Stewart Family Law provides compassionate and practical legal advice during each step of your divorce.
Even after parenting arrangements are finalised, some parents still struggle with ongoing conflict or cannot resolve issues that arise with their co-parenting. This is often due to ongoing parental conflict or different parenting styles and, at times, will require a neutral third party to address.
A parenting coordinator acts as an intermediary for parents in these situations, assisting them in reducing conflict and remaining focused on the best interests of their children. Parents with consent orders or a parenting plan, who struggle to manage communications and logistics or reach agreements related to their children often choose to engage a parenting coordinator, or may need to do so on Court order.
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A Parenting Coordinator (PC) assists separated parents in communicating effectively, managing conflict, and solving disputes related to parenting issues following a Final Court Order or Parenting Plan.
Parenting Coordinators have specialised training in family law, child development, and conflict resolution. The goal of a parenting coordinator is to promote cooperation between parents and improve outcomes for the children involved.
A parenting coordinator works with families who already have orders or a parenting plan in place, helping them meet their responsibilities as co-parents if they cannot do so on their own. A parenting coordinator may be appointed by the Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia (under the Family Law Act 1975 Sect 13C) or can be engaged privately if both parents agree to do so.
Unlike family lawyers, they are engaged in helping the two parties implement their parenting plan or orders and do not act on behalf of one parent only.
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Parenting Coordinators encourage effective communication between parents, which is necessary for successful co-parenting. They can assist parents in making better decisions and establishing consistent rules and expectations for their child/ren. By fostering cooperation and reducing hostility, the Parenting Coordination process can reduce the stress created by co-parenting responsibilities and conflict, thus enabling parents to focus on the best interests of their child/ren.
At Stewart Family Law, we understand that a Court Order or Parenting Plan does not always end the conflict and stress that parents are experiencing. Nor does it provide for all circumstances that arise when parenting children with an ex-partner.
With the assistance of Parenting Coordinators (PC) Judy Stewart and Temika Slee, parents can resolve disputes about implementing their Parenting Orders or Parenting Plans and avoid further costly and stressful litigation.
At Stewart Family Law, we have dedicated breakout rooms available for no extra charge. We also offer telephone and videoconferencing appointments. Our fees are very competitive, and the parties usually meet the cost of Parenting Coordination equally.
Judy Stewart is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and Parenting Coordinator. After an earlier career in social work, Judy has practised exclusively in Family Law since 2003. An experienced mediator and a collaborative law practitioner, Judy is known for taking a conciliatory approach to resolving disputes and actively encourages effective co-parenting.
Temika Slee has practised exclusively in family law since 2012 and is both an Accredited Family Law Specialist and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Temika chose to specialise in Family Law because it provides a real opportunity to genuinely help families during an emotional and difficult time. Temika sees Parenting Coordination as another valuable tool to assist families to resolve matters and avoid conflict.
Once the parents have signed our Parenting Coordination Agreement, we will meet with each parent individually to gather information about family dynamics, the issues in dispute, and the children’s needs. The parents should allow approximately one hour for the intake session.
The intake sessions are then followed by joint sessions conducted on a monthly basis. The parents may attend joint sessions together or separately if there are safety concerns. During the joint sessions, our Parenting Coordinators can provide guidance to the parents on effective co-parenting strategies, communication techniques, conflict resolution skills and child development issues. In addition to the joint sessions, the parents may contact us at any time with concerns or issues that we can raise with the other parent.
The parents will continue to attend joint sessions until they can be moved to an ‘as required’ basis. Then, the parents can choose to disengage and manage co-parenting independently without the assistance of a Parenting Coordinator.
The format and duration of the Parenting Coordination process will depend on the Court Order or the agreement between the parents.
Contact us to arrange Parenting Coordination with Judy Stewart or Temika Slee.
We can reach out to the other parent and enquire if they agree to our appointment as Parenting Coordinator; however, we are unable to progress Parenting Coordination further until the other parent confirms they agree to our appointment.
Given we must remain impartial in our role as Parenting Coordinator we cannot provide you with advice in relation to the next steps if one parent does not wish to proceed. You may wish to seek independent legal advice in relation to next steps.
The Parenting Coordination process is especially helpful for parents who:
Parenting Coordination differs from other dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, in both purpose and process. Unlike mediation, which typically involves a one-off session to help parties reach a new agreement, Parenting Coordination focuses on assisting parents to manage ongoing issues related to an existing Parenting Plan or Court Order. The aim is to facilitate communication and help resolve disputes as they arise, without the need for repeated Court or legal intervention.
A Parenting Coordinator does not have the authority to alter an existing Parenting Plan or Court Order. Their role is to assist in the practical implementation of those arrangements, while helping to minimise conflict between the parents. If you are seeking to change the care arrangements in your current Parenting Plan or Court Order, mediation may be more appropriate than Parenting Coordination.
If we are appointed as your Parenting Coordinator, we cannot act as your mediator. Likewise, if we act as your mediator, we cannot subsequently provide Parenting Coordination services.
Parenting Coordination can only be conducted once there is a Court Order or Parenting Plan, as the purpose is to work together to cooperatively implement the terms of the Order or Parenting Plan in the best interests of the child/ren.
We work with parents who have a Parenting Plan, Interim Order or Final Order in place.
While Parenting Coordination may be Court-ordered, parents can also voluntarily choose to engage a Parenting Coordinator to improve their co-parenting relationship and resolve disputes outside the Court system. Before you can engage a Parenting Coordinator, the other parent will also need to agree to their appointment, and there must be a current Parenting Plan or Court Order.
No. A Parenting Coordinator must remain impartial. If we have previously acted as your mediator or legal representative, we are unable to act as your Parenting Coordinator.
