Parenting Coordinator

Also called: Parenting Coordinator (Family Court), PC

A neutral expert, often a therapist or lawyer, appointed by a family court to help high-conflict divorced parents settle disputes about their kids.

A day in the life

He reads 40 angry emails between two parents arguing about a holiday schedule, then meets them on video. He helps them reach a deal on Thanksgiving and soccer, and when they can't agree on summer camp, he makes the decision and writes it up for the court.

Pay over a career

Starting
$60k
Typical
$95k
High
$160k

Estimate; most are self-employed and charge about $150-300 an hour.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Master's degree, about 9 years after high school. Usually a licensed mental health professional or family lawyer, plus specialized parenting coordination training.

Ways in: Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $60k – $150k.

Majors to look at: Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Law.

Outlook

Growing about average. Many states now allow family courts to appoint parenting coordinators.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Co-parenting apps track messages and schedules; calming conflict and making fair calls for kids stays human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Psychology, Debate, Sociology.

More Counseling & Therapy careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.