Parent Facilitation

What is Parenting Facilitation?

Parent Facilitation is a child-focused alternative dispute resolution offered to co-parents that are either about to go through divorce/separation, are going through divorce/separation or have already divorced/separated.

The goal of Parent Facilitation is to offer professional assistance to co-parents who need help learning to work together in order to keep their children from being exposed to parental conflict.  It is also the goal to avoid chronic litigation, help parents comply with court orders, educate parents about their children's needs, reduce misunderstandings, resolve disputes and teach parents new and more effective ways to communicate.

The Parent Facilitator may do this by reviewing written evaluations and reports, and talking with other significant individuals involved with the family (doctors, therapists, school personnel, daycares, lawyers, etc.) The Parent Facilitator will meet with the parents individually, jointly, and communicate by fax and email. Home visits may be made to both parents homes at the discretion of the Parent Facilitator. Parent Facilitation is NOT a confidential process, therefore, the Parent Facilitator can write status reports to the court as needed and defined in the order, testify in court and be contacted by other professionals, and may be present during hearings. The Parent Facilitator may make recommendations to the parents.

It is important to note that the Parent Facilitator is a NEUTRAL third party. Their foremost goal is to reduce conflict. Parent Facilitation involves skills that are therapeutic but it is not therapy.

How do I begin the process of Parenting Facilitation?

  • Parenting facilitation intake forms
  • A signed copy of the advisement form with initials on each page
  • A copy of the court order
  • $800.00 retainer per party mailed to 5950 Park Vista Circle, Ste 100, Fort Worth, TX 76244

Please mail, scan, or fax these forms to us. Once all the forms are fully completed and on file by both parents and the deposits have been paid, an initial appointment letter will be sent to the parents to schedule the initial appointment. Because of the nature of high conflict families, it is important for us to maintain a written paper trail so phone calls will not be returned. If you have questions, please send questions in e-mail.

Costs and Payment

Fees & Retainer
The rate of parenting facilitation services is $200 per hour rounded up to the nearest 15-minute increment. This includes all services of the parenting facilitator. This includes all services including reviewing documentation, records management, meetings, correspondences, phone contact, email, legal expenses, and consultation with other family service providers.
A retainer equal to four hours of service is due in advance from each of the parties. If one party is ordered to pay for all costs of services, they will also need to pay both retainers. Services may be charged against the retainer provided that the parties continue to fully replenish the retainer when billed. If a party is late in replenishing the retainer services may be suspended until such time as the retainer is replenished.

Other costs
Each of the parties is responsible for any fees for production of third-party records or other information related to services. Costs for copying of records and other administrative costs will be deducted from the retainer. Time in administrative tasks, including correspondence to parties, attorneys, or reports to the court, is billed at the standard hourly fee. Additionally, cancellations of any appointment with less than 72 weekday (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) hours notice will result in the canceling party being billed the entire service fee. Returned checks will be charged the maximum fee allowable under law.

Billing
With the exception of individual sessions, charges for the service will generally be divided between the parents unless otherwise specifically ordered by the court. If the order to participate in Parenting Facilitation stipulates that only one parent is financially responsible and the other parent cancels without 72-hour notice, the canceling parent is still responsible for that charge.
There may be other times when, similar to individual sessions, the Parenting Facilitator deems it appropriate to charge only one parent a particular fee. This determination is solely at the professional’s discretion.

Court Appearances
For any requested appearance, subpoenaed appearance, settlement conference, or deposition: $250.00 per hour, with a minimum charge of three hours. Such fees are due at least one week before the scheduled appearance. Please note: if an appearance request is received without a minimum of one week notice the appearance fee is due immediately and there will be an additional $250.00 express charge. Failure to provide the fee as specified constitutes release from the requested appearance.