What Role Does a Parenting Coordinator Play in Ongoing Custody Disputes?
Co-parenting after a separation can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences for families. Even when both parents want what’s best for their children, ongoing conflict and communication breakdowns can make cooperation feel impossible. These high-stress situations not only strain parents but can also take a toll on a child’s sense of stability and security.
To help families work through these difficulties, North Carolina custody law provides an option for appointing a parenting coordinator—a neutral professional who assists parents in resolving disputes, improving communication, and carrying out the terms of a custody order.
By helping manage day-to-day issues and fostering collaboration, parenting coordinators play an important role in reducing court involvement and minimizing stress for everyone involved.
At Ward Family Law Group, we serve clients in Cary, North Carolina, and Wake Forest, North Carolina. We have seen firsthand how effective parenting coordination can be in high-conflict custody cases. Our team works closely with families to make sure that their children’s needs remain the top priority while helping parents find constructive ways to move forward.
When Parenting Coordinators Are Appointed
Under North Carolina custody law, parenting coordinators are typically appointed in “high-conflict” custody cases—those marked by repeated disagreements, poor communication, and ongoing tension between parents. The court may appoint a parenting coordinator on its own or at the request of one or both parties.
In some cases, the parents agree to the appointment voluntarily and even help select the coordinator. In others, the court orders the appointment after determining that continued conflict threatens the well-being of the children.
Either way, the goal is to help parents work together constructively within the scope of custody law, promoting cooperation instead of litigation.
A parenting coordinator’s authority comes directly from the court order or consent agreement that appoints them. That order outlines the scope of their duties, which often include assisting with communication, clarifying court orders, and helping resolve disputes over parenting time, medical care, schooling, and extracurricular activities.
Responsibilities of a Parenting Coordinator
Under North Carolina custody law, a parenting coordinator’s primary duty is to help parents comply with and interpret existing custody orders. They cannot change legal custody or make permanent modifications, but they can assist with day-to-day issues that arise during co-parenting.
Some of the most common areas where parenting coordinators assist include:
Clarifying schedules for visitation, holidays, and special events
Facilitating communication between parents regarding their child’s education, healthcare, and activities
Helping parents make joint decisions in accordance with their custody order
Monitoring compliance with the custody plan
Reporting progress or violations to the court
A parenting coordinator functions as an intermediary, helping parents reach agreements or make decisions that are consistent with custody law and the court’s orders. Their involvement can be especially useful in situations where parents have frequent communication breakdowns or where hostility makes cooperation difficult.
The Legal Basis for Parenting Coordinators in Custody Law
North Carolina General Statute § 50-90 through § 50-95 provides the outline for parenting coordination. These laws establish the qualifications, powers, and limitations of coordinators.
Under custody law, parenting coordinators must meet specific educational and professional requirements—often including training in family mediation and child development—and must be approved by the court.
Once appointed, the coordinator operates under court authority. They can make temporary decisions to resolve disputes when parents cannot agree, as long as those decisions stay within the boundaries of the existing custody order.
Parents who disagree with a coordinator’s decision may request a court review, but until that happens, the decision remains binding.
This structure helps enforce the principles of custody law by keeping children’s best interests at the forefront while reducing the need for frequent courtroom battles. Parenting coordinators thus act as an extension of the court’s efforts to stabilize high-conflict families.
How Parenting Coordinators Improve Communication and Cooperation
In our experience at Ward Family Law Group, one of the greatest benefits of using a parenting coordinator is improved communication between parents. Many disputes arise from miscommunication or differing interpretations of custody terms.
Under North Carolina custody law, parenting coordinators act as neutral facilitators to help parents communicate clearly and respectfully.
Through structured communication methods—such as scheduled check-ins, shared calendars, and written updates—parents can reduce misunderstandings. Coordinators often teach communication techniques that focus on the child’s needs, not past relationship conflicts.
Over time, this helps create a healthier co-parenting environment consistent with the intent of custody law to protect children’s welfare.
By reducing the emotional tension between parents, a parenting coordinator can also minimize the need for court intervention. This saves both time and money, while also reducing stress for the entire family.
