STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION _____CvD___________ _______________________________ Plaintiff, V. ) ) ) ) _______________________________ ) Defendant. ) ORDER APPOINTING PARENT COORDINATOR This case was heard on _______ before the undersigned Judge presiding over the ________ Civil Session of District Court for Guilford County on __________’s motion for the appointment of a Parent Coordinator. The following persons were present: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ FINDINGS OF FACTS 1. The Court is appointing a Parent Coordinator because _______________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2a. This order is entered by and with the consent of all parties. Or 2b. The court has entered a custody and visitation order which is temporary and subject to modification. Or 2c. The court has entered a custody and visitation order which contains temporary visitation provisions which are subject to modification. Or 2d. A motion to modify the custody and visitation provisions of a previous order (or a motion for contempt or other motion filed after the entry of a permanent order) has been filed. Consideration of that motion is deferred to afford the parties an opportunity to resolve their present differences with the assistance of a Parent Coordinator. Mediation did not produce an agreement (or has been waived). Appendix C, Form 8 (Rev.04/02) 1 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter and the parties and has the authority to enter this order. 2. It is in the children’s best interest and expedient to the administration of justice that a Parent Coordinator be appointed to assist the parents in resolving conflict in a way that is beneficial to the children. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that: 1. _________________ is hereby appointed as the Parent Coordinator. 2. The Parent Coordinator shall assist the parties in promoting the minor children’s best interests and needs. Specifically the Parent Coordinator shall: a. Assist the parents in implementing the parenting plan or custody and visitation order while containing or reducing conflict; b. Assist with the execution of residence and visitation plans specified in agreements or orders; c. Monitor the parenting plan and mediate disputes; d. Teach parents communication skills, principles of child development and children’s issues in divorce; e. Ensure that both parents maintain ongoing relationships with the children; f. Act as a temporary decision maker in the implementation of the parenting plan on any issue not specifically governed by the court order over which the parents reach an impasse, until further order; g. Provide attorneys and any unrepresented party with written summaries of developments in the case, as the Parent Coordinator deems necessary; h. Request a modification of the custody/visitation order if fundamental changes in the parenting plan are recommended; and i. Empower the parents to successfully resolve conflicts over their children on their own. 3. In carrying out the duties and responsibilities outlined above the Parent Coordinator shall be entitled to: a. Receive information directly from all therapists, attorneys and previous or current evaluators; b. Review and receive all information, records and reports concerning the children and the parties, including medical and educational, that may in his or her opinion be relevant to this case; c. Appear at court hearings to offer information and opinion by testimony or otherwise. 4. All agencies and the parties are hereby ordered to cooperate with the Parent Coordinator in the fulfillment of these responsibilities. 5. The Court is the Parent Coordinator’s client and no communications with the Parent Appendix C, Form 8 (Rev.04/02) 2 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com Coordinator are confidential or privileged. However, the Parent Coordinator shall not disclose any information about the children or the parties except to the extent necessary to fulfill the duties and responsibilities imposed by this order. 6. ___________________ is specifically directed to send to the Parent Coordinator by _____________ copies of all relevant pleadings, orders and evaluations. Each party shall execute any releases that are necessary for the Parent Coordinator to have access to persons and records outlined above. 7. The Parent Coordinator shall have the authority to talk to the children, if necessary, and to include in sessions the children, the parties’ attorneys, the guardian ad litem and/or the Custody Advocate at his or her discretion. Although no attorney, guardian ad litem or Custody Advocate may initiate ex parte communication with the coordinator unless all parties and attorneys agree to such communication, the Parent Coordinator shall have the authority to contact any of these persons directly at his or her discretion. Any written communication sent to the Parent Coordinator by an attorney, guardian ad litem or Custody Advocate shall be copied to all parties. 8. The Parent Coordinator shall not deal directly with financial issues unless requested to do so by both parties and unless the parties agree on a resolution. If the parties do not reach an agreement the parent coordinator will not offer a proposed solution, but will instead refer the issue to the attorneys. 9. Plaintiff shall pay _____% and Defendant shall pay ______% of the Parent Coordinator’s fees, including any retainer amount, for joint services. The Parent Coordinator shall have the discretion to charge either party separately for individual contacts with that party or joint contacts made necessary by that party’s behavior. The Court shall have the power to review and enforce the payment of the fees of the Parent Coordinator. 10. The Parent Coordinator shall not schedule initial appointments until this appointment order has been entered. 11. The Parent Coordinator shall continue to serve until relieved by court order. This the ______ day of _______, 20__. _________________________ District Court Judge Presiding Appendix C, Form 8 (Rev.04/02) 3 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com