The Parent Coordination Program

The Parent Coordination program is a method for parents enmeshed in high conflict custody case to resolve disputes quickly. The Courts have recently re-engineered this process and provided significantly more guidance on how this program should be utilized. That guidance can be found online here: https://www.njcourts.gov/courts/family/parenting-coordinator-program 

In summary, when parties are Ordered into the Parent Coordination program, a trained Parent Coordinator will hear disputes involving custody and parenting time and make a recommendation. Both parents have a limited window to file an application with the Court challenging that recommendation. If neither side files a challenge, the recommendations become binding. Obtaining a recommendation is intended to occur much faster than the Court would normally process a motion or application. As the process is often less formal, utilizing a Parent Coordinator can often be less expensive than filing a motion with the court.

Not every matter is appropriate for Parent Coordination and the Courts have specifically outlined that the program is intended to resolve day-to-day parenting issues. These are the issues that can plague many families, but which may not rise to the level to warrant formal motion practice. If Parent Coordination seems like a potential fit for your matter, the attorneys at Maleski, Eisenhut and Zielinski, LLC would be happy to walk you through the process and the specific considerations that go into appointing a Parent Coordinator. Adam Eisenhut, Esq. has also received specialized training and has been approved by the State of New Jersey to serve as a Parent Coordinator and received further specialized training permitting him to take on cases involving domestic violence.