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Parenting Consultants

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Document that can be shared with client about PCs: What is a Parenting Consultant – Info for Parents

Legal Quick Sheet – Parenting Consulting

(List of PCs at the bottom)

What is a parenting consultant?

A parenting consultant is essentially an arbitrator. They are a neutral person who has the duty and responsibility to assist the parents in resolving all child-related issues submitted for resolution. All decisions made by the PC are binding in nature (just like a Court order), so they have quite a bit of power. If a party disagrees with a PC decision, they can usually make a motion with the district court to “appeal” the decision, BUT the exact process (of if that’s even an option) will need to be laid out in the PC orders (more on that below) AND it’s not something our clients should rely on or plan to do frequently because it’s time consuming, costs a lot of money, and the Judge will get sick of someone who is constantly appealing PC decisions when they agreed to let those decisions be binding.

 

Why would someone want a parenting consultant & what issues can they decide?

PCs are useful in high conflict situations where the parents have an inability to communicate or work together to come to decisions. In most situations, a PC starts their work after the divorce/custody issue is final and, as such, part of what they’ll do is resolve disputes over different interpretations of language in the final order, because as much as we try to make sure the final orders are crystal clear, there is always something that someone can find to argue about.

PCs can also help with basic changes/disagreements that many separated parents can usually work out themselves, like a proposal to switch weekends for a special event, a parent wanting to change pick up or drop off time because of a new job, or other minor changes in the parenting time schedule.

PCs can also make bigger decisions like where a child will go to school, if a child should or should not receive a certain type of medical or mental health service, or if a parents parenting time should be supervised or suspended.

A PC can also be used to make decisions regarding moving between parenting time phases in lieu of having to go back to Court or file a motion. They can determine service a parent needs like Cd assessments or MH services, and also services the child may need.

HOWEVER – it’s important to remember that the details of what each PC can decide will be based on what is stated in the PC order (more on that below). 

 

In Minnesota, parenting consultants essentially serve in lieu of a judge. They can make binding decisions in a wide range of parenting disputes. Additionally, they serve as an excellent resource for parents who, due to changing work or life circumstances, require adjustments to previously agreed-upon parenting time arrangements.

How do you get a parenting consultant on a case?

THE PARTIES MUST BOTH AGREE TO A PC. A parenting consultant cannot be Ordered by a Judge unless the parties agree and stipulate to the appointment of a parenting consultant. This is because there is no rules or statutes that specifically lay out what a PC does. A PC is (very technically) considered a hybrid type of ADR wherein the parties agree to create their own ADR processes by means of a written agreement that defines the role of the Neutral. (Minnesota General Rules of Practice 114.02(d)(4) .     This is why a Judge can’t just order the PC unless the parties have agreed. If OPA ever says they are going to ask the Court to order a PC despite one party’s objection, they’re wrong and cannot do that.

  • As an aside, the Court can order a parenting time expeditor without agreement of both parties, but their role is very different, more limited, and clearly defined in MN statute 518.1751.

Reaching out to potential parenting consultants

It’s always best to come to an agreement on who the specific PC will be prior to submitting the necessary orders (discussed more below). Most communication with PCs takes place via email. An example of an email is below:

  • Jason Kohlmeyer represents Meghan Bach.  I represent Jared Bach.  The parties have three children. The parties have agreed to use a Parenting Consultant for a term of two years which can be renewed upon agreement.  Are you willing and able to take on a PC case?  If so, what is the cost and time frame for you to start.  Also, do you have a template order that you prefer to use?  

A PC will usually respond saying if they can/can’t take it, when they’d have an opening, what their initial retainer is, what their hourly rate is, and potentially include a copy of their fee agreement and proposed order. Sometimes, they won’t send the actual fee agreement and proposed order until you confirm you want to use them.

Stipulations and Court Orders regarding PCs

Usually you’ll need two Stipulations & Orders to finalize the PC. The first will be whatever general order you are working on as part of the case, which may be the MTA, or FOF, COL for Custody, or Stip and Order to Modify a Previous Order. Within this first, more broad order, you will have to have a provision indicating the parties have agreed to a PC with some other basic language. Examples include:

