Parenting Coordinators in Nevada: A Guide for Parents

Co-parenting after a divorce or separation can sometimes feel like navigating a ship through stormy seas. Even with the best intentions, disagreements about schedules, activities, and parenting decisions can create turbulence that affects the entire family—especially your children. Parenting coordination is a resource that can help calm these waters, providing structure and resolution when conflicts arise.

What Is a Parenting Coordinator?

A Parenting Coordinator (PC) is a neutral third-party professional who helps separated or divorced parents manage and resolve disputes about child custody or visitation outside of court. (source) Think of a PC as a GPS for your co-parenting journey—they won’t drive the car, but they can help you find the best route when you’ve reached a roadblock.

Parenting coordinators provide a unique hybrid of mediation and arbitration services specifically designed for high-conflict parenting situations. They act as:

• Mediators who facilitate communication between parents
• Educators who teach conflict resolution skills
• Decision-makers who can break deadlocks on minor issues (when authorized)
• Interpreters who clarify parenting plan provisions
• Monitors who track compliance with court orders

The ultimate goal of a parenting coordinator is to reduce friction between parents and create a more stable environment for children. Like a lightning rod that safely redirects destructive energy, a PC diverts conflicts away from the children and into a structured resolution process. You no longer need to call your divorce attorney every time things get rough–you call your Parenting Coordinator.

When Might You Need a Parenting Coordinator?

Not every divorced family needs a parenting coordinator. However, they can be invaluable in certain situations, particularly after a divorce or separation when parents continue to experience ongoing conflict. Consider a PC if you recognize any of these situations:

High-Conflict Co-Parenting

If you and your co-parent struggle to have civil conversations about your children without arguments erupting, a PC may help. Just as a translator helps people who speak different languages understand each other, a PC can help parents who seem to be speaking different languages when it comes to raising their children.

Frequent Returns to Court

When minor disagreements repeatedly escalate to court proceedings, a PC offers a more efficient alternative. If you find yourself filing motions over issues like exchange times, extracurricular activities, or holiday schedules, a PC can address these matters without the delay and expense of court hearings.

Communication Breakdowns

If direct communication with your co-parent consistently leads to misunderstandings, hostility, or stonewalling, a PC can serve as a buffer. They can facilitate productive conversations—like a bridge connecting two islands that would otherwise remain isolated.

Inability to Agree on Day-to-Day Decisions

When routine decisions about your child’s life become battlegrounds—such as medical appointments, school events, or activity participation—a PC can help establish protocols for making these decisions efficiently.

Implementing a New or Complex Custody Order

A PC can be particularly helpful during the transition to a new custody arrangement, working like a project manager to ensure the plan unfolds as intended while addressing inevitable hiccups along the way.

How Parenting Coordination Works in Nevada

In Nevada, parenting coordination is a voluntary process that requires the consent of both parents, either through mutual agreement or court order. The coordinator in Nevada is usually called a “Special Master” or “referee” depending on what kind of case you have and what county you’re in.  For clarity’s sake, we will keep using the “Parenting Coordinator” (PC) terminology. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

Appointment Process

1. Initial Referral: Parents may agree to use a PC, or a judge may recommend one during divorce proceedings or subsequent custody disputes.
2. Selection: Parents can jointly select a PC or ask the court to appoint one from a list of qualified professionals.
3. Establishment of Authority: The scope of the PC’s authority is clearly defined in a court order or written agreement, similar to establishing the boundaries on a playing field before a game begins.
4. Fee Arrangement: Parents determine how the PC’s fees will be shared, typically proportionate to income or split equally.

The Parenting Coordinator’s Powers

In Nevada, a PC’s authority is derived from the agreement that appoints them. This may include the power to:

• Facilitate communication between parents
• Interpret existing court orders (but not modify them)
• Make minor decisions within the scope of the existing parenting plan
• Recommend strategies for implementing the custody arrangement
• Suggest resources like counseling or parenting classes
• Report non-compliance to the court if necessary

However, it’s important to understand that a PC cannot:

• Change custody or significantly alter a parenting plan
• Make major decisions about the child’s education, religion, or healthcare
• Enforce court orders through contempt powers
• Modify child support

Think of a PC as having the authority to adjust the sails of your co-parenting boat, but not to change its fundamental course—that power remains with the parents and the court.

A Day in the Life: How Parenting Coordinators Resolve Disputes

Let’s walk through a typical scenario to illustrate how a parenting coordinator might help resolve a common co-parenting conflict:

The Situation: Your child has been invited to join a competitive soccer team that practices twice weekly, including during some of your co-parent’s scheduled time. You’re enthusiastic about the opportunity, but your co-parent objects because it interferes with their parenting time and they’re concerned about the commitment level.

Without a PC: This disagreement might lead to hostile text exchanges, involve the child in the conflict, and potentially result in a motion filed with the court—taking weeks or months to resolve while creating tension for everyone involved.

