as straightforward and accessible as possible to ensure timely resolutions.

No, the other parent does not need to be present every time you communicate with the Parent Coordinator. You may speak directly with your Parent Coordinator to share your perspective on the issue at hand. However, in most cases, the Parent Coordinator will request that any email communication is copied to the other parent, allowing both parents the opportunity to provide input and respond in a timely manner.

DescriptioIn most cases, yes. Parent Coordinators prioritize understanding each parent’s perspective before issuing any decisions. If one parent, however, fails to respond or participate by a deadline set by the Parent Coordinator, the decision may be made without that input once the deadline has passed.

In rare situations where there is an imminent need, the Parent Coordinator may make a decision without prior input from both parents. It’s important to note, however, that emergencies—such as those involving urgent safety or medical issues—are not within the scope of Parent Coordinator services. Such situations are best addressed by law enforcement, urgent medical services, or consulting with your attorney.n goes here

It depends on the nature of the parenting dispute. For example:

Educational Disputes: If the issue relates to your child’s education, the Parent Coordinator may seek input from current and past teachers, guidance counselors, and possibly therapists working with your child. This helps ensure a well-rounded perspective when making decisions.

Medical Decisions: For disputes involving medical matters, the Parent Coordinator may review relevant medical records or request that parents sign a release to speak directly with the child’s treating medical provider.

Generally, the more significant the decision, the more likely the Parent Coordinator will reach out to professionals or other individuals who interact with your child. Depending on the child’s age, this may also include a meeting with the child to understand their thoughts and feelings. This comprehensive approach ensures that decisions are informed and prioritize the child’s best interests.

Yes, in many cases the Parent Coordinator can increase a parent’s placement time, provided the change does not substantially alter the underlying placement order. Examples of such adjustments include:

Additional vacation days.

Extended holiday periods.

After-school care arrangements.

If a parent seeks a substantial increase in placement time, only a Parent Coordinator with Arbitral authority can make this change. This scenario often arises when a parent is required to meet specific criteria—such as completing AODA counseling, drug testing, therapy, or other behavioral benchmarks—before additional placement periods are granted.

To ensure the Parent Coordinator has the authority to make significant changes to placement periods, it’s essential to align the custody and placement provisions in the legal order with the Parent Coordinator’s role. We strongly recommend consulting with the attorneys representing the parents in the underlying custody action. We are happy to collaborate with your attorney to ensure the judgment or legal order reflects the appropriate authority for the Parent Coordinator.

If parents cannot resolve a parenting dispute on their own and do not have a Parent Coordinator, their only recourse is to seek resolution through the Courts. While the legal system can address these disputes, the process is often time-consuming, complex, and costly. Here’s what parents can expect:

Filing a Motion

A parent must either navigate the legal system independently or hire an attorney to draft and file the appropriate motion to bring the dispute before the Court.

The motion must outline the issue at hand and the relief being sought.

Serving the Motion

Once the motion is filed, the parent must serve the other parent with notice of the motion and the scheduled hearing date. Proper service is a legal requirement and must be completed correctly to move forward.

Hearing Before a Court Commissioner

The initial hearing will typically be held in front of a Court Commissioner.

At the hearing, both parents will present their arguments and evidence. The parent must be prepared to understand and navigate the legal process, as well as articulate their case effectively.

After hearing both sides, the Court Commissioner will issue a decision.

De Novo Hearing

If either parent disagrees with the Court Commissioner’s decision, they can request a de novo hearing, meaning the issue will be reheard by a judge.

This step requires additional time and preparation, as the judge will review the matter independently of the Commissioner’s decision.

Timeframe

From the filing of the motion to a final decision by the judge, this process can take several months. During this time, the parenting dispute remains unresolved, which can add stress and uncertainty for both parents and the child.

Avoiding the Litigation Process with a Parent Coordinator
Engaging a Parent Coordinator provides a far more efficient and cost-effective alternative to resolving disputes. With a Parent Coordinator:

Decisions can often be made quickly, avoiding the lengthy delays of the court system.

The process is significantly less expensive than hiring attorneys and going through multiple hearings.

Parents retain a sense of control and collaboration, as they work with a professional focused solely on the well-being of the child.