Become the ultimate you.

Parent Coordination

What is Parent Coordination?
As put forth in the GUIDELINES FOR PARENTING COORDINATION, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) www.afccnet.org

Overview and Definitions section
Parenting coordination is a child-focused alternative dispute resolution process in which a mental health or legal professional with mediation training and experience assists high conflict parents to implement their parenting plan by facilitating the resolution of their disputes in a timely manner, educating parents about children’s needs, and with prior approval of the parties and/or the court, making decisions within the scope of the court order or appointment contract.

The overall objective of parenting coordination is to assist high conflict parents to implement their parenting plan, to monitor compliance with the details of the plan, to resolve conflicts regarding their children and the parenting plan in a timely manner, and to protect and sustain safe, healthy and meaningful parent-child relationships. Parenting coordination is a quasi-legal, mental health, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process that combines assessment, education, case management, conflict management and sometimes decision-making functions.

Training:
Dr Thorpe has attended several parent coordination trainings through the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). She has further professional experience in the areas of parenting and couple’s counseling. She has a certificate in Mediation Training: Family Law Cases from the NJ Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Dr. Thorpe is on the roster of Parenting Coordinators maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts, State of New Jersey.

Fee Schedule:
Fees for Parent Coordination are $250 per hour on a prorated basis. An initial retainer of $3000 is obtained prior to services beginning. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, each party will be responsible for one half of the retainer and all accrued fees. An additional retainer will be obtained if further services are required. Please see Agreement for more details.