Parent Coordination Services in New York

When parents separate, disagreements often extend beyond the major legal issues before the court. Questions about parenting schedules, school events, extracurricular activities, medical care, travel, communication, and other day-to-day decisions can create ongoing conflict throughout the litigation—and long after a custody agreement or court order is entered.

Parent coordination offers parents a structured process for resolving these disputes more efficiently. Whether a custody case is still pending or a parenting plan is already in place, parent coordination can help families reduce conflict, improve communication, and minimize the need for repeated court intervention.

At Greenblatt Law LLC, we provide parent coordination services designed to help parents navigate difficult co-parenting relationships while keeping the focus where it belongs: on the children’s best interests.

Parent coordination is a child-focused process that helps parents resolve parenting disputes outside of the courtroom.

A parent coordinator serves as a neutral professional who assists parents in addressing disagreements, improving communication, and finding practical solutions to recurring parenting issues. The goal is not to advocate for either parent, but to help families move forward in a way that promotes stability and reduces conflict for their children.

Depending on the circumstances, parent coordination may be used while a custody or divorce case is pending or after a parenting agreement or custody order has been entered.

Custody litigation can take months—and sometimes longer—to resolve. During that time, parents must continue making countless decisions about their children.

Parent coordination can help address disputes involving:

· Temporary parenting schedules

· Exchanges and transportation

· School events and educational decisions

· Medical appointments and treatment

· Extracurricular activities

· Vacations and travel

· Communication between parents

· Day-to-day parenting issues that arise while the case is pending

Resolving these issues outside the courtroom can reduce unnecessary motion practice, lower legal expenses, and allow parents to focus on the larger issues that remain before the court.

Even after a custody matter is resolved, disagreements do not always end.

Parent coordination can help parents implement their parenting agreement, improve communication, and resolve disputes before they escalate into additional litigation. For many families, ongoing parent coordination provides a practical framework for addressing recurring issues while promoting consistency and stability for their children.

Parent coordination can:

· Improve communication between parents

· Reduce conflict

· Minimize the need for repeated court appearances

· Help parents resolve disputes more efficiently

· Encourage consistent implementation of parenting agreements

· Reduce litigation costs

· Promote healthier co-parenting relationships

· Keep children out of parental conflict whenever possible

The objective is not to eliminate disagreements altogether, but to provide parents with an effective process for managing them constructively.

At Greenblatt Law LLC, we bring a unique perspective to parent coordination. Our attorneys are both experienced family law litigators and trained mediators.

Because we regularly handle custody and parenting disputes in New York courts, we understand the legal principles that govern these cases, the practical realities of litigation, and the factors that courts and Attorneys for the Child often consider when evaluating parenting issues. That experience allows us to help parents assess disputes realistically and focus on solutions that are likely to serve their children’s best interests.

At the same time, our mediation training shapes the way we approach conflict. Rather than escalating disagreements, we help parents communicate more effectively, identify common ground, and develop practical, durable solutions. Our goal is not to “win” a dispute for either parent, but to reduce conflict, improve co-parenting, and help families move forward.

By combining litigation experience with mediation skills, we are able to offer a balanced approach that is both legally informed and resolution-oriented.

Can parent coordination begin before my custody case is over?
Yes. Parent coordination can be beneficial while a custody or divorce case is pending. Parents often need assistance resolving day-to-day parenting disputes during litigation, allowing them to avoid repeated court intervention while the larger legal issues are being resolved.

Is parent coordination only for high-conflict parents?
Not necessarily. While it is often used in high-conflict cases, parent coordination can benefit any parents who experience recurring disagreements or communication challenges and are looking for a more efficient way to resolve parenting issues.

Is the parent coordinator the child’s attorney?
No. A parent coordinator is a neutral professional who works with both parents. The parent coordinator does not represent either parent or the child.

Can parent coordination replace going to court?
Parent coordination cannot resolve every issue, and it does not replace the court’s authority. However, it can help parents resolve many day-to-day parenting disputes without the delay, expense, and stress of litigation.

In some cases, parents voluntarily agree that if they reach an impasse on certain parenting issues, they will first return to the parent coordinator before seeking court intervention. Other final parenting agreements may designate the parent coordinator as a tie-breaker for specified disputes, allowing the coordinator to make a recommendation or decision within the scope of the parties’ agreement. These provisions can help families resolve disagreements more efficiently while reducing the need for repeated court appearances.