These professionals are part of the BestInterest Professionals Network.

Parenting coordinators (PCs) are neutral professionals who assist co-parents in managing disputes, implementing parenting plans, and making day-to-day decisions that prioritize the well-being of the child. Often court-appointed or voluntarily agreed upon by parents, parenting coordinators are particularly helpful in high-conflict situations, ensuring that co-parenting remains focused, structured, and less contentious.

What Does a Parenting Coordinator Do?

Facilitates Communication: PCs help parents communicate effectively to resolve disagreements and reduce misunderstandings.
Implements Parenting Plans: They assist in enforcing existing custody agreements and creating actionable solutions when disputes arise.
Mediates Disputes: PCs work to resolve conflicts before they escalate, keeping parents out of court whenever possible.
Focuses on the Child’s Needs: Their primary role is to prioritize the emotional and physical well-being of the children involved.
Provides Education: PCs often teach conflict resolution skills, co-parenting strategies, and techniques for improving communication.

When Should You Consider a Parenting Coordinator?

A parenting coordinator might be the right fit if:

There is frequent conflict or inability to agree on parenting decisions.
Custody agreements are not being followed or are unclear.
You need a neutral party to mediate and enforce decisions.
Your co-parenting dynamic is causing stress or impacting your child’s well-being.
The court has recommended or mandated the involvement of a PC.

How Parenting Coordinators Use BestInterest With Their Clients

Parenting coordinators work at the intersection of structure, communication, and conflict management. Their goal is to help co-parents implement parenting plans consistently, reduce unnecessary disputes, and keep the focus on the child’s well-being. BestInterest gives PCs a powerful set of tools to support these goals—both during sessions and in the day-to-day communication that happens between them.

Here are the most common ways parenting coordinators integrate BestInterest into their work:

Improving Day-to-Day Communication:

Because Message Shield filters out harmful language and reframes reactive messages, parents communicate more calmly and clearly. This allows PCs to work with clients who are less overwhelmed and more open to problem-solving.

Supporting Consistency With Parenting Plans:

PCs often recommend BestInterest to ensure communication stays organized and predictable. The app helps parents follow plan requirements—such as sharing updates, coordinating schedules, or discussing child-related decisions—without the emotional volatility that often derails progress.

Reducing Escalations and Emergency Calls:

Parenting coordinators frequently deal with repeated crises triggered by communication breakdowns. With moderated messaging, those crises decrease significantly. Parents can process issues more rationally, and PCs spend less time managing avoidable conflicts.

Providing Clear, Neutral Documentation:

Verified message reports give parenting coordinators a reliable, court-friendly record of parental communication. These reports help PCs understand what happened between sessions and make informed recommendations or decisions when necessary.

Teaching and Reinforcing Better Communication Habits:

PCs often coach parents on how to communicate in a neutral, child-focused way. BestInterest’s Tone Guardian and Coparent Coach help clients practice these skills every day, turning insights from sessions into consistent habits.

Supporting Decision-Making in High-Conflict Cases:

When parenting coordinators are empowered to make binding decisions (as allowed in some jurisdictions), having a full, accurate communication record helps them determine what is reasonable, what has been attempted, and what solution serves the child best.

Creating a Safer Framework for Parallel Parenting:

For parents who cannot co-parent collaboratively, PCs often transition them into a parallel-parenting structure. BestInterest supports this approach by minimizing unnecessary contact and ensuring communication remains strictly logistical.

Helping Parents Maintain Boundaries:

Tools like Smart Silence and message moderation help enforce healthy boundaries PCs set during sessions—reducing late-night messages, harassment, or attempts to draw the other parent into conflict.

What Makes a Good Parenting Coordinator?

Relevant Credentials: Look for professionals certified as parenting coordinators, mediators, or trained in family law or counseling.
Experience in High-Conflict Dynamics: They should have a track record of managing contentious situations and working with challenging personalities.
Neutrality and Impartiality: A good PC remains unbiased, ensuring both parents feel heard and respected.
Child-Centered Approach: They must focus on the child’s best interests in every decision.
Strong Communication Skills: PCs need to de-escalate tension and facilitate productive discussions.

Questions to Ask a Potential Parenting Coordinator

Before selecting a parenting coordinator, ask these key questions:

What is your training and experience in parenting coordination? Look for certifications and specific experience in family law or high-conflict co-parenting.
How do you handle high-conflict cases? Ask about their strategies for managing difficult dynamics and personalities.
What is your process for resolving disputes? Ensure their approach aligns with your needs, whether it involves mediation, decision-making, or teaching skills.
How do you prioritize the child’s well-being? Ask for examples of how they’ve successfully focused on children’s needs in past cases.
What is your communication style? Make sure their style works for both you and your co-parent.
What are your fees and billing practices? Understand their pricing structure, including hourly rates and additional costs. Do they charge for emails?

Are you a Parenting Coordinator? Consider joining our Network of Recommended Coparenting Professionals.

Take back control of your co-parenting communication.