An alternative to running back to Court

In high-conflict separations or divorces, parenting issues may arise with greater frequencies that continue to bring parents back to Court for resolution. This strategy is both untimely and expensive. An alternate strategy to manage such disputes as they arise is through the use of a Parenting Coordinator.

A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral person to whom parents can turn when in dispute on matters relating to the children. Parents may access the service of a Parenting Coordinator in a more timely fashion and costs are almost always less than going to Court.

The role of the Parenting Coordinator is to help parents come to a successful resolution between themselves.

However, the Parenting Coordinator may also be empowered by the parents or by Court Order, to make recommendations binding on the parents in the event they are unable to agree on solutions. If either parent feels there is sufficient reason to challenge the recommendations of the Parenting Coordinator, they still have to recourse to the Court, but may be subject to costs if the Court supports the recommendations of the Parenting Coordinator.

The Parenting Coordinator cannot change the Order of a Court, but may assist the parents in implementing strategies, consistent withCourt Orders.

Typically to commence service, the Parenting Coordinator must become acquainted with the parents, the children, the history of the parental conflict, and matters of current concern. While the actual process is at the discretion of the Parenting Coordinator or service agency, the process is likely to include a review of prior reports and/or Court documents, individual meetings with parents, meetings with the children and then joint meetings with the parents unless this is contra-indicated as in cases of domestic violence.

I. Find the equivalents in the text:

Координатор отношений родителей с детьми; проблемы воспитания; преждевременно; своевременно; быть уполномоченным; обязательный для исполнения; в случае; оспорить; обращаться; быть обязанным выплатить издержки; осуществление; постановления суда; следуя, начинать; знакомиться; текущие проблемы; существующее положение дел; на усмотрение; агентство социальной помощи; противопоказано; бытовое насилие.

II. Role Play

Actors: Mother; Father, Parenting Coordinator.

Situation; mother and father hate each other after the divorce. But they started to understand that their conflict influences their child. Parenting Coordinator tries to help them.

Use the words and word combinations from the texts 6 and 7.

WORK

1)