Parenting Coordinator in Ontario – Parenting Coordination: Process, Scope & Cost
A parenting coordinator provides parenting coordination—a child‑focused, post‑separation process that helps parents “implement” an existing parenting plan or order. “Implementing” means taking the parenting plan you already have and making it work day-to-day—clarifying grey areas, gaps, resolving small disputes, and keeping routines predictable. The parenting coordinator mediates first and can make recommendations to keep day‑to‑day life moving smoothly and reduce day to day parenting problems and arguments.
What Is Parenting Coordination?
Also called a parenting coordinator, parent coordinator, or (in some regions) parenting facilitator or divorce coordinator. Parenting coordination (PC) is a structured process that makes co-parenting run smoothly. When the plan leaves gaps or sparks disagreement, the parenting coordinator helps you settle it quickly and keep the plan on track.
What Are The Benefits Of Parenting Coordination?
Parents often describe parenting coordination as a ‘pressure valve.’ Instead of arguments dragging on for weeks, a parenting coordinator can step in quickly to help both parents reach common ground. This eases tension in the home, saves money compared to repeated court filings, and gives parents tools they can keep using long after the coordination period ends.
What Do Parenting Coordinators Do?
A parenting coordinator helps parents take what’s written in their separation agreement or court order and make it work in real life – with fewer arguments, disagreements, stress, and uncertainty. Their role is practical, aimed at reducing conflict, and making both of your homes run more smoothly for your benefit and for the kids:
A parenting coordinator helps parents take what’s written in their separation agreement or court order and make it work in daily life. The role is practical, child-focused, and also designed to make life easier for parents. Parenting coordinators typically:
- Educate parents on communication and routines. They encourage respectful exchanges, set expectations for tone and timing, and keep the focus on practical solutions. This reduces unnecessary arguments and saves parents time and emotional energy.
- Mediate everyday disputes. Disagreements about pick-ups and drop-offs, extracurricular activities, or holiday schedules are handled quickly before they spiral. Parents spend less time in conflict and more time enjoying their own lives.
- Recommend practical solutions when parents can’t agree. Instead of leaving disputes unresolved or forcing families back to court, a parenting coordinator offers clear, workable recommendations. This lowers stress and avoids the financial and emotional cost of repeated legal battles.
- Promote consistency and stability. With fewer disputes and smoother routines, parents experience more predictability in their schedules. That means less chaos and more peace of mind for everyone.
Goal: Make parenting work smoothly—for the children and for the parents.
What Problems a Parenting Coordinator Actually Solves (Ontario Examples)
Common, day‑to‑day issues:
- Exchange logistics, lateness/defaults, weather back‑ups
- Extracurricular scheduling, costs, transport
- Holiday/vacation specifics
- Communication rules (app, tone, response times)
- Interpreting grey areas in the parenting plan/order
Usually not in scope (unless expressly authorized):
- Changing legal decision‑making responsibility
- Long‑term changes to parenting time/primary residence
- Child/spousal support, property division
- Relocation or school choice (except narrow tie‑breakers if clearly granted)
At Aaries, our parenting coordination service is structured as combined mediation/parenting coordination, offering a more comprehensive and in-depth range of services and we do mediate these issues if both parties sign up for the service.
Where Parenting Coordination Fits in Ontario (Scope & Authority)
- Parenting Coordination is typically created by a written parenting coordination agreement (often confirmed by a consent order).
- Any decision‑making authority must be expressly granted and is limited to the issues you list. Generally, it is better to have the parenting coordinator make recommendations.
- Major changes (decision‑making responsibility, primary residence, relocation) are outside standard parenting coordination and belong in mediation/court.
The Parenting Coordination Process (Step‑by‑Step)
- Referral & Agreement
You and the other parent (often with counsel) choose a coordinator and sign a Parenting Coordination agreement setting: scope, timelines, confidentiality, fees, and whether limited tie‑breaker authority exists. - Screening & Intake
Separate intakes include screening for safety/power imbalance, review of your plan/order, and ground rules. - Protocols & Tools
Coordinator sets communication norms, turnaround times, and tools (e.g., a co‑parenting app). You’ll learn how to raise issues and what documentation to provide. - Mediation First
Most matters resolve quickly via email/phone/brief sessions with child‑focused problem‑solving. - Recommendations
The coordinator issues written recommendations that are actionable for you. - Monitoring & Adjustment
Coordinator tracks compliance and fine‑tunes protocols to reduce recurring friction.
Why Parents Choose Parenting Coordination
- Speed: Weekend issues get solutions in days, not months.
