The Role and Benefits of Parenting Coordinators in High-Conflict Custody Cases in North Carolina
High-conflict custody cases present significant challenges for families, courts, and most importantly, the children caught in the middle. When parents struggle to communicate effectively and make joint decisions regarding their children's wellbeing, the entire family system suffers. In North Carolina, the judicial system has recognized this problem and implemented a solution: the parenting coordinator. This blog examines the role of parenting coordinators in high-conflict custody cases in North Carolina and highlights the numerous benefits they provide to families navigating these difficult circumstances.
Parenting coordination in North Carolina is governed by North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) § 50-90 through § 50-100, enacted in 2005. This legislation provides the legal framework for appointing parenting coordinators and delineates their authority, responsibilities, and limitations.
Under North Carolina law, a parenting coordinator may be appointed by the court in cases where:
1. The court has determined that the case involves high-conflict parties
2. The appointment is in the best interest of any minor children in the case
3. The parents have demonstrated an inability to communicate effectively regarding parenting issues
The appointment can occur either during the initial custody determination or as part of a modification proceeding. Importantly, both parties can agree to the appointment of a parenting coordinator, or the court can order one even if one or both parties object.
North Carolina maintains stringent requirements for parenting coordinators to ensure they possess the necessary expertise to handle complex family dynamics. According to NCGS § 50-93, a parenting coordinator must:
1. Hold a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, law, social work, counseling, medicine, or a related subject area
2. Have at least five years of related professional experience after obtaining their degree
3. Complete specific training in topics including parenting coordination, developmental psychology, family dynamics, domestic violence, and court procedures
4. Maintain professional liability insurance
These requirements ensure that parenting coordinators bring substantial expertise and professional experience to their role, benefiting the families they serve.
The parenting coordinator serves as a neutral third party who assists parents in implementing their parenting plan and resolving disputes that arise during its execution. Their primary responsibilities include:
In high-conflict cases, communication between parents often breaks down completely or becomes contentious. The parenting coordinator serves as an intermediary, helping parents exchange information about their children constructively. They may facilitate discussions, mediate disagreements, and teach communication skills that parents can eventually use independently.
One of the most powerful aspects of a parenting coordinator's role is their limited decision-making authority. When parents reach an impasse on minor issues related to the implementation of the parenting plan, the parenting coordinator can make binding decisions. This authority is carefully defined in the court order appointing them and typically includes matters such as:
- Minor adjustments to the visitation schedule
- Transportation and exchange logistics
- Participation in extracurricular activities
- Healthcare management
- Education-related decisions
However, parenting coordinators cannot make substantial modifications to physical or legal custody arrangements—these matters remain under the court's jurisdiction.
Benefits of Using a Parenting Coordinator
The most significant benefit of parenting coordination is the reduction in repeated returns to court. Before the introduction of parenting coordinators, high-conflict families often engaged in endless cycles of motions, hearings, and litigation. By resolving disputes outside the courtroom, parenting coordinators save families time, money, and emotional distress while reducing the burden on an already overwhelmed court system.
Court calendars are often backed up for months, meaning that even urgent parenting issues may take substantial time to resolve through traditional litigation. Parenting coordinators can address issues promptly—sometimes within days or even hours—preventing minor disagreements from escalating into major conflicts.
Parenting coordinators maintain a strict focus on the best interests of the children involved. While parents in high-conflict situations may lose sight of their children's needs amid their personal disputes, the parenting coordinator consistently redirects attention to how decisions and behaviors impact the children. This child-centered approach helps protect children from being caught in the crossfire of parental conflict.
Children exposed to high-conflict divorce and custody disputes face significant risks to their emotional and psychological development. By helping parents resolve conflicts outside their children's presence and reducing the overall level of hostility, parenting coordinators help protect children from the harmful effects of exposure to parental conflict.
Unlike courtroom litigation, which can result in one-size-fits-all solutions, parenting coordinators can develop highly customized approaches tailored to each family's specific needs and circumstances. They have the flexibility to address the unique dynamics and challenges present in each case, resulting in more effective and sustainable solutions.
Parenting coordinators play a vital role in North Carolina's approach to high-conflict custody cases. By facilitating communication, resolving disputes, and focusing consistently on children's best interests, they help transform toxic co-parenting relationships into more functional ones. Though not without challenges, the parenting coordination model offers significant benefits to families caught in the cycle of conflict.
For parents facing high-conflict custody situations in North Carolina, consulting with a family law attorney about the possibility of utilizing a parenting coordinator may be the first step toward breaking the cycle of conflict and creating a healthier environment for their children.
Mr. Brandon McCarthy is now taking Parenting Coordinator cases. He’s ready to serve you and your family.
