December 20th, 2018

Parenting Coordinators Option in 2019

In 2019, counties in Pennsylvania will now have the right to decide whether or not to utilize parenting coordinators. Approximately five years ago, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court more or less did away with custody coordination. Now, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has issued a new rule, effective March 1, 2019, allowing counties across the Commonwealth to establish new local rules. Counties will have the right to decide whether or not to implement a parenting coordination process and if so, identify who may be certified e.g., attorneys-only or mental health professionals (whom are now permitted to serve as parenting coordinators under the new rule).

At this time, it is not known whether or not Lehigh County or Northampton County will implement such a rule regarding parenting coordinators.

While controversial, the parenting coordination process can be a valuable tool providing for an alternative dispute resolution forum that, at least in theory, should provide parents with the opportunity to work through their differences in a non-litigious format. This should also help ease the burden current imposed on the family law courts.


Attorney Allen Tullar is an experienced divorce attorney, assisting families in Lehigh and Northampton County in divorce, custody, alimony and support, and other family law matters.

The content found in this resource is for informational reference use only and is not considered legal advice. Laws at all levels of government change frequently and the information found here may be or become outdated. It is recommended to consult your attorney for the most up-to-date information regarding current laws and legal matters.