High-conflict family law disputes have a way of grinding everyone down. The parents are exhausted, the children are caught in the middle, and the court docket fills up with cases that don’t need a judge’s attention. A parenting coordinator can change that dynamic. And when the parenting coordinator is also a family law attorney, you get someone who understands the legal framework and the human reality of what families are going through.
At Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., family law attorney Devin C. Shanley is a trained parenting coordinator. He has extensive experience handling family law matters, such as custody disputes, post-judgment modifications, and co-parenting breakdowns. He knows what fellow attorneys and clients face as they seek to resolve these issues. If you are a lawyer whose client would benefit from the input of a neutral, contact Attorney Shanley to get started. If you are a client who has been referred to a parenting coordinator, we hope this help explains the role and how it can help you and your family
What is a Parenting Coordinator?
A parenting coordinator (PC) is a neutral professional chosen to help parents resolve disputes that arise under an existing parenting plan or custody order.
The issues that come up are often small disputes that can quickly add up. Holiday schedule conflicts. Disagreements over extracurricular activities. Disputes about school decisions, medical care, or how transitions are handled. When two parents can’t have a conversation without it escalating, every one of those issues can become a potential court filing. A parenting coordinator can resolve them quickly and informally, without requiring their respective attorneys to file motions, schedule hearings, or wait for a court date.
Depending on the scope of the engagement, a parenting coordinator may also have limited authority to make recommendations or binding decisions on minor disputes when the parties cannot reach agreement. Under Wisconsin Statute § 802.12 the binding authority of a parent coordinator is subject to court review and defined by the court order or consent of the parents. This can minimize the day-to-day friction that makes co-parenting feel impossible.
When Parenting Coordination Makes Sense
Not every custody case needs a parenting coordinator. Parenting coordination is most valuable in high-conflict situations, particularly when the same disputes keep resurfacing, when one or both parents struggle to communicate without escalating, or when the children are showing signs of stress from ongoing parental conflict.
Attorneys may refer their clients to a PC in an attempt to help them resolve their ongoing or recurring issues. Parents can also agree to use a parenting coordinator without a court order, which gives both parties more control over the process and the scope of the PC’s role.
Why Choose Devin Shanley as a Parenting Coordinator
Devin earned his law degree from Hamline University School of Law and has been working with families in Wisconsin on custody, placement, and co-parenting matters for years. His experience speaks directly to his skills helping parents navigate day-to-day disputes outside of court as they co-parent their children.
Attorneys who refer clients to a parenting coordinator need someone who won’t become another source of conflict in the case. Attorney Shanley’s approach, grounded in genuine concern for the families involved and a clear understanding of the legal framework, makes him a resource that serves the interests of the children and the parents without adding friction to an already difficult situation.
Contact Peterson, Berk & Cross to Make a Referral
If you have a case where parenting coordination might help, contact us today to discuss whether Devin’s services as a certified parenting coordinator are a fit for your clients’ situation.