Legal Insights on Co-Parenting with Attorney Ron Gore

In our recent episode of Co-Parenting Beyond Conflict, I sat down with Oklahoma family attorney Ron Gore, who offered invaluable insights into co-parenting challenges and strategies for legal success. With years of experience as a mediator, parenting coordinator, and guardian ad litem, Ron shared his expertise on fostering better communication and reducing conflict between co-parents.

Focus on Behaviors, Not Labels

One of Ron’s standout messages was the importance of addressing behaviors rather than relying on diagnostic labels like “narcissist” or “borderline.” While these terms are often used in co-parenting disputes, Ron cautioned against their overuse, noting that the court rarely focuses on such labels. Instead, he urged parents to focus on the actionable behaviors that impact their co-parenting relationship and work toward incentivizing positive changes. Ron states:

“Even if your ex actually is a narcissist, if they can learn behaviors that are helpful for co-parenting, then what does it matter? Focus on behaviors—that’s what can be changed.”

The Value of Professional Support

Ron emphasized the importance of professional support for co-parents struggling with emotional or legal complexities. He encouraged parents to seek therapy to gain tools for self-reflection and improved co-parenting communication.

Coparenting therapy services and coparenting support groups can help coparents navigate challenging circumstances. For legal issues, he advised consulting a qualified attorney rather than relying on internet searches or advice from friends, which may be biased or counterproductive. Ron also stressed the importance of documenting agreements properly by filing them with the court to avoid future disputes.

Tools for Communication: BestInterest

A key highlight of the episode was Ron’s endorsement of the BestInterest app, which he recommended to coparents, especially those experiencing high-conflict co-parenting. He praised the app for its ability to filter out emotionally triggering content, allowing users to focus on the substantive aspects of communication. Ron particularly appreciated that the app trains parents to develop healthier communication habits over time, reducing the need for reliance on external tools.

He also noted the app’s unilateral functionality, which allows one parent to use its benefits even if the other parent is not onboard. This unique feature makes BestInterest especially valuable for parents in challenging dynamics. According to Ron, the app empowers users to avoid reactive responses, helping them maintain composure and professionalism in their interactions.

Navigating High-Conflict Co-Parenting

The episode delved into strategies for managing high-conflict co-parenting, including the concept of parallel parenting. Ron explained that while parallel parenting can be effective in cases involving unresolved conflict or a history of abuse, it should be approached carefully and with court approval. He encouraged co-parents to exhaust all efforts to improve their relationship before resorting to this approach.

Practical Tips for New Co-Parents

For parents navigating co-parenting in the early stages, Ron shared three essential pieces of advice:

Build trust and communication: Re-establish trust to create a cooperative dynamic that benefits the child.
Prioritize the child’s needs: Use frameworks like Dr. Robert Emery’s hierarchy of needs for children in two homes to guide decision-making.
Document agreements: Ensure that all arrangements are clearly documented and filed with the court to prevent misunderstandings.

A Must-Listen Episode

This episode of Co-Parenting Beyond Conflict is packed with actionable advice and emotional support for co-parents navigating the challenges of separation and shared parenting. Ron Gore’s expertise, combined with the innovative tools provided by the BestInterest app, offers a roadmap for reducing conflict and fostering healthier co-parenting relationships.

Parents interested in trying the BestInterest app can download it today from the App Store or Play Store and start building a better communication framework for their families.