In high-conflict custody cases, courts in Ohio may appoint a parenting coordinator to help manage disputes between a child’s parents. A parenting coordinator acts as a neutral third party, working with both parents to resolve conflicts and make decisions in the best interest of their child.
While this role can be beneficial in many cases, it’s important to understand that the appointment of a parenting coordinator could also result in consequential drawbacks. Depending on the specifics of your situation, a parenting coordinator could potentially help or hurt your case if you and your ex are struggling to come to an agreement without intervention.
Helping
In contentious situations, communication between exes can be challenging and fraught with tension. A parenting coordinator can help reduce conflict by facilitating discussions and acting as a mediator. This approach can potentially help parents reach agreements without resorting to numerous court appearances.
Parenting coordinators often have backgrounds in law, psychology or social work, providing them with experience that may allow them to offer valuable guidance on co-parenting issues. They can help parents navigate difficult situations, such as holiday schedules, education decisions and medical care, potentially offering practical solutions that are in the child’s best interest.
Hurting
One potential downside of involving a parenting coordinator in your situation is that it can lead to a loss of control over certain aspects of your parenting decisions. Since the coordinator has the authority to make binding decisions on certain issues, you may find yourself newly subject to arrangements that you’re not fully comfortable with. This can be particularly problematic if you feel that the coordinator is biased or doesn’t fully understand your perspective.
While parenting coordinators are supposed to be neutral, there’s always a risk of perceived or actual bias. If one parent feels that the coordinator is favoring the other parent, it can exacerbate conflict rather than resolve it. This could lead to further disputes and even additional legal battles, undermining the very purpose of working with a coordinator in the first place.
Ultimately, a parenting coordinator can serve as a valuable resource or as the opposite of that ideal. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when it comes to working with this particular kind of professional.