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RPM Law – Maryland Parenting Coordination Attorneys Helping Families Move Forward

Parenting Coordination Attorneys Maryland

RPM Law

We are pleased to announce that Samantha Posner, a partner at RPM Law, has become a certified parenting coordinator! This certification reflects our firm’s commitment to providing innovative, child-centered solutions for families through non-adversarial dispute resolution. Parenting coordination is a confidential or non-confidential process ordered by a court or agreed upon privately designed to help parents reduce conflict between them and create a peaceful future for their children.

  • Stacey and her team are the best in Annapolis for family law.

    Daniel


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It represents a shift in the family law paradigm focusing on creating a positive future for children rather than re-litigating past disputes. Ms. Posner’s unique qualifications as a seasoned litigator and certified parenting coordinator allow her to bring both legal knowledge and an understanding of the psychological dynamics of families to this important role.

If you are contemplating divorce, call our lawyer at (443) 333-4343 to discuss the options that are available to you under Maryland state law

Understanding the Role and Impact of a Parenting Coordinator

The Parenting Coordination process is a collaborative intervention that combines assessment, education, case management, and conflict resolution. When authorized, the coordinator also has limited decision-making powers. A Parenting Coordinator (PC) is appointed by a court or private agreement to assist parents in implementing, modifying, and complying with their parenting plan. Unlike therapy or litigation, parenting coordination focuses on action and the future.

The PC serves as a buffer and interpreter for children, protecting them from ongoing conflict and helping parents translate court orders into daily reality. This includes resolving disputes over holidays, activities, communication, and minor changes to the plan to prevent misunderstandings from escalating to court.

The Multifaceted Functions of a Parenting Coordinator

The value of a PC lies in their ability to wear multiple hats for the benefit of the family system:

  • Assessment & Education: The PC assesses family dynamics, communication patterns, and specific triggers of conflict. Based on this assessment, they educate parents about the developmental needs of their children and the impact of parental conflict on their well-being. They also provide information on effective co-parenting strategies that are business-like in nature.
  • Case Management & Conflict Resolution: The PC helps manage practical aspects of shared parenting, such as logistics. They facilitate discussions to resolve disputes that may arise and can assist with drafting amendments to the parenting plan in case of unforeseen circumstances. This proactive approach often breaks the cycle of relitigation and saves families tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees. By providing a neutral forum for discussion, the PC helps reduce tension before it escalates.
  • Collaboration & Referrals: Parenting Coordinators can work with other professionals who are involved with the family, such as therapists, school counselors, pediatricians, and attorneys. They can also help with referrals to outside providers like individual therapists, parenting counselors, or addiction specialists when needed, ensuring that the family has a well-rounded support system.
  • Decision-Making (With Authorization): In many court orders, parents are granted limited decision-making authority over specific, predetermined issues if they reach an impasse after making a good-faith attempt to resolve the issue. This binding decision-making power, although carefully defined, provides a critical “tie-breaker” mechanism that allows families to move forward without the need for court intervention. This aspect is particularly beneficial for parents, as it maintains decision-making within the family, guided by a child-centered expert, rather than ceding control to a judge who only sees the family during brief, high-pressure hearings.

The Path Forward: Integrating Coordination for Holistic Family Advocacy

At RPM Law, our parenting coordination service represents the evolution of holistic family law advocacy. We understand that a court order is just the beginning, and its successful implementation ensures the well-being of a child. By offering this service, we complete the care continuum for our clients, from aggressive litigation when necessary to skilled negotiation for settlement and now to professional support for coparenting. This allows us to be lifelong legal partners for families, addressing not only the legal dissolution of a relationship but also the ongoing health of the family system it creates. Whether we serve as your legal counsel or your appointed parenting coordinator, our goal remains constant: to minimize trauma during family transitions and champion the best interests of children at every stage and in every forum.

Furthermore, engaging a parenting coordinator is a strategic investment in the future of your family that yields dividends beyond the resolution of immediate conflicts. In high-conflict separation situations, children often become unwitting participants in a battle for control, where parental energy and financial resources are diverted into legal battles rather than focused on the emotional and developmental needs of the children. Parenting coordination systematically breaks this destructive cycle by establishing a neutral authority who can intervene in conflicts and redirect parental attention towards practical problem-solving.

