What is a Parenting Consultant?
Parenting Consultants in Minnesota Custody Cases
While it has been increasingly common for parenting consultants (“PCs”) to be utilized in Minnesota child custody cases, many parents are unaware of the role that such parties can play. Parenting consultants are most commonly utilized after a custody or divorce decree has been entered, and appointment of a parenting consultant may only occur by agreement of the parties.
A parenting consultant is usually most effective in a custody matter that includes many disputed matters, including disputes about parenting time schedules or other similar matters. Fortunately, utilizing a parenting consultant is typically much less expensive than litigation and can save the parties to a case significant fees. Parents that use a parenting consultant usually can save money on lawyer’s fees, filing fees, and can reach resolutions without lengthy waiting periods in court.
A parenting consultant is a third party who is contracted by the parents to make decisions, usually in a similar role as a judge. This parenting consultant can make decisions about any area of the case that the parents agree to give them power over, most common parenting time. The parenting consultant can render a decision in a matter of hours rather than the weeks or months that are taken by a court.
Most parenting consultants also have a background in both the law and social work. Some are lawyers (usually former or practicing family law attorneys), who have a deep understanding of Minnesota child custody law and the considerations that must be made.
While certainly less expensive than a protracted legal battle, parenting consultants do charge the parties fees. Usually this cost is split between the parties (sometimes the parenting consultant even has the power to assign a party to pay for the fee if they have created the necessity of a decision). This cost is often structured similarly to an attorney’s fee and may include an hourly rate and a parenting consultant retainer. However, often agreeing upon a parenting consultant will alleviate the need for the parties to spend significant funds on an attorney.
Overall, choosing to work with a parenting consultant is a wise choice for parents in many Minnesota child custody and divorce cases. The Roseville child custody attorneys at RAM Law PLLC have excellent working relationships with many parenting consultants throughout Minnesota, and can provide detailed insight as to whether a parenting consultant might be right for your case. If you are involved in a Minnesota child custody or divorce case, call our experienced team of attorneys at 651-468-2103 or submit our convenient online form to set up your free consultation.