What is Parenting Coordination?
Parenting Coordination is a court-ordered, child-focused process designed to assist parents who are experiencing
ongoing conflict related to their children.
When a judge or general magistrate identifies a family law case as high conflict, the parents may be referred to
Family Court Services for Parenting Coordination. The goal is to reduce conflict, improve communication, and help
parents create, follow, and implement their court-ordered parenting plan, all in support of the child’s best
interests and without repeated trips back to court.
How Parenting Coordination Helps Families
A Parenting Coordinator (PC) is a neutral, specially trained professional appointed by the court to assist parents
with ongoing, day-to-day parenting issues.
Parenting Coordination focuses on practical matters that commonly create conflict, including:
- Time-sharing schedules and exchanges
- School-related matters
- Health care and extracurricular activities
- Communication challenges between parents
- Clarification and implementation of the parenting plan
A Parenting Coordinator does not take sides and does not replace the judge. Instead, the Parenting Coordinator helps
parents problem-solve, improve communication, and remain focused on their child’s best interests.
How Referrals Work in the 11th Judicial Circuit
In the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, the Family Court Services unit manages all court-ordered referrals to Parenting
Coordinators.
As outlined in the court’s Order of Referral to Parenting Coordinator, both parents must
contact Family Court
Services to begin the process. Family Court Services coordinates the referral, facilitates the selection of a
Parenting Coordinator, and monitors compliance for the court.
Parents may select from the Roster of Parenting Coordinators. If the parents are unable to agree on a Parenting
Coordinator, Family Court Services will assign one based on factors such as location, language needs, availability,
and affordability.
For parents who are determined to be indigent, the court may order that Parenting Coordination be provided directly
through Family Court Services at no cost, when available.
Fees and Eligibility
The court determines how Parenting Coordination fees and costs are allocated between the parents.
In some cases, Parenting Coordination may be provided through Family Court Services without cost when a parent is
determined to be indigent and the court orders in-house services.
Court Authority and Governing Law
Parenting Coordination is governed by Florida Statute 61.125, effective October 1, 2009.
In Miami Dade County, the Parenting Coordination process is further guided by Administrative Order
09 15 A2
(Parenting Coordination in Family Law Cases). This Administrative Order establishes the standard Order of
Referral
to Parenting Coordinator, defines the scope of a Parenting Coordinator’s authority, and sets required procedures for
court-ordered cases.
The standard Order of Referral must be used in all Parenting Coordination cases.
For Professionals: Qualifications of Parenting Coordinators
Florida law establishes minimum qualifications for Parenting Coordinators, including required credentials, experience, and specialized training.
These requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Professional licensure or certification in a qualifying mental health, legal, medical, or mediation field
- A minimum of three years of post-licensure or post-certification experience
- Florida Supreme Court certified family mediation training
- Specialized Parenting Coordination training as required by statute
- Training in domestic violence and child abuse related to Parenting Coordination
Family Court Services maintains a roster of Parenting Coordinators who meet both statutory requirements and local
circuit training standards.
Interested in Becoming a Parenting Coordinator?
Professionals interested in being considered for the 11th Judicial Circuit Parenting Coordinator roster must submit a
completed Parenting Coordinator Application, curriculum vitae (CV), and required documentation, including relevant
certifications and training.
Materials must be submitted electronically to parentingfcsapp@jud11.flcourts.org.