year after year, issue after issue, like two boxing heavyweights. Either a strong psychologist or a highly experienced family law attorney is likely the best choice in this type of a situation to serve as their parent coordinator.
The Role and Authority of Parent Coordinators in Maryland
Be choosy on the issues of (1) whether
to engage the use of a parent coordinator for a particular case, and (2) what role and authority the parent coordinator will have in the case. If the parties con- sent to the use of a parent coordinator, they can also define the scope and role of that individual. If the court is appointing a parent coordinator, the court should be explicit as to the role and scope of the authority of the parent coordinator. Be wary that all cases are not made
for parent coordinators. Occasionally, while it may appear on the surface that a parent coordinator is a wise invest-
ment, one of the parties could use the parent coordinator as a weapon against the other by constantly raising minor or insignificant issues to keep the parties engaged in parent coordination, primar- ily to harass the other parent or to force the other parent to spend money on the process for no good reason. If that hap- pens, there should be a mechanism for the aggrieved party to petition the court to address the issue. The parent coordinator should clearly
understand, by way of a court order, all of the categories of issues that the parent coordinator may address. The parent coordinator also needs to know what topics should not be the subject of parent coordination.
The Sample Parent Coordinator Order
Below is a sample parent coordi-
nator order. I have seen at least six different models used by different courts throughout Maryland. Certain parent
coordinators prefer using their own specific model and parenting coordina- tor order, instead of the court issuing a generalized order. The purpose of providing the below order is to point out the essential elements of the parent coordinator order. Parent coordinators often have the parties execute a separate written agreement, as well, which is not reprinted below, as they vary greatly from coordinator to coordinator.
ORDER APPOINTING PARENT COORDINATOR
The parties having agreed to the ap- pointment of a Parenting Coordinator and the Court having determined that the appointment of a Parenting Coordinator is appropriate and in the best interests of the child(ren) herein, it is the______ day of____________, 2007 by the Circuit Court for______ __________, Maryland
ORDERED that: APPOINTMENT:
1.__________________________ whose address is ________________ ____________ and whose telephone number is ______________________is appointed as Parenting Coordinator. The parties shall contact the Parenting Coordinator within fifteen (15) calen- dar days from the date of this Order to schedule the first appointment and to sign any documents necessary to carry out the purpose of this Order, includ- ing but not limited to the Parenting Coordinator’s Agreement.
2. This appointment is based upon the training and expertise of the Parenting Coordinator as an experienced profes- sional who has specialized training in parenting coordination or mediation. The parties shall pay the Parenting Co- ordinator the agreed professional fees.
3. The Parenting Coordinator shall make decisions resolving only conflicts between the parents which do not affect the court’s exclusive jurisdiction to de-
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