PARENTING TIME EXPEDITORS

What is parenting time?  Parenting time is the time a parent spends with his or her child regardless of who has custody of the child.

What is a Parenting Time Expeditor?  The Parenting Time Expeditor is a neutral person who is chosen by the parties (usually the parents of the children) or their attorneys to assist them when parenting time is in dispute.  The Parenting Time Expeditor may assist with a one-time dispute or provide ongoing dispute-resolution services.

What does a Parenting Time Expeditor do?  The Parenting Time Expeditor is authorized to use a mediation-arbitration process to resolve parenting time disputes.  This means that the Parenting Time Expeditor attempts to resolve a parenting time dispute by working with the parties to promote settlement.  If the dispute cannot be resolved by agreement, the Parenting Time Expeditor generally has the authority to make a decision resolving the dispute.

By law, the Parenting Time Expeditor enforces, interprets, and clarifies existing parenting time orders and/or addresses circumstances not specifically addressed by an existing parenting time order.  For example, an Parenting Time Expeditor may work with the parties on issues of transportation, pick-up and drop-off times, holiday and vacation schedules, day care issues, or other matters as provided for in the court order.  If it is appropriate, the Parenting Time Expeditor may make a determination as to whether the existing parenting time order has been violated.  The Parenting Time Expeditor may also have authority to give one parent compensatory parenting time, depending on the court order and the seriousness of the other parent’s violation of the order.

Can the Parenting Time Expeditor contact my family, friends, the teacher or my child?  Because of the rules of confidentiality, the Parenting Time Expeditor can only contact third parties, including the children, with the written permission of both parties.

Can the Parenting Time Expeditor testify on my behalf?  Generally, no.  Except when a judge says otherwise, communications related to the Parenting Time Expeditor process are strictly confidential. 

How is a Parenting Time Expeditor hired?  The Parenting Time Expeditor can be hired by agreement of the parties (stipulation) or by the court (appointment).

The information contained in this Web site is provided solely for the general interest of clients and friends of Dow, Einhaus, Mattison & Carver, P.A. This information should not be relied upon as legal advice and is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney. We assume no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of this Web site or other sites to which it provides links. The use of this Web site is not intended to establish, and does not establish, an attorney-client relationship. No person viewing this Web site should send confidential information to Dow, Einhaus, Mattison & Carver via e-mail without first obtaining permission to do so from one of its attorneys. No representation is made on this Web site that the quality of legal services to be performed by Dow, Einhaus, Mattison & Carver is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers or law firms. In some states, this Web site may be considered to be advertising by a lawyer or law firm. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon information contained on this Web site.