Following separation, parties are faced with many decisions about their children, including how they will divide their time between homes, how important decisions will be decided and how the smaller things are communicated.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia determines disputes about parenting arrangements and issues by considering a list of objectives and principles that result in outcomes that are in the best interests of the children.

Parenting Co-ordination

Parental conflict and poor communication can undermine the implementation of parenting plans, agreements and orders.

Often, new arrangements will require adjustments for all family members and can be a source of real conflict. Parenting co-ordination is a dispute resolution process intended to help high-conflict parents implement their parenting orders or agreements in a way that minimises conflict and fosters their child’s best interests.

A parenting co-ordinator may be appointed by way of court orders or by agreement between parties. Parenting Co-ordinators work alongside parents to help them implement arrangements for their children in a way that promotes healthy communication and avoids conflict.

Parenting Co-ordinators cannot impose a decision but will work with parents to remove obstacles to healthy communication and to suggest tools and techniques to ensure parenting orders are implemented in a way that promotes the wellbeing of their children. Some common elements that may be included in parenting co-ordination are liaising collaboratively with the medical, legal or mental health professionals involved with a family, using dispute resolution techniques to assist parents to resolve disputes and helping parents to access additional supports where necessary, for example parenting apps or therapeutic interventions.

Ultimately, with the assistance of a parenting co-ordinator parents can establish healthy co-parenting arrangements. Conflicts that previously may have led to further litigation become manageable. The ultimate goal is to give parents the tools to move away from the necessity for lawyer led negotiations or court intervention.

At Empower Family Law & Mediation we are trained parenting co-ordinators.

Contact us today if you would like to discuss seeking the appointment of a parenting co-oridinator to assist you and your former partner to implement a parenting agreement.

From your very first conference with us you will know where you stand, what your options are and what to expect.

That is why your first 30-minute consultation with us is FREE.

Let us be your voice in troubled times.

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Binding Financial Agreements

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Your first consultation

At your first appointment we will listen to your instructions and provide our legal advice on your rights, entitlements and options for settlement.
You will leave your appointment with a thorough understanding of your options, your costs and what to expect from us.

From then on and throughout our work with you, we will communicate with you regularly.
We will address your questions and concerns promptly, with sound advice and understanding.
We’ll be your voice in troubled times.

If you have received a letter from another lawyer or been served Court documents, you should provide them to us in advance so we can prepare for our appointment with you.
If you are seeing us about property or financial matters, it helps to have a list of your assets, liabilities and superannuation.
If you are seeing us about parenting or grandparenting matters, it helps us to know the names and dates of birth of your children and what their current living arrangements are.
If there are urgent circumstances, for example you suspect your ex-partner will abscond with your children or is taking steps to sell or transfer assets, you should let us know so we can commence acting immediately.