Parenting Coordination is a program that allows parents to meet with a trained parenting coordinator to discuss, mediate and resolve issues of shared parenting. Topics such as visitation scheduling and conflict reduction are typically covered during sessions. Parties may meet several times with a parenting coordinator to develop and implement shared parenting concepts and a parenting plan.

Goal: It is the program’s goal to help parents adapt to the difficulties of coparenting children when the family no longer lives together. The program is designed to promote cooperative decision making between both parents and to eventually establish an environment where parents can resolve problems without the assistance of a parenting coordinator.

Role of The Parenting Coordinator

The parenting coordinator is there to help parents develop and/or fine tune their parenting plan. The Parenting Coordinator will assist in dispute resolution and educate both parties on the skills needed to resolve issues and avoid conflicts that arise from their specific circumstances. If the parties are unable to come to an agreement on issues, then the parenting coordinator can act as an arbitrator to try new methods to improve their coparenting skills.

Scheduling

The parenting coordinator will schedule an initial meeting with the parents. The “intake” session is often conducted individually and at different times. The frequency and times of subsequent meetings will be determined by the parenting coodinator and the parties. Sessions are usually scheduled one to two hours in length.

Child Care

Please do not bring children to the Parenting Coordination session. The Orange County Courthouse offers a free child care service called, A Place For Children. It is located in room 270 and is available for families with official court business. For additional information on this licensed drop-in child care center, call 407-836-2108.

Cost

The charge for Parenting Coordination is $80 per hour paid by the parent who is scheduled to attend. If both parents are scheduled, the cost will be divided between the parents. If the children meet with the parenting coordinator, the cost for that time will also be divided between the parents. Time spent on the phone with the parenting coordinator, except for scheduling, is billed at $80 per hour with a $20 minimum charge. An initial retainer of $160 is required prior to the first meeting and will be credited toward hours used.

Who is Involved

The parents are the principal parties involved. The parenting coordinator may, however, request meetings with therapists, attorneys, counselors, teachers, step-parents and other professionals who have contact with the children if the parenting coordinator feels they may aid in the process.

What Happens in a Session?

Most sessions are held with both parents in attendance. The parents, with the assistance of the parenting coordinator, will discuss the issues concerning the children. At times the parenting coordinator may do educational exercises designed to help parents work more cooperatively with each other. The aim of each meeting is to educate the parents, resolve issues and avoid trials and hearings.

Contact Information
Orange County Courthouse
425 North Orange Avenue, Suite 120
Orlando, Florida 32801
(407) 836- 2116