British Columbia Law

When to Use a Parenting Coordinator in BC — A Practical Guide

By Andrew Liggett, Sea to Sky Law, New Westminster, BC

If you are co-parenting after separation and find yourself in repeated disputes over schedules, school decisions, or medical care — disputes that keep pulling you back to court or into your lawyer's office — a parenting coordinator may be the most practical tool available to you.

What Is a Parenting Coordinator?

A parenting coordinator (PC) is a neutral professional — usually a lawyer or mental health professional with family law training — appointed to help separated parents resolve co-parenting disputes quickly and without court intervention. In BC, parenting coordinators are used in high-conflict cases where a parenting order is already in place but the parents continue to disagree about how to implement it.

Unlike a mediator, a parenting coordinator can make binding decisions on day-to-day parenting disputes if the parents cannot agree. This is a crucial distinction: a parenting coordinator is part mediator, part arbitrator.

When Do You Need a Parenting Coordinator?

A parenting coordinator is most useful when:

• You have a parenting order but you and your co-parent disagree about how to apply it (schedule changes, vacation timing, activities)
• Minor disputes keep escalating into lawyer calls or court applications
• Communication between you and your co-parent has broken down completely
• You are spending significant legal fees resolving disputes that could be handled more efficiently
• There is a history of high conflict that affects the children's wellbeing
• A judge or mediator has recommended a parenting coordinator

A parenting coordinator is not typically used for initial parenting order applications, for matters involving family violence risk assessments, or for changing the fundamental terms of a parenting order (those require the court).

How Does the Parenting Coordination Process Work in BC?

1. Appointment: Both parents agree to appoint a parenting coordinator, usually by signing a Parenting Coordination Agreement. Alternatively, a BC court can order parenting coordination in appropriate cases.
2. Orientation: The PC meets with each parent (and sometimes the children, if appropriate) to understand the family's history, the current parenting order, and the recurring disputes.
3. Mediation first: When a dispute arises, the PC first tries to help both parents reach their own agreement through a brief mediation process — often by phone or video within 24–48 hours.
4. Decision if no agreement: If the parents cannot agree, the PC makes a binding decision on the specific issue in dispute. This decision takes effect immediately and can be enforced as a court order.
5. Documentation: The PC documents all decisions, which creates a record that can be used if a pattern of non-compliance needs to be addressed in court.

What Can a Parenting Coordinator Decide?

A parenting coordinator can typically decide:

• Schedule adjustments (make-up time, holiday swaps, vacation dates)
• Logistics around school, extracurricular activities, and transportation
• Decisions about medical appointments, dental care, and day-to-day health decisions
• Communication protocols between the parents
• How to handle schedule disruptions (illness, travel, work changes)

A parenting coordinator generally cannot change the fundamental terms of the parenting order (such as primary residence), make orders about property, or decide matters that require a full court hearing with evidence.

How Much Does a Parenting Coordinator Cost in BC?

Parenting coordinators in BC typically charge $200–$400 per hour, with fees usually split equally between the parents unless the court orders otherwise. Annual costs for an active high-conflict file typically run $3,000–$8,000 per party per year — which, for most families, is far less than the legal fees they were spending on repeated court applications.

Many parents find that the cost of a parenting coordinator drops significantly in year two, as the process itself changes communication patterns and reduces the frequency of disputes.

Can a BC Court Order a Parenting Coordinator?

Yes. BC courts can order parenting coordination in appropriate high-conflict cases, even over one parent's objection. The court typically considers:

• Whether there is a pattern of repeated conflict
• Whether the children are being affected by the ongoing dispute
• Whether other dispute resolution mechanisms have been tried and failed
• Whether parenting coordination is financially accessible to both parents

If you are in court and the judge is considering a parenting coordination order, it is important to have legal representation to ensure the order is structured appropriately.

Parenting Coordinator vs. Mediator: What's the Difference?

| | Mediator | Parenting Coordinator |

|---|---|---|

| Makes binding decisions? | No | Yes (if no agreement) |

| Ongoing relationship | Usually short-term | Often 1–2 years |

| Scope | Any family law issue | Day-to-day parenting disputes only |

| Court can order it? | No (voluntary) | Yes |

| Best for | Initial settlement | High-conflict post-order disputes |

What to Look for in a BC Parenting Coordinator

• Training in both family law and conflict resolution
• Experience with high-conflict co-parenting
• Familiarity with BC's Family Law Act and Divorce Act
• Clear fee agreement and decision-making protocol
• Willingness to communicate with both parents' lawyers

Andrew Liggett BA JD CD of Sea to Sky Law™ holds the Law Society of BC Family Law ADR Professional designation — covering both Family Law Mediator and Family Law Arbitrator — and has over 35 years of BC family law experience. He works with high-conflict families across BC by video and phone.

*This article is general information. It is not legal advice. Contact Sea to Sky Law™ for advice specific to your situation.*

This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Meetings are by appointment only, by phone or secure video.