Decision-Making Authority of Parenting Coordinators
Under North Carolina custody law, parenting coordinators can make limited decisions on day-to-day parenting matters when parents cannot reach an agreement. These decisions may include scheduling adjustments, transportation arrangements, or minor disagreements about school events or healthcare appointments.
However, coordinators cannot make major legal decisions that alter custody, visitation rights, or support obligations. Those matters remain within the court’s jurisdiction under custody law. The coordinator’s authority is limited to enforcing the existing court order and resolving disputes consistent with it.
For example, if parents disagree about which extracurricular activity a child should attend, the coordinator can mediate a solution based on the child’s best interests and the existing order’s intent. If one parent believes the coordinator overstepped their authority, they can request a court review.
This balance between limited authority and accountability keeps the process fair, consistent with the structure of North Carolina custody law.
Benefits of Having a Parenting Coordinator
Parenting coordinators can be an invaluable resource in ongoing custody disputes. Under North Carolina custody law, their purpose is not to replace the court but to reduce the frequency and intensity of conflicts.
The following list outlines the main benefits of having a parenting coordinator involved in a custody case:
Reduced Court Involvement: Parents can resolve day-to-day disputes without filing repeated motions.
Improved Communication: Coordinators teach constructive communication strategies to help parents focus on their children.
Faster Conflict Resolution: Disagreements can be addressed in real-time rather than waiting weeks for a court hearing.
Lower Emotional Stress: Coordinators help create a more cooperative environment, which benefits the children.
Consistency for Children: Stable and predictable parenting arrangements help children feel secure.
Accountability: Coordinators can document noncompliance and report to the court if necessary.
Each of these benefits supports the overall goals of North Carolina custody law—to protect children and promote parental cooperation even when relationships are strained.
Costs and Duration of a Parenting Coordinator’s Appointment
Under North Carolina custody law, the court determines how the costs of a parenting coordinator will be divided between the parents. In most cases, both parents share the cost based on their financial ability.
The duration of the coordinator’s appointment can also vary. Some appointments last for six months, while others continue until the court determines that the parents no longer require assistance.
The court can terminate the appointment if it finds that the coordinator’s involvement is no longer beneficial or that the parties are now able to cooperate effectively. Because parenting coordination is meant to reduce conflict, its ultimate success is measured by how well parents can function independently under the scope of custody law.
When a Parenting Coordinator Is Not Appropriate
Although parenting coordinators can be highly effective, they are not suitable for every case.
North Carolina custody law provides that parenting coordination is most effective when both parents are capable of participating in good faith and when there are no concerns about domestic violence or substance abuse that make such interaction unsafe.
If one parent consistently refuses to cooperate or comply with court orders, the coordinator may recommend additional court intervention. In those cases, direct judicial oversight remains the best way to uphold the principles of custody law and protect the child’s welfare.
The Importance of Legal Guidance
Even though parenting coordinators assist with ongoing custody issues, parents should still seek guidance from experienced attorneys who understand custody law. The parenting coordinator doesn't "represent" the parties or provide legal advice. Each parent should have his or her own attorney.
Legal advice is essential when drafting or modifying custody orders, responding to coordinator recommendations, or appealing decisions to the court.
At Ward Family Law Group, we help our clients understand how a parenting coordinator fits into their overall custody structure. We work closely with families to clarify their rights, prepare them for the process, and help them make informed decisions that serve their children’s best interests.
Reach Out to Our Firm Today
Parenting coordination is one of the most practical tools available under North Carolina custody law to help parents in ongoing disputes find stability and peace. When used effectively, it can reduce conflict, improve cooperation, and promote the consistency children need to thrive after separation or divorce.
By focusing on communication, structure, and accountability, parenting coordinators embody the spirit of North Carolina custody law, which seeks to protect children from prolonged conflict and give parents a constructive path forward.
At Ward Family Law Group, we believe that every custody dispute deserves a solution that prioritizes the well-being of the child. We represent clients in high-conflict custody cases where a parenting coordinator is needed. Also, Linda Ward and Ryan Tarrant serve as parenting coordinators.
Parenting coordination is not about taking sides but about helping both parents work toward a common goal: a stable, loving, and legally sound arrangement for their children’s future. We’re proud to serve Cary, North Carolina, and Wake Forest, North Carolina. Call our firm today.