- Predictability for Kids: Clear transitions and fewer surprises.
- Less Conflict: Structured communication lowers the temperature.
- Court Avoidance: Many small disputes never reach a judge.
- Skill‑Building: Parents leave with better, repeatable habits.
Find a Parenting Coordinator Near You
If you’re searching for a parenting coordinator near me, we work remotely across Ontario. Many Parenting Coordination issues resolve quickly by phone/video and a co‑parenting app, so you don’t need to live close to our office.
Court‑Appointed Parenting Coordinator (Ontario)
Courts commonly encourage parenting coordination and may endorse it in an order when parties consent. Any tie‑breaker/decision‑making requires an agreement that meets Ontario’s family‑arbitration framework; judges generally don’t impose Parenting Coordination with binding powers without consent. It’s often preferable, and many co-parents hire parenting coordinators to make recommendations as opposed to decisions.
Costs of a Parenting Coordinator (Ontario)
- Most parenting coordinators bill hourly and require a retainer.
- Cost‑sharing is often 50/50, but your agreement/order can set a different split.
- Ask about: hourly rate, retainer, billing increments, cancellation policies, and fees for written decisions.
Many families spend far less than repeated motions while keeping decisions child‑centred.
Choosing the Right Coordinator (Ontario Checklist)
Qualifications & Training
Look for a blend of family law knowledge, mediation training, and child‑development expertise.
Experience with High Conflict
Most parents seeking the assistance of a parenting coordinator are high conflict. They tend to go to a parenting coordinator after spending significantly on legal services. They have difficulty agreeing with each other. There may be personality disorders involved.
Fit Materrs
Fit matters—tone and approach can make or break success.
Parenting Coordination vs. Mediation vs. Court (Ontario View)
- Mediation: Can create or modify a parenting plan. Changes can be minor or major.
- Parenting Coordination: Ongoing process to smooth parenting disagreements related to your existing separation agreement or court order.
- Court: Needed for major changes, enforcement, disclosure orders, or urgent safety/legal powers.
Ontario‑Style Scenarios (How a Parenting Coordinator Helps)
- The Thursday Hockey Clash
Order says extracurriculars are encouraged but not who drives. The coordinator mediates a rotation, sets a default pickup and dropoff time/location or a protocol to follow. - Holiday Hand‑Off Timing
Plan splits winter break but leaves exchange times vague. Does the winter break start on the Friday of the last day of school? What if that Friday is a PD day? The coordinator sets specific times and a fallback exchange location. - Communication Blow‑Ups
Texts escalate. After understanding the nature of your disagreement, the coordinator suggests practical written protocols for communication for both parties to abide by. - Last‑Minute Tournament Travel
Coordinator confirms notice requirements, checks conflicts, and—if authorized—rules narrowly (trip approved with cost‑sharing and make‑up time).
FAQs (Ontario)
Is a parenting coordinator legally binding in Ontario?
Generally no. The courts can frown on parenting coordinators making decisions and override decisions made by a parenting coordinator. Generally parenting coordination runs more smoothly and is more respected by the courts when the parenting coordinator takes more of a mediating role as opposed to an arbitrating role
Is there a parenting coordinator near me?
Yes. We serve all of Ontario (remote available). Most parenting coordination can be done by video/phone.
What is a parenting facilitator? Is it the same as a parenting coordinator?
Often a synonym. In Ontario you’ll most often see parenting coordinator. We use the term consistently but explain any alternate titles in your agreement.
Can the court appoint a parenting coordinator in Ontario?
Courts uncommonly encourage Parenting Coordination and may record consent in an order. If a judge recommends a parenting coordinator – there’s probably good reason and it’s a valuable recommendation.
How much does a parenting coordinator cost in Ontario?
Rates vary. Most Parenting Coordinators bill hourly with a retainer and split fees (often 50/50). Many families spend far less than repeated motions in court.
How long does parenting coordination last?
Commonly 6–24 months, with renewal if all agree it’s still useful.
Will my child meet the coordinator?
Often no. If limited child input is contemplated, it should be clearly defined and consent‑based.
What if one parent ignores the coordinator?
If tie‑breaker authority exists, the coordinator can issue a written decision within scope. Persistent non‑compliance may require court for enforcement.
Is parenting coordination confidential?
It depends on your agreement/order. Mediation‑style communications are often confidential; written decisions are typically shareable with counsel/court.
What’s the role of a parent coordinator?
Implement the existing plan/order, reduce conflict, and— make recommendations.