Parenting Coordination in Broward County
Parenting coordination is a child-focused dispute-resolution process for high-conflict parents who already have a parenting plan. Katherine O. Birnbaum serves as a registered parenting coordinator, helping families implement their plans without repeated returns to court.
Overview
Under Fla. Stat. § 61.125, the court may appoint a qualified parenting coordinator to help parents implement their parenting plan, resolve day-to-day disputes, and reduce the conflict their children are exposed to. Parenting coordination is not therapy and not a custody evaluation — it is a structured process for making an existing plan work.
Typical issues include schedule adjustments, holiday and vacation disputes, exchanges, extracurricular activities, communication between the parents, and the countless decisions a parenting plan cannot anticipate in advance.
How the firm approaches parenting coordination
As a parenting coordinator, Ms. Birnbaum brings decades of family law practice — and extensive experience with high-conflict parenting dynamics — to a process designed to keep children out of the middle. The goal is durable, child-focused resolution of disputes that would otherwise generate repeated motions and hearings.
When our attorney represents a parent in a parenting coordination process, we prepare our client to use the process effectively and ensure any agreements reached are properly documented and, where appropriate, submitted for court approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a parenting coordinator do?
+
A parenting coordinator helps parents implement an existing parenting plan and resolve day-to-day disputes — schedules, exchanges, activities, communication — without returning to court for every disagreement.
Is parenting coordination confidential?
+
Generally yes, with statutory exceptions — primarily threats of harm to a child or another person. A parenting coordinator may report to the court as authorized by the appointment order.
Can the court order parenting coordination?
+
Yes. The court may appoint a parenting coordinator on motion of a party or its own motion where the parents have a parenting plan and ongoing conflict that harms the child.
Who pays for parenting coordination?
+
The court allocates the cost between the parents, typically in proportion to their respective incomes, unless the parties agree otherwise.
How is parenting coordination different from mediation?
+
Mediation resolves the case itself — the underlying dispute. Parenting coordination addresses ongoing disputes after a parenting plan is in place, and can continue over months or years.
Discuss your matter, in confidence.
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)