New Jersey Courts are vested with the authority to appoint a Parent Coordinator in individual cases. Parent Coordinators can be either therapists, licensed clinical social workers or any other person (including an attorney) who has experience in being so appointed in family law cases. In custody cases or cases involving parenting time issues where the parties cannot agree or are constantly in conflict (i.e. addressing regular parenting time issues, vacation parenting time, children’s extra-curricular activities, etc.), the implementation of a Parent Coordinator would likely benefit your case.
Despite the fact that the New Jersey Supreme Court terminated the Pilot Program for the appointment of Parent Coordinators, New Jersey Courts are still empowered to continue to appoint Parent Coordinators in individual cases. Family Part Judges may continue to appoint Parent Coordinators in any vicinage. However, individuals appointed as Parent Coordinators will need to be qualified to serve in the role either by consent of the parties or by the court in the same manner as other experts. See Lane v. Lane, 2013 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 774. See also Notice to the Bar “Parenting Coordinators – Conclusion of Pilot Program; Continuing Authority to Appoint in Individual Cases.”