FAQ

It's better to profit by a horrible example than to be one.

Plautus, Persa 540

Maridell Templeton
Parenting Coordinator
P.O. Box 38185
Dallas, TX 75238-0185
214-343-6274

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Co-Parenting Coordination
When did "Co-Parenting Coordination" start - and why?
What does "Co-Parenting Coordination" provide that mediation, social studies and other approaches do not provide?
When in the divorce/modification process is "Co-Parenting Coordination" most needed?
Is the Process confidential?
How is "Co-Parenting Coordination" typically conducted?
How long does a typical "Co-Parenting Coordination" process last?
How does Parenting Coordination complement the work of the family law attorney?
How do I pay?

Q: What is "Co-parenting Coordination?"

Co-parenting is a process led by a trained and qualified parenting coordinator. As a parenting coordinator, as contemplated by law (Section 153.601(3) of the Texas Family Code), a qualified individual serves in an impartial capacity assisting parties in resolving issues relating to parenting and other family matters. This can include: identifying disputed issues; reducing misunderstandings; clarifying priorities; exploring possibilities for problem solving; developing methods of collaboration in parenting; developing a parenting plan; and aiding parties in complying with the court's order regarding conservatorship, support, and possession of and access to children.

Q: When did "Co-Parenting Coordination" start - and why?

There has been a movement since the 1980s to actively include both divorced parents in their children's lives. In 1995, the law (Section 151.131 of the Texas Family Code) provided that it was presumed to be in the best interest of the child that both parents be named Joint Managing Conservator, although that presumption was rebuttable if the court found that appointment would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development. This provision doesn't apply at all if there has been a history of family violence.

In June, 2005, when legislation provided for Parenting Coordination, courses began to address this issue. The first course in Dallas, Texas, as required by the law for Parenting Coordination, was offered in March, 2006. Maridell Templeton took that course.

He preferred being a good man to looking like one.

Sallust,
Bellum Catilinae

Q: What does "Co-Parenting Coordination" provide that mediation, social studies, and other approaches do not provide?

This is a long-term success and goal oriented process. It is not therapy. It is not only education. It is not "lets look at an issue and resolve that issue" or settle the whole case in one or two days of mediation or arbitration where an arbitrator makes a unilateral decision regarding the parties' legal issues. It is not a social study where a professional looks at the parties, their situations, the children, etc. and makes recommendations where the child is to live and who has what legal rights.

Parenting Coordination may involve what appears to be all of the above. The Parenting Coordinator should review any custody evaluation, other relevant records, interim or final court orders, information from parents, children and other collateral sources, protective (family violence) orders, and other applicable cases involving criminal assault, domestic violence or child abuse, and educational records, as well as analyze the impasses and issues brought forth by the parties. The Parenting Coordinator educates and works with the parties about child development, divorce research, the impact of parental behavior on children, parenting skills, communication and conflict resolution skills. The Parenting Coordinator should work with others involved with the family, including mental health experts, health care personnel, social services, education and legal, as well as with extended family, stepparents and the children. The Parenting Coordinator may make recommendations for outside services, e.g. counseling, as may appear to be needed.

The Parenting Coordinator does not make decisions for the parties.

Parenting Coordination is a solution oriented process. It helps parents work together for the good of their children rather than fighting each other. This provides the children with an opportunity to see adults work together to solve problems. If each party operates as if they were the only parent, the children receive mixed messages. Parenting Coordination is an avenue for parents to set their own path to healthy parenting for their children.

A major aspect of parenting coordination is the identification of what are the problems in the family and the determination if anything can be done to resolve the underlying problem(s). If not, it is necessary to determine what actions can be taken and what changes each parent can make that will take the children out of the middle, provide for their safety, and allow them to love both parents. Children need to learn that part of them comes from each parent.

Parenting coordination allows the parties involved to recognize and establish healthy boundaries and hopefully move into a place where they are no longer "ex's" but co-parents for their own children.

As a lawyer, Maridell Templeton has accumulated many years of experience in family law. She has a good grasp of what works and what doesn't work in family conflict resolution, what courts will or will not do, and what courts like and don't like. She can work with the entire family to learn how to use the past to build for a future, using the good out of the past, letting go of the hurts, and moving on into new relationships.

This, with her basic abilities, forms a great basis for doing this work.

Q: When in the divorce/modification process is "Co-Parenting Coordination" most needed?

Although parenting coordination may be agreed to by the parties, it can also be court ordered in "high-conflict" cases, meaning suits where there is:

Repetitious litigation
anger and distrust
difficulty in communicating and cooperating in the care of their children, or
other behaviors that the court feels warrants the appointment of a parenting coordinator

Anger is the one thing made better by delay.

Syrus, Maxims

Q. Is the process confidential?

Yes. The parenting coordinator may not:

be compelled to produce work product developed during the appointment as a parenting coordinator
be required to disclose the source of any information, or
submit a report into evidence. However, if the court orders, the parenting coordinator may give a report that only states whether parenting coordination is succeeding and should continue

Q: How is "Co-Parenting Coordination" typically conducted?

The parenting coordinator will be provided with needed documents that indicate the course the case has taken, including custody evaluations, other relevant records, interim or final court orders, information from parents, children and other collateral sources, protective (family violence) orders, and other applicable cases involving criminal assault, domestic violence, child abuse and educational records. The parenting coordinator will review all of these documents prior to the first meeting with the parties.

Next, the parenting coordinator will typically meet jointly with the parties. At this point, the Parenting Coordinator will identify the parties' concerns, assess the situation, and determine what needs to be done. After this, individual sessions may be scheduled and collaterals may be contacted. The parties will be brought back together as deemed appropriate by the parenting coordinator. During the process, the issues will be identified, solutions proposed and details clarified, aka ironed out. There will be follow-up conferences to assure the process is proceeding smoothly.

Q: How long does a typical "Co-Parenting Coordination" process last?

This strictly depends upon the parties, the problems, etc. Obviously, more long-standing animosity cases may take longer. Cases where there is simply confusion about approaches should take less time.

Q. How does Parenting Coordination complement the work of the family law attorney?

Parenting coordination takes a lot of the frustration away from both the family law attorney and the client. For that reason, parenting coordination is a complement to the work the family may do with their family law attorney.

Q. How do I pay?

Credit Cards will be accepted, as well as other forms of payment.

Cost depends on the amount of time the process takes. The shorter the period of time, the less expensive it will be. But the cost of Co-parenting Coordination is minuscule in comparison to what it would cost to battle in court. Court battles only increase the stress and animosity between the parties, cost monies that could be used for the family, and always harm the children.