On the importance of understanding the PC Agreement

Parenting Coordination is a dispute resolution process designed primarily for parents who experience frequent or protracted disputes around parenting. It involves a professional (the Parenting Coordinator) assisting the parents in resolving these disputes, hopefully through mediation but if that does not produce settlement, through arbitration.

The terms of the relationship between the Parenting Coordinator and the parents are set out in the Agreement for Parenting Coordination Services and Arbitration ("PC Agreement"). This contract for services is many pages in length because it covers a whole host of important issues; aspects of the parents' relationship with the PC. Topics include the PC's scope of authority, confidentiality (and here, the terms will differ depending on whether the PC process is "open" or "closed"), billing, duty to report, duration of appointment, terms of cooperation with PC, and others. 

If you are a parent about to enter into the PC process, it is fundamentally important that you review thoroughly and understand the terms of the PC Agreement. It will serve as a roadmap for your relationship with the other parent and the PC, in the context of Parenting Coordination, for the agreed-to duration. In fact, I strongly recommend that each parent review the Agreement with their lawyer (or a lawyer they hire for this purpose) and obtain independent legal advice on it. 

Yes, a lot of the language is technical - no matter how hard we, PCs, try to simplify it. Some concepts need to be expressed in legal or technical terms - so they are not subject to interpretation later, and so they carry intended consequences. The PC Agreement is "pithy" at first glance - long and technical-sounding. Your lawyer will explain the content to you in a way that is accessible and yet, alerts you to the rights and obligations you have as a participant in the PC process. "I don't understand any of that stuff but I assume it's fine" is not the right approach in this instance. The terms of the PC contract impact you, for the duration of the contract and in some instances even further. Understanding what it says, and what consequences it has for you, is very important as you are preparing to enter the process. 

If you have any questions about our parenting coordination services, please contact Carolyn and she will answer them for you.

©AJJakubowska