My Parenting Coordination Process

Step-by-Step Process

My parenting coordination process involves the following steps, however, depending on the source of the referral for parenting coordination services, the extent of the conflict between the parents and when the referral is made in the context of the parties’ negotiations or litigation, the order in which the steps are taken may be somewhat different.

If lawyers are involved on the case, I will speak to both parties’ lawyers about the family to inform myself about the relationship between the parents, the level of conflict they have experienced, how long the conflict has existed, the types of issues which create conflict, what resources the family has accessed to address the conflict and the stage of the parties’ negotiations or court proceedings.
Lawyers’ roles are important for independent legal advice about the process and the Parenting Coordination Agreement.
I will meet individually in person or by remote means such as “Zoom” with each parent in order to find out how they are experiencing the relationship with the other parent and screen for a variety of issues which will allow me to determine whether or not, in my view, the family is suitable for the parenting coordination process and whether, given my professional training and experience, I am an appropriate parenting coordinator for the family. This meeting is confidential.
I will review the terms of my parenting coordination contract with the parents and their lawyers who are there for independent legal advice and draw to their attention the choices that I have made about terms that I require to be included in or excluded from the contract and the choices that they are required to make about terms they may wish to have included in or excluded from the contract.
Generally, the appointment follows the Regulations that dictate the duration of appointment can be for up to 2 years with one renewal option for up to another two years. I will discuss with the parents and their lawyers the appropriate duration of the parenting coordination process so that everyone knows the length of their commitment to the process.
I will discuss the cost associated with the parenting coordination process, depending on the specific circumstances of the family.

Once both parents, their lawyers (for independent legal advice), and I have signed the parenting coordination contract, as disputes arise, I will schedule a mediation session with the parents to help them discuss and resolve the issues. If the parents agree about how the specific disputes should be resolved, I will either draft an agreement that reflects what they have agreed to, which they will sign either with or without legal advice or, I will prepare a consent arbitration award which will become binding.
As new disputes arise, I will continue to offer the parents' mediation services, to help them decide how the issues should be resolved.
Any time the parties are unable to mediate a resolution of an issue that is in dispute, I will schedule an arbitration hearing to provide both parents with the opportunity to put forward their proposals about how the issue should be addressed and a summary of the facts which support their proposals.

Arbitrations Conducted During Parenting Coordination

Arbitrations which take place during parenting coordination are described in here.

Before scheduling the arbitration hearing, and if time allows, I will discuss with the parents (and possibly their lawyers), the type of process and the level of formality that is most suitable for the parents to permit them to address the issues in dispute properly. For example:

The arbitration of a time-sensitive, relatively straight-forward issue such as whether the parenting schedule may be changed to permit a child to attend a parent’s wedding could be addressed through a telephone conference.
The arbitration of a dispute relating to whether or not a child should be enrolled in dance classes two or four times each week would most likely be addressed by the parties delivering written submissions to the other parent and to me within a specified period of time and then delivering further submissions in response to the other parent’s materials.
The arbitration of a dispute relating to the choice of a child’s school and the language of education would most likely be addressed through a more formal hearing, at which both parents present oral evidence.

During the parenting coordination process, I may:

Require the parents to sign consent forms authorizing me to receive information from one or more of the following sources:

Require the parents to sign consent forms authorizing me to receive information from one or more of the following sources:

The children’s teachers, principal, vice-principal or the applicable school board
The children’s healthcare providers
The children’s care givers or babysitters
The children’s counsellors or therapists
A hospital through which a child has been assessed or treated
A child protection agency
A police officer force
Any other record holder

Speak with the children’s teachers, daycare providers, counsellors or therapists
Speak with the parents’ counsellors or therapists
Request a voice of the child report which is a report that summarizes the views and preferences of the children which have been shared with a neutral mental health professional who has been asked to interview the children
Monitor the parents’ communication with each other and the children
Refer the parents and/or the children to mental health and legal professionals or to community resources

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A PAPERLESS PROCESS

I use an electronic, paperless process to streamline parenting coordination, including mediation and arbitration, to provide a fair and cost-effective resolution of parenting disputes. Day-to-day communication occurs largely by phone, Zoom meetings, and email. Documents are shared and delivered in electronic form. Meetings, conferences, and hearings may be held in person or by teleconference or videoconference using Zoom.

When it is necessary to meet in person, meetings and hearings can be held anywhere in British Columbia that is convenient to the parties.

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REPORTING TO THE COURT

I will communicate with and provide reports to the court as may be required by the Family Law legislation, or by the parents’ consent agreement or their court order.

I am obliged to file my determinations as Orders in the Court on your family law court file.

Generally, the people involved in the Parenting Coordination process do not have lawyers or legal representation any longer.

MEETINGS & HEARINGS

Most of the time, communication in parenting coordination meetings conducted by me will be by teleconference, Zoom meetings, or videoconference. In-person meetings, when they are necessary, can be held anywhere in British Columbia.

I do require clients to pay for my reasonable, actual pre-set travel costs outside of the Lower Mainland and outside of Greater Victoria, including accommodation expenses when an overnight stay is absolutely necessary to get the job done.

AGREEMENTS & AWARDS

When a parenting dispute is resolved by mutual agreement, I will prepare and send a “memorandum of agreement” to both parents summarizing the terms of the agreement that has been reached.

Where a parenting dispute is resolved by my arbitration decision, I will prepare and send a “memorandum of award” to both parents and will prepare a Court Order that I will file in Court. The memorandum and Order shall summarize the dispute and give my decision on the dispute. My reasons will be entirely child-centred and fact-based and stated in the memorandum or “Reasons” for making that decision.

PEOPLE WITHOUT LAWYERS

Anna Perry provides parenting coordination services for people who do not have lawyers.

Go to the “How to Hire ” page to learn how to hire Anna Perry for parenting coordination.

HOW TO HIRE

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