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Established by the Illinois Supreme Court, the program allows
local circuit courts to establish a program permitting judges to
appoint a “parenting coordinator” to resolve minor disputes
between parents who cannot come to agreement with each other.
“Parenting coordination” is defined under the rule as a
child-focused alternative dispute resolution process conducted
by a licensed mental health or family law professional appointed
by the court to assist parents who are unable or unwilling to
cooperate in making parenting decisions or complying with
parenting agreements.
“They can help resolve these disputes and mediate disputes
between people after a parenting order is entered and thereby
steering a lot of people away from the courts and streamlining
resolutions for families,” family law attorney Raiford Palmer,
author of the book “I Just Want This Done,” said.
If parenting coordinators are unable to resolve the conflict,
one or both parties may petition the court for a review of the
parenting coordinator’s recommendations.
Palmer said the program began in Cook County, but expects it to
expand around Illinois.
“The Illinois Supreme Court has put its stamp on approving this
statewide and recommending this for all the circuit courts in
the state of Illinois. Not mandatory but gives them guidelines
on how to establish it,” Palmer said.
Parenting coordinators are available in at least 10 states
around the country.
“Divorce is a deeply intense and personal issue for couples,
touching on everything from their finances to how to raise their
kids,” Palmer added. “Anything that a couple can do to keep that
out of a courtroom and resolve their disputes privately can only
help.”
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