IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA

AT

Parent A (Plaintiff)

Parent B (Defendant) CASE NO.:

ORDER APPOINTING PARENTING COORDINATOR

is appointed in this case as Parenting Coordinator (PC), pursuant to Alaska Civil Rules 53 and 100. In compliance with Rule 100, the Court has

screened the parents for domestic violence;

confirmed the parents talked to the proposed PC, who is available and willing to be appointed;

confirmed that the parents have agreed to participate in the process; and

confirmed that the PC has training and authority to take precautions to ensure the safety of the parents in the process.

You must contact the PC and make an initial appointment within 5 days of service of this order. PC contact information: Phone	Email

The PC has authority to decide issues through a quick decision-making process after working with the parents to resolve their disputes. The court finds that it is in the children’s best interest for the PC to assist the parents to implement the final orders issued in this case. The PC’s authority is limited as set out below. This appointment will continue for a period of up to two years. The PC is an officer of the court and enjoys quasi-judicial immunity. By participating in the parenting coordination process, the parents agree that the PC’s file may not be subpoenaed and that the PC may not be compelled to testify.

The PC may teach conflict resolution skills and provide assessment, education on child development and parenting, and case management in order to manage parental conflict and reduce the need for court intervention.

You can find more information about the role of the PC at http://www.courts.alaska.gov/shc/family/parenting-coordination.htm

The parents have the following minor children:

Name	DOB

Scope of Authority

The PC shall have no authority to modify legal custody or to change the percentage of parenting time between the parents.

The PC has authority to resolve disputes in the following areas, unless the box is not checked:

exchange dates, times, locations, and responsible party

determining holiday and vacation time, including in-service days

minor or temporary schedule changes (percentage of time remains the same)

birthdays

participation by others in one parent’s time with the children

contact with others, including relatives, stepparents, or new partners

communication with the children

travel arrangements

transportation to and from parenting time

school placement

school transportation

educational issues (for example: tutoring, communication with teachers, absences)

extracurricular activities and after-school activities (including employment)

technology and social media

recreation

summer camps

health care management, including mental health services

discipline

participation in childcare, daycare, and babysitting

bed time

diet

clothing and grooming

driver’s license and driving

Additionally, the parents may agree to let the PC make a final decision on other child- or parenting-focused matters after they have first attempted to reach agreement, but have been unsuccessful, rather than taking such issues up in court. The PC will document any agreement between the parents that grants additional authority.

Release of Confidential and Privileged Records and Information

The PC may have contact with third parties or with the children listed above as necessary to make decisions. This order shall operate as a court-ordered release of information allowing the PC, without further court order, to access confidential and privileged records and information pertaining to the above-named children. This includes, but is not limited to, records held by the following agencies or other entities:

law enforcement,

Office of Children’s Services (OCS),

a private custody investigator,

a Parenting Plan Facilitator (PPF) ordered to interview the children,

Office of Public Advocacy,

Division of Juvenile Justice,

Division of Motor Vehicles,

Child Support Enforcement Division,

Fire Department and paramedics, and

Department of Corrections.

This release also includes educational, psychological, psychiatric, medical, social work, daycare, employment, alcohol and drug assessment or treatment, domestic violence assessment or treatment, and emergency shelter records.

The parents must sign “releases of information” for access to these records if the PC requests them. The court further orders that the PC, the PPF, and any private custody investigator are released to confer about the above-named children.

Both parents shall cooperate with the PC to facilitate communication with third parties.

Mandatory Reports

The PC shall make a mandatory report to OCS of any suspected child abuse or neglect. The PC may choose to report any apparent serious risk of harm to a party, another family member, or a third party to the appropriate authority.

Communication

Before contacting the PC, parents may try to reach agreement on minor implementation issues (if there is no domestic violence protective order or criminal conditions of release prohibiting contact). If there is no agreement, either parent may contact the PC by telephone or email for assistance, or as directed by the PC. The PC will try to return emails or messages in a timely manner, but may be unavailable for brief periods. If there is an emergency, a parent should call the police, medical providers, or OCS, as appropriate. Each parent must keep appointments and comply with the policies and procedures of the PC. The PC will attempt to contact both parents before making a decision and upon making a decision. Both parents must make contact with the PC when requested (by email, telephone, or in-person) and must participate in the process as defined by the PC. The PC will make decisions without unreasonable delay.

Communication with the PC is not confidential or privileged. The PC must not disclose any information about the children or parents, except as necessary to fulfill the duties and responsibilities outlined in this order. Confidential records will not be disclosed without a court order.

The PC must keep detailed records of contacts and decisions and submit a written summary to the court annually. The PC will give each parent a copy and put a copy in the court file as a confidential document. The PC may also make recommendations for modification of the existing order or for referrals to services.

Every agreement between the parents and every decision made by the PC will be in writing and a copy provided to both parents. This may be by email.

The PC may consult with professional colleagues for mentoring and support. All communication related to such consultations is confidential.

Court Review

If either parent does not agree with the PC’s final decision, that parent may file objections with the court within ten days of the distribution of the decision. The PC’s decision will be in effect unless the court orders otherwise. If necessary, either parent may request expedited consideration. The court may request the PC to provide documentation of communications and decisions, including a summary of the basis for the decision. Alternatively, the parents may agree, in advance of the PC making a decision on any particular issue, that they will not dispute the decision in the court, regardless of the decision.

If either parent is not complying with this order, the PC may request assistance from the assigned judge who will consider the request on an expedited basis.

Payment

This appointment will continue for a period up to two years, unless otherwise ordered.

The parents are each responsible for 50% of the PC’s charges and 50% of any required retainer and/or deposit.

Parent A will pay % of the PC’s charges and % of any required retainer and/or deposit, and

Parent B will pay % of the PC’s charges and % of any required retainer and/or deposit.

Other arrangment:

The PC will not change how the fee will be paid based on the parent’s ability to pay. The PC may change the amount each parent is responsible to pay due to abuse of the PC’s services. In any other circumstances, changing the fee requires the parents’ agreement or an order from the assigned judge.

Resignation of the Parenting Coordinator

The PC may resign (1) any time the PCS determines it is in the children’s best interests, or (2) if the PC is unable to serve out the term, upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the parents and the assigned judge.

Date Recommended:	Date Approved:

Master	Superior Court Judge

Type or Print Judge’s Name

Parenting Coordinator’s Email:	Phone:

Parent A’s Email Address:	Phone:

Mailing Address:

Parent B’s Email Address:	Phone:

Mailing Address:

I certify that on	, a copy of this document was distributed to:

Parenting Coordinator Parent A/Lawyer Parent B/Lawyer Other:

JA/Clerk:

Note for Clerk Attach the most recent parenting plan/custody order for the Parenting Coordinator.

The parents must notify the Parenting Coordinator about any changes in contact information (address, phone, email).

Private parenting coordinators must file an Entry of Appearance with the court.

(See the Family Law Self-Help Center website for Parenting Coordinator Entry of Appearance, SHC-1820, ak-courts.info/pcforms)