You will need to provide our office with a copy of your Parenting Plan or Court Order.
Once the parents have agreed to appoint Judy or Temika as Parenting Coordinator and signed our Parenting Coordination Agreement, each parent will complete a separate intake session. You should allow approximately one hour for the intake session. These are followed by joint sessions as required. Our usual policy is that all sessions are conducted by Microsoft Teams.
We confirm Judy has availability for one-hour appointments most mornings at 8:00am or afternoon at 5:00pm onwards. Judy can also conduct sessions during business hours, subject to negotiation and availability. Temika has availability to conduct sessions during business hours.
Before your intake session, please provide us with a copy of your Court Order or Parenting Plan. You may also wish to write down the key parenting issues or concerns you’d like to discuss however this is not a requirement.
Every matter is unique. We can facilitate sessions as often or as little as required. Joint sessions typically occur once per month and are 60 minutes in length but may be required more or less frequently. The parents may organise extra sessions, jointly or individually, with the Parenting Coordinator.
Individual sessions can occur at any time provided that the requesting parent meets the cost of the appointment in advance. Individual sessions are not confidential, and our Parenting Coordinators may forward a joint email following the session outlining the issues discussed. The parent who has not requested an individual session will be provided with the opportunity to also schedule an individual session.
We can conduct Parenting Coordination sessions by shuttle or with both parents in the same Microsoft Teams meeting room. You can discuss your preference with us during your individual intake session.
You can attend sessions with us if you are based outside of Brisbane. Our usual policy is that all sessions are conducted by Microsoft Teams.
The cost of Parenting Coordination with Judy Stewart is $500 per hour plus GST.
The cost of Parenting Coordination with Temika Slee is $400 per hour plus GST.
Upon our appointment, we require the parents to pay a retainer to cover the cost of each party’s intake session. Ongoing costs of joint sessions are shared between the parents (unless otherwise agreed).
Unless an Order states otherwise, or there is an alternative agreement, our role is typically for two years. Parenting Coordination can be terminated at any time by either parent. If we are appointed by Court Order, our appointment can only be terminated by further Order of the Court.
Parenting Coordinators can assist parents to resolve disputes regarding:
The Parenting Coordinator’s role is not to change an existing Parenting Order or Parenting Plan but rather to assist in implementing any Court Order or Parenting Plan with as little conflict between the parents as possible. Parenting issues subject to ongoing litigation or negotiation cannot be negotiated at Parenting Coordination sessions.
Parenting Coordination is limited to parenting matters. We cannot assist with financial settlements, child support or property-related disputes. You may wish to seek legal advice or mediation for those issues.
If efforts to negotiate a resolution of an issue are unsuccessful, then the Parenting Coordinator may provide the parents with non-binding suggestions regarding the resolution the Parenting Coordinator considers to be in the best interests of the children. The Parenting Coordinator’s direction will relate to the implementation (not the amendment) of any existing Parenting Orders or Parenting Plan. Written reasons for the direction may be provided and will form part of the non-confidential record of the Parenting Coordination process.
The Parenting Coordinator may suggest involving a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) or seeking legal advice. In some cases, Court intervention may be necessary, but often the goal is to avoid this by resolving matters more efficiently and cooperatively.
We cannot progress Parenting Coordination if one parent refuses to attend sessions. We must remain impartial and cannot provide you with legal advice. You may wish to speak with an independent legal representative regarding your options and the next steps.
Parenting Coordination can be suspended at any time. If both parents wish to resume Parenting Coordination later, we can schedule new sessions, subject to availability. In some matters, an updated Parenting Coordination Agreement and/or individual intake session may be required.
Parenting Coordination is not confidential. Our Parenting Coordinators may share information with the parents or with their legal representatives, if any.
Our file will be available to be used as evidence in any subsequent and related Court proceedings, if ordered by the Court. Parenting Coordinators may also disclose information to third parties if they have a reasonable suspicion that a child/ren may be subject to harm or there are threats made against the other parent.
If attempts to negotiate a resolution fail, the Parenting Coordinator may offer suggestions or options that they believe are in the best interests of your child/ren. These suggestions are not legally binding on the parents. The reasons for any recommendation may be produced to the Court in any future litigation between the parents.
Our Parenting Coordinators will not prepare a report at the request of the parties or their legal representatives. Our Parenting Coordinators will only prepare a report at the request of the Court, and the report will be provided directly to the Court (not to the parties or their legal representatives) or as otherwise directed by the Court.
Our Parenting Coordinators will only give evidence if required by the Court. Records from Parenting Coordination may be provided to the Court if subpoenaed or required under a Court Order.
Our Parenting Coordinators will provide both parents with a written summary following each joint session. We also keep written notes of each session.
These may include a summary of the topics discussed and any outcomes. These notes may be produced in Court in any subsequent litigation between the parents.
For sessions conducted via phone or video conferencing, the Parenting Coordinator, the parents, and any other person attending the session must:
If the Parenting Coordinator believes it would be helpful, the Parenting Coordinator may speak to the child and contact third parties, including but not limited to the child, teachers, medical care providers, carers, or lawyers, and may review any relevant documents that, in the Parenting Coordinator’s opinion, would assist the parenting coordination process.
The parents will need to sign any necessary authorities for the release of requested information. The Parenting Coordinator will advise the parents before contacting anyone associated with either parent or their child/ren.
“I wanted to let you know, Temika – how very grateful I have been to have you represent me over the past few years. You have certainly seen my worst side and kept me sane when I have really needed it! Your professionalism is second to none and I couldn’t have asked for any one better to be on my side! So from the very bottom of my heart thank you!!”
– KD
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Level 2/231 North Quay, Brisbane City, QLD 4000
Mailing Address
PO Box 12570 George Street Brisbane QLD 4003
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