17th Aug 25 7:28 am
JamieDivorce can be a long and emotionally challenging process for couples, but this fails to address the challenges and struggles that can arise post-divorce. Even if the divorce was mutual, many spouses carry hurt feelings and emotional turmoil, which can exacerbate issues when child custody comes into play. Parents who have separated but must work together to raise a child, sharing parenting costs and splitting parenting time, may have disputes and conflicts over the other’s choices and parenting methods. More conflict can arise if one or both parties fail to comply with the parenting plan ordered by the Colorado family courts.
However, several solutions have helped parents resolve these issues in the past. One of these is parenting coordination. Parenting coordination is a form of mediation that allows a certified individual to step into the conflicts and offer unbiased counsel and advice, helping parents resolve their differences and adhere to the parenting plan. Parenting coordination can help provide accountability and structure for co-parents in a safe and neutral environment that can respect and hear their opinions. Mediation post-divorce can help parents work collaboratively and avoid unnecessary conflict.
A skilled Colorado child custody lawyer from Colorado Divorce Law Group may be able to help evaluate a case a recommend a parenting coordinator. Consider scheduling a consultation today by calling the office at (720) 593-6442 for details.
Parenting coordination is a form of ongoing mediation designed to foster accountability and communication for co-parents who are struggling to implement their court-ordered parenting plan. As such, a parenting coordinator is an equipped and trained individual who can help mediate these disputes and provide unbiased insight and advice to both parties. They must be appointed or approved by the court, and may be available at the request of one or both parties or at the mandate of the courts. Many families choose to voluntarily accept parenting coordination post-divorce to help resolve these conflicts effectively.
Parenting coordination may be restricted to simple mediation for families, as specified by C.R.S. § 14-10-128.1. This may involve presenting an unbiased, third party opinion and assisting parents in navigating their relational challenges. However, in some situations, a parenting coordinator and decision maker may be appointed by the courts. These mediators provide the expected services of a parenting coordinator, but also reserve decision-making authority if co-parents are unable to resolve their differences.
The Colorado courts have a set of standards and expectations for who can qualify as a parenting coordinator. Whether parenting coordination is requested by the parents or mandated by the court, parenting coordinators must adhere to these guidelines and meet certain standards and qualifications. Understanding these expectations can help parents understand what effective and legal parenting coordination should look like.
Parenting coordinations must be carried out by an unbiased third party. As parenting coordination is a form of mediation, these individuals must meet the same expectations and standards as a divorce mediator or other professional. If a parenting coordinator is biased, their personal opinions could shift the dynamic of the relationship and lead to one party or the other being unheard or unfairly treated in post-divorce mediation.
For more information on who could qualify as an unbiased third party in Colorado, speak with an experienced family law attorney from Colorado Divorce Law Group.
A parenting coordinator must also have proper training to offer this service. According to the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, most parenting coordination is carried out by a legal or mental health professional with mediation training. The Colorado courts may nominate this individual from their network of legal and professional contacts, but the parties involved may also be able to request or refer a preferred mediator. Understanding how these mediators are chosen and qualified for parenting coordination may help families understand which mediator is the right fit for their situation.
Parenting coordination post-divorce is generally only necessary if there are either significant conflicts between co-parents or if the individuals are failing to adhere to the court-ordered parenting time schedule and parenting plan. However, parenting coordination may be something that one or both parties are resistant to, or it could be an option for resolution that they are unaware of. Regardless, there are multiple ways that parenting coordination can be initiated in Colorado.
The more straightforward way to initiate parenting coordination is by request. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 14 governs domestic matters, and also states that parenting coordination can be requested by one or both parties. If both parties are in agreement about seeking mediation, the process can be simple. However, there may be additional steps if one party is unwilling. Communicating beforehand and establishing expectations may help couples come to parenting time and mediation decisions post-divorce.
However, some circumstances may warrant court-ordered parenting coordination. If the courts find that parents are unable or unwilling to implement the parenting plan established during the divorce process, they may require these parents to attend parenting coordination sessions. Similar to mandatory divorce mediation, this may provide an additional level of accountability to ensure that the guidelines set by the court are being followed effectively.
Child custody disputes and parenting time conflicts can be a significant challenge for couples post-divorce in Colorado. Navigating complex issues and encountering barriers to communication can be frustrating and emotionally draining. Thankfully, mediation may be able to help navigate and resolve these challenges with a parenting coordinator. Parenting coordination may help provide a safe and effective place to plan and enforce decisions with the help of an unbiased third party. This is one of the reasons that many families choose parenting coordination post-divorce to navigate difficult conversations.
However, finding a skilled parenting coordinator or knowing what to look for in a mediator can be challenging and overwhelming. The legal complexities and hidden challenges or benefits may not be immediately obvious to the observer. This is why skilled legal counsel from Colorado Divorce Law Group could be beneficial to people considering parenting coordination. A seasoned child custody or divorce lawyer can help navigate this process and give sound advice when choosing a parenting coordinator. Consider scheduling an appointment today by calling the office at (720) 593-6442 for more information.