  • PARENTING CONSULTANT. If a conflict arises regarding a parenting issue which cannot be resolved by the parties through direct communication through Our Family Wizard, the matter shall be submitted to a parenting consultant, who will be mutually retained by the parties for five years. The parenting consultant will have the authority to meet with the parties to try to resolve the dispute. If the parties cannot reach agreement with the assistance of the parenting consultant, then the parenting consultant will make a decision on the issue and that decision will be binding until further Order of the Court. The costs of the parenting consultant will be shared equally between the parties. A separate stipulation and order for the appointment of the parenting consultant consistent herewith shall be filed with the Court by the parties.
  • Parenting Consultant: The parties agreed that a parenting consultant will be appointed for a term of two years. The parties agreed to equally share in the Parenting Consultant costs and fees unless determined otherwise by the PC. At the end of the two years, the parties will discuss extending the PC’s appointment, but there will be no requirement to do so. A separate stipulation and order for the appointment of the parenting consultant consistent herewith shall be filed with the Court by the parties.
  • Parenting Consultant. Each party shall promptly sign separate Stipulation and Order To Appoint Parenting Consultant (NAME OF PC), which will specify the
    authority granted to the Parenting Consultant (NAME OF PC). Each party shall promptly take all steps necessary to retain the Parenting Consultant . The parties agree that Petitioner will pay the retainer of $4,000.00 as Respondent is currently unemployed and cannot afford the Parenting Consultant fees. The Parenting Consultant shall be appointed under separate order prior to the entry of this Stipulated Judgment and Decree to assist the parties with their parenting time matters related to the children. If the retainer is depleted or if Respondent secures employment, the Parenting Consultant will determine the allocation of her fees as Petitioner Will not be expected to be solely responsible for the Parenting Consultant costs for the entire two year period.

In addition to the main/general order that says the parties agree to the PC, you will then need to draft a separate order that specifically outlines the PC, their role, responsibilities, decisions they are going to make, fees, etc (Usually titled STIPULATION AND ORDER TO APPOINT PARENTING CONSULTANT).

Sometimes, the PC you chose will have their own proposed order they want used and will send that to you when you retain or reach out to them. If there is no order provided by the PC, you can use the general PC order found in MyCase templates. This order needs to be reviewed carefully by the client and the attorney to ensure everything is as the client wants and has agreed to. As previously noted, the PC has a ton of power because they create binding decisions which is why it’s crucial to make sure everything in the PC order is accurate.

Once the PC order has been agreed to by everyone and signed, it will be filed with the Court for the Judge’s signature. When you receive the signed version back, it then gets sent to the PC.

Finalizing the Parenting Consultant

Before the PC starts, they will require the signed PC order, some sort of signed retainer agreement or contract, initial payment from both parties, and contact information for the parties. Once they have all of that, they should be good to go. However, sometimes the PC has already indicated they can’t start until a certain date and then you’ll just ensure the PC has all the things listed above and then just wait until they are available. Once the PC is up and running, communication generally occurs between the clients and the PC and doesn’t include the attorney. The recommendation would be to withdraw as the attorney once the PC is in place (assuming there isn’t anything else crazy going on).

Final tips / thoughts on Parenting Consultants

  • Good PCs book up quickly. If the parties have agreed to use a PC and it is important that the PC be able to start right away, you should probably reach out as soon as possible and confirm potential start dates.
  • You can absolutely start the process of getting the PC in place while you are finalizing the two orders you need (so long as the parties are for sure in agreement with using a PC).
  • There is no minimum length of time that a parties have to use a PC, but most PCs look for longer contracts which means it could be difficult to find a PC to take a 1 year contract. 2 years is sort of the bare minimum.
  • There’s not really any going back on a PC once it’s agreed upon and orders are signed so your client better be sure this is what they want.
  • PCs will stop work if they run out of money in either client’s trust account. This can prevent decisions from being made. Clients need to know the importance of keeping their PC trust funds replenished.
  • If a party disagrees with a PC decision they need to review the process to appeal in their PC order and act quickly as their time to “appeal” is usually limited.
  • A PC can and will quit if clients are threatening, verbally aggressive, or just way too difficult.
  • Attorneys do not have to stay on the case because there is a PC in place. PCs operate without attorneys.

 

Parenting Consultants

Susan M. Gallagher, J.D., R.N.

Gena Braaten (gena@braatenlawyers.com) $250/hyr as of 2/10/25

Jennifer Jameson (jennifer@jamesonlawoffice.com)

Jeff Johnson – not sure if we’ve used as PC, but have used for mediations  Divorce Mediation MN | Divorce Mediator | Comprehensive Mediation

Kristin Woulfe (never used)      Services | Kristin Woulfe | Child Development | Mediation | Parenting Consulting | Coaching — Kristin Woulfe

Tom Tuft – Good lawyer good PC,

Michelle Millenacker (Do not use under any circumstances  and would never recommend)

James Street (never used) – Addie used to work for him and said “I do like James Street, and he is a formal judicial officer, so I feel like he may be able to deal with high-conflict cases well.”

Amber M. Serwat – Never used, was on a panel about PCs at FLI 2026

Matthew Shore – works for Moxie. Was on a panel about PCs at FLI 2026      Matthew Shore

Alicