Neutrality vs. Impartiality: Understanding the Core Ethical Role of Your Parenting Coordinator

Sep 30, 2025·By Cori McGuire

Neutrality, Impartiality, and the Role of a Parenting Coordinator

We understand that family law terminology can be confusing, particularly in high‑conflict situations where emotions run high. One term that often causes misunderstanding is the description of a Parenting Coordinator (PC) as a “neutral third party.”

While well‑intentioned, that phrase can be misleading unless it is carefully explained. Parenting coordination involves different functions at different stages, and clarity about those functions helps parents understand both what to expect—and what not to expect—from the process.

Neutrality in Facilitation

When a Parenting Coordinator is assisting parents to reach agreement within the scope of an existing order or agreement, the PC functions in a neutral, facilitative role. In this phase, the PC helps parents communicate, identify workable options, and resolve implementation issues by consensus where possible.

This facilitation is intentionally structured and contained. Unlike family law mediation, it is not designed to explore past grievances, renegotiate settled arrangements, or broadly examine parental interests. The focus remains on resolving the immediate parenting issue in a way that is consistent with the governing order and the child’s needs.

Why Neutrality Changes at Determination

If parents are unable to reach agreement, the Parenting Coordinator may be required to make a Determination, but only within the limited authority granted by statute and the appointing order or agreement.

At that point, neutrality in outcome is no longer possible or appropriate.

A Determination is not about preferring one parent over the other. It is about applying the existing parenting framework to the facts at hand so that the parenting arrangement continues to function and the child is not left in uncertainty.

The Governing Standard: Impartiality

The correct standard for Parenting Coordinators when making Determinations is impartiality.

Impartiality means fairness in process, consistency in application, and fidelity to the governing legal framework—not indifference to outcome.

In practice, this means the Parenting Coordinator is committed to:

• No bias toward either parent

• Equal process, including a fair opportunity for both parents to provide relevant information

• Strict adherence to the existing order or agreement

• A singular focus on the child’s best interests as reflected in, and constrained by, the existing order or agreement when a decision must be made.

The Child’s Best Interests Are Not Neutral

A Parenting Coordinator is impartial between parents, but not neutral with respect to the child.

When a Determination is required, the PC is legally obligated to choose the course of action that most faithfully implements the governing order and, in doing so, supports the child’s stability, development, and well‑being.

If one parent’s proposal aligns more closely with those requirements, the PC must adopt it—even if the other parent experiences that outcome as unfair or disappointing.

A Determination that does not adopt a parent’s position is not evidence that the PC failed to listen, explore interests, or remain fair. It reflects the limited and child‑focused nature of the PC’s mandate.

Why This Structure Builds Fairness

Parenting coordination is designed for families where open‑ended negotiation has not produced stability. The structure, limits, and decisional authority of the PC are intentional safeguards—not signs of rigidity or bias.

By clearly distinguishing facilitation from determination, and neutrality from impartiality, the parenting coordination process aims to be predictable, transparent, and fair—while keeping the child out of ongoing parental conflict.

It is also important to understand that a Parenting Coordinator’s best‑interests analysis is intentionally contained. The PC does not conduct a broad or open‑ended reassessment of parenting arrangements, revisit past findings, or re‑weigh historical factors already addressed by agreement or court order. The analysis is limited to what is necessary to implement the existing framework and resolve the specific issue at hand in a way that supports the child’s stability and well‑being.

Written by Cori L. McGuire, a Parenting Coordinator since 2008 and a family law lawyer since 1998 in British Columbia. Cori has many other articles on the parenting coordination process including: The Framework of Trust: Why My Professional Boundaries Protect Your Family. Further reading by subject is found in our Resource Library.