With a PC: Here’s how the process might unfold:

1. You contact the PC about the situation, who then reaches out to your co-parent for their perspective.
2. The PC schedules a meeting (joint or separate) within days rather than the weeks it would take to get a court hearing.
3. During the meeting, the PC helps both parents express their concerns and desires:
   • Your interest in supporting your child’s athletic development and passion
   • Your co-parent’s concern about losing valuable time and the demanding schedule
4. The PC helps brainstorm solutions that address both parents’ concerns, such as:
   • Adjusting the visitation schedule to ensure the co-parent doesn’t lose overall time
   • Creating a transportation plan that shares the burden equally
   • Establishing a trial period to assess the impact on the child and family schedule
   • Setting conditions for continued participation based on the child’s academic performance and enjoyment
5. The PC documents the agreement, which becomes the roadmap for handling this activity.

This approach is like having a skilled negotiator help you and your co-parent create a win-win solution, rather than the win-lose outcome that often results from court proceedings.

Benefits of Using a Parenting Coordinator

Parenting coordination offers numerous advantages for families navigating high-conflict co-parenting situations:

Faster Conflict Resolution

Unlike court proceedings that can take months to schedule, a PC can typically address issues within days or weeks. This responsiveness is like having a 24-hour repair service for your co-parenting relationship—problems get fixed before they cause extensive damage.

Cost Efficiency

While there are fees associated with parenting coordination, they’re generally far less than the cost of custody attorney fees and court filings for repeated disputes. Think of it as preventive maintenance that helps you avoid costly repairs down the road.

Reduced Emotional Impact on Children

By resolving conflicts quickly and privately, children are shielded from the stress of ongoing parental disputes. A PC helps create a buffer zone around your children—like an umbrella protecting them from the storm of adult conflict.

Improved Communication Skills

Over time, working with a PC can help parents develop better communication and conflict resolution skills, potentially reducing the need for intervention in the future. It’s similar to working with a coach who helps you develop muscles you’ll use long after the training ends.

Consistent Application of the Parenting Plan

A PC ensures that the intentions behind your parenting plan are honored even as circumstances change, maintaining the spirit of the agreement even when the letter of the agreement doesn’t address every situation.

Selecting the Right Parenting Coordinator

Choosing the right PC is crucial for successful parenting coordination. Look for these qualities and credentials:

Professional Background

PCs typically come from fields such as:

• Family law
• Mental health (psychology, counseling, social work)
• Mediation
• Child development

The ideal background depends on your family’s specific needs—like choosing a specialist based on your particular health concern.

Training and Experience

Effective PCs have specialized training in:

• Conflict resolution
• Family dynamics
• Child development
• Domestic violence recognition
• Substance abuse awareness

Ask potential PCs about their experience with cases similar to yours, particularly if there are unique elements like long-distance parenting or special needs children.

Personal Fit

The PC will be deeply involved in your family’s life, so consider:

• Communication style
• Approach to conflict
• Availability and responsiveness
• Fee structure
• Location and meeting options (in-person vs. virtual)

Meeting with potential PCs before making a selection is like test-driving a car—it gives you a feel for how comfortable the relationship will be over the long term.

Getting Started with a Parenting Coordinator

If you believe a parenting coordinator could benefit your family, here are the steps to initiate the process:

1. Discuss with your co-parent if this is something you both might agree to try (though this isn’t always possible in high-conflict situations)
2. Consult with your family law attorney about whether parenting coordination is appropriate for your situation
3. Research qualified professionals in your area who serve as parenting coordinators
4. Draft a parenting coordination agreement that clearly outlines:
   • The PC’s role and authority
   • How decisions will be made
   • Fee arrangements
   • Term of appointment (typically 1-2 years)
   • Process for removing or replacing the PC if necessary
5. Submit the agreement to the court for approval if required
6. Schedule an initial joint meeting to establish protocols and priorities

Like laying the foundation for a house, this careful preparation at the beginning creates a solid structure for successful parenting coordination.

Is Parenting Coordination Right for Your Family?

Parenting coordination is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Consider these factors when deciding if it’s appropriate for your situation:

Good Candidates for Parenting Coordination:

• Parents with a history of frequent disagreements about day-to-day child-rearing issues
• Families where children are caught in the middle of parental conflicts
• Co-parents who struggle with direct communication
• Cases with repeated court filings over relatively minor issues
• Parents willing to try an alternative approach to conflict resolution

Situations Where Parenting Coordination May Not Be Appropriate:

• Cases involving untreated substance abuse
• Situations with active domestic violence concerns
• Parents unwilling to respect the PC’s role or recommendations
• Families with severe financial constraints that would make the service burdensome

How Kelleher and Kelleher Can Help

At Kelleher and Kelleher, we understand the challenges of co-parenting after divorce or separation. Our experienced family law attorneys can:

• Help you determine if parenting coordination is right for your situation
• Connect you with qualified parenting coordinators in Nevada
• Draft or review parenting coordination agreements
• Assist with incorporating parenting coordination into your custody orders
• Provide guidance on working effectively with your PC

We believe that reducing conflict between parents is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your children during and after a divorce. Parenting coordination is one tool that can help achieve this goal, creating a more peaceful path forward for your entire family.

Contact us today to discuss whether parenting coordination might be a helpful resource for your family’s unique situation.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Family law varies by jurisdiction, and individual cases may have unique factors. Always consult with a qualified family law attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.