British Columbia Law
Parenting Coordinator in BC: What They Do and When You Need One
Parenting coordinators are one of the most underused — and most effective — tools for high-conflict families in BC. If you and your former partner have a parenting agreement or court order in place but can't implement it without constant fighting, a parenting coordinator can change the dynamic significantly.
What Is a Parenting Coordinator?
A parenting coordinator (PC) is a neutral professional — usually a lawyer, psychologist, or social worker with specialized training — appointed to help parents implement an existing parenting order or agreement. Their role sits between mediation and arbitration: they help parents resolve day-to-day disputes about parenting arrangements and, where parents cannot agree, can make binding decisions on specified issues.
In BC, parenting coordinators operate under the *Family Law Act* (section 15) and the *Parenting Coordinator Regulation*. They are appointed either by agreement between the parents or by court order.
What Does a Parenting Coordinator Actually Do?
A PC's job is to help parents implement their parenting arrangement, not to rewrite it. They handle the day-to-day friction that makes co-parenting difficult — the disagreements about schedule changes, school decisions, medical appointments, holiday logistics, communication protocols.
Specifically, a PC can:
- Help parents communicate more constructively
- Assist parents in interpreting and applying the terms of their existing order or agreement
- Mediate disputes about day-to-day parenting decisions
- Make binding decisions on specified issues when parents cannot agree (within the scope of their appointment)
- Monitor compliance with parenting arrangements
- Provide recommendations to the court when required
What a Parenting Coordinator Cannot Do
A PC cannot change the terms of an existing court order — they can only help implement it. They cannot make decisions about major parenting changes (such as relocating with a child) or override a judge's order. If a fundamental change to the parenting arrangement is needed, that still requires a court application or a new agreement.
When Is a Parenting Coordinator Useful?
A PC is most effective for families where:
- A parenting order or agreement exists but is constantly disputed in its implementation
- Parents communicate poorly and minor issues escalate into major conflicts
- Court applications are being filed repeatedly over implementation disputes — driving up legal costs for both parties
- Children are being exposed to significant parental conflict
- One or both parents struggle to separate their co-parenting relationship from their personal conflict
How Is a Parenting Coordinator Appointed in BC?
Parents can jointly agree to appoint a PC and set the terms of the appointment in writing. If parents cannot agree, either party can apply to the BC Supreme Court for an order appointing a PC. The court can impose a PC appointment where it is in the best interests of the child.
How Long Does a Parenting Coordinator Stay Involved?
Most PC appointments in BC are for one to two years, renewable by agreement or court order. Some families use a PC intensively for a short period during a high-conflict transition and then phase out the role as communication improves. Others maintain a PC on a longer-term basis.
What Does a Parenting Coordinator Cost in BC?
PC fees vary but typically range from $200 to $400 per hour. Costs are usually shared equally between the parents, though the allocation can be adjusted by agreement or court order. While there is an upfront cost, most families find that a PC saves significant money compared to the cost of repeated court applications over the same disputes.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Meetings are by appointment only, by phone or secure video.