This process goes beyond simply enforcing a custody schedule. It fundamentally reshapes the parental relationship by teaching former partners how to communicate through structured protocols instead of emotional reactions. Over time, this can transform a toxic relationship into a functional partnership, even if it is not friendly. The coordinator’s ability to make timely decisions on minor issues that are focused on the child helps to prevent the accumulation of resentment that can lead to major court battles. For children, this means less overheard arguing, less anxiety about transitions, and the invaluable gift of seeing their parents working together, even imperfectly, on their behalf. This stability created by this process directly correlates with improved academic performance, better relationships with peers, and a reduced risk of mental health problems in children.

  • I am very grateful that I met Stacey Rice. Divorce can be very stressful. Stacey and her team do a fantastic job of helping and protecting their clients. Everyone on her team was very helpful and professional throughout the entire process. I highly recommend this firm.

    George

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Is Your Family a Candidate for Parenting Coordination?

Parenting coordination is not for every separated family. It is specifically designed for high-conflict cases where ongoing disputes are harming the children, despite existing court orders. Common indicators include:

  • Frequent, hostile communication between parents (angry emails/texts, arguments at exchanges).
  • Repeated violations of the parenting plan or court orders.
  • An inability to cooperate on child-related decisions, leading to stalemates.
  • A history of multiple court motions and modifications (“serial litigators”).
  • Children showing signs of anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues linked to parental conflict.
  • Allegations of parental alienation or gatekeeping behaviors.

Engaging in this process demonstrates a parent’s commitment to prioritizing their child’s emotional well-being over the desire to win in disputes with the other parent. This requires a willingness to cooperate in good faith, with the guidance and support provided by the parenting coordinator (PC). For courts, recommending or requiring parenting coordination is often seen as a more effective approach than finding a parent in contempt of court, as it addresses the underlying issues that lead to non-compliance instead of simply punishing the behavior.

The RPM Law Advantage: Legal Insight Meets Conflict Resolution Expertise

Samantha Posner’s certification brings a unique advantage to families in Maryland. As a family law attorney with extensive experience, she has an unparalleled understanding of legal standards and court procedures that underlie custody decisions. This enables her to guide parents towards what is legally viable and defensible, ensuring that solutions are both practical for families and consistent with the law.

Her legal background allows her to draft precise and enforceable agreements that seamlessly integrate with court orders, as well as provide clear reports when required. Her expertise bridges the gap between psychological goals of conflict resolution and the legal requirement of maintaining a workable parenting plan.

Do not let ongoing conflicts determine your child’s experience of their family. If you need skilled and certified parenting support or would like to learn more about how this process can bring peace and stability to your family, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you create a healthier and more cooperative co-parenting environment for your child’s sake.

For advice specific to your situation, call (443) 333-4343 to schedule a consultation with one of our Annapolis divorce attorneys.

Common Parenting Coordination FAQ

What exactly is a Parenting Coordinator (PC)?

A Parenting Coordinator is a qualified neutral professional, often a licensed attorney or mental health professional, appointed to help separated or divorced parents implement and follow their parenting plan. The PC acts as a mediator, educator, and, if authorized, a limited decision-maker to resolve day-to-day disputes regarding children, with the primary goal of shielding children from parental conflict.

How is a Parenting Coordinator appointed?

A PC is typically appointed by a court order during or after a divorce or custody case, often when the court finds a high level of ongoing conflict between parents. Parents can also mutually agree to hire a PC privately through a consent agreement. In either case, the scope of the PC’s authority and the terms of engagement are defined in the appointing document.

What kind of issues can a Parenting Coordinator help with?

A PC focuses on practical, child-focused disputes that arise in co-parenting. Common issues include: interpreting the parenting schedule (holidays, vacations, pick-up/drop-off times), communication protocols between parents, disagreements over extracurricular activities, minor medical decisions, and managing shared expenses related to the children. They do not handle major modifications to custody or support.

Can a Parenting Coordinator make binding decisions?

Yes, but only if specifically granted that authority in the court order or consent agreement. The PC’s role can range from facilitative (mediating to help parents reach their own agreement) to decision-making (making a binding decision if parents cannot agree). Any decision-making power is limited to the specific issues outlined in the appointment order, such as scheduling conflicts.

What are the main benefits of using a Parenting Coordinator?

The key benefits are reducing conflict, providing stability for children, and avoiding constant returns to court. A PC helps parents develop better communication skills, offers timely resolutions to recurring disputes, and saves significant time, legal fees, and emotional stress compared to litigating every minor disagreement.

How is this different from traditional mediation or therapy?

Unlike a mediator, who helps settle a specific dispute, a PC provides ongoing case management over time. Unlike a therapist, a PC’s focus is not on individual emotional healing but on the functional co-parenting relationship and implementing the parenting plan. The process is not confidential, as the PC may report to the court.

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