Parenting Coordination

What is Parenting Coordination?

Parenting coordination is designed to help divorced and separated parents work cooperatively to care for and make decisions affecting their children. Parenting coordination is appropriate for parents experiencing a high level of co-parenting conflict. It is also appropriate for families where there is a need or concern for resolving parenting disputes in a child-focused manner without litigation.

The role of the parenting coordinator is to assist parents with implementing their parenting plan in a way that shields their children from parent conflicts and helps both parents meet their children’s needs. Issues that may be addressed in parenting coordination include time-sharing, holidays, extracurricular activities, special needs, vacations, school related issues, co-parenting communication, and other parenting concerns that may be specific to your family. Parenting coordinators may not substantially or permanently change time-sharing arrangements. Dr. Kelly does not make binding decisions or recommendations to the Court about whether a child will receive a medical treatment.

How do I get started?

Parenting coordination can be initiated by a court order or by an agreement between co-parents.  A specific order designating Dr. Kelly as your parenting coordinator will need to be signed by a judge. Dr. Kelly requires that your order for parenting coordination comports with the Florida Supreme Court, Family Law Forms, Order of Referral to Parenting Coordination. If you or your attorney needs a copy of an acceptable form order, our office can assist you. Our office will need a copy of the Order of Referral to Parenting Coordination signed by your judge before we can schedule your first appointment.

What to expect with Parenting Coordination?

Your first appointment is an individual intake and orientation session. During this session, you will have an opportunity to discuss your questions, concerns, and goals for parenting coordination with Dr. Kelly. Subsequent appointments will be held jointly with your co-parent or individually depending on the issues in your case.

Parenting coordination is not therapy and therefore is not covered by insurance benefits. Dr. Kelly’s current fees for parenting coordination are $250/hour. There is an initial required refundable retainer deposit of $2000. Each parent’s responsibility for payment of Dr. Kelly’s fees and the retainer deposit is determined by the court order for parenting coordination. Payment is required in advance of services being provided.

Parenting coordination appointments are generally scheduled between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday. There is no set rule about the frequency of meetings unless your order of referral to parenting coordination states a requirement. Scheduling is discussed during your parenting coordination meetings to determine the appropriate frequency and length of meetings. The term of Dr. Kelly’s appointment as your parenting coordinator is determined by the order for parenting coordination.