​Alternative Dispute Resolution.
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Parenting Coordination

Parenting coordination is a very specialized dispute resolution process that helps parents reach a settlement of their disputes without going to court. Parenting coordination is intended to address the needs of a very narrow group of parents: parents who are in high conflict with each other, have a history of conflict about parenting decisions, and already have in place a final court order, a series of orders or a written agreement setting out a permanent plan for co-parenting their children, including arrangements for guardianship, parenting time and parenting responsibilities. Parenting coordination is not designed to create these final parenting arrangements but rather, it is meant to help interpret, implement, fine tune and work with those arrangements once they are in place.

Mediation/Arbitration

Mediation/Arbitration, or Med-Arb, is a hybrid dispute resolution process that is neither a mediation, nor an arbitration. While it contains elements of each, it is a continuous resolution process which has its own unique character and combines the primary aspects of both mediation and arbitration processes together.

Arbitration

Arbitration is a private, confidential resolution process where parties submit their dispute to a third-party neutral who is called an arbitrator and is usually someone with specific legal training. The arbitrator acts essentially as the parties’ private judge, who listens to their positions and arguments, receives evidence and makes a decision, known as an award, which is final and binding and which is enforceable in the courts.

Ten Tips to Save Money Using a Parenting Coordinator

A PC is assigned to your case and you’ve paid a substantial amount of money to get started with that person. Between you and the other parent, you have brought somewhere between two and ten issues to the PC. How can you save money and get the most out of your parenting coordinator to get those issues resolved?  Read AFCC article here.

High Conflict Parenting Coordination

This article explains the background of parenting coordination; how the authority of the parenting coordinator originates; and the role of the parenting coordinator after court orders have been made.  Read the article here.

Effective Use of Mediation-Arbitration

Over the past 15 years, mediation arbitration (or “med-arb”) has grown into a popular method of resolving family law disputes. As its name suggests, med-arb combines the most effective features of both mediation and arbitration. Why has med-arb become so popular? When does it work and when it does not? What are the ethical and practical issues that must be considered?  Read the article here.