My approach to mediation fits in well with parenting coordination. In fact, many of the more unique things I do as a mediator, such as shorter mediation sessions and a focus on working together to find solutions rather than relying on lawyers to negotiate an agreement, actually grew out of parenting coordination.

There are two factors that I think are especially important in selecting CRM for parenting coordination. First, I have over 25 years of litigation experience. I have handled many high conflict families and have seen firsthand just how damaging such relationships can be, especially to children. I believe my experience gives me insights many parenting coordinators lack and helps me handle high conflict families more realistically and more effectively.

Second, I see my primary role in all family law situations as preserving and repairing relationships. It is that role that has caused me to change my practice – and my life – so drastically. And that is the function that parenting coordinators must perform over and over again.

Almost by definition, high conflict families have had a breakdown in their relationships, not just between the parents themselves but often between the parents and their children. A parenting coordinator tries to repair these relationships through improving communication, educating parties on their respective roles as parents after a divorce, and helping parents better understand how their decisions affect their children.

By focusing on the relationships, I am better able to help parents develop workable parenting plans and resolve disputes in a way that will allow each of them to continue to parent their children, together if possible and, where that is not possible, independent of each other but without unnecessary interference from the other.