PCDM – Parenting Coordinator Decision Maker
PDM – Parental Decision Maker
Helping parents make the best decisions for their children.
Key Considerations in Parental Decision-Making
Joint Decision-Making
When parents cooperate and make decisions together, the court often awards joint decision-making responsibility, requiring mutual agreement on major decisions affecting the child.
Sole Decision-Making
If joint decision-making is not feasible due to high conflict or poor communication, the court may grant one parent sole authority to make major decisions without the other’s consent.
The court will always prioritize the child’s best interests.
Modifying Decision-Making Responsibilities
When parents struggle to reach agreements, they may appoint a Parenting Coordinator/Decision-Maker (PCDM), a neutral third party who helps resolve disputes and makes binding decisions to clarify existing orders.
Why Choose a PCDM Before Disagreements Arise?
When conflicts arise, resolving them through litigation can take at least a year and cost $10,000 per person. That’s $20,000 and immense stress versus a PCDM resolving the issue in a day at just $225 total.
Parental decision coordination fees are a fraction of the cost compared to legal disputes, and issues can be resolved in a day rather than a year.
Bonus: Families using Mediation Solutions for half or full-day mediation services receive the first 2 hours of PDM free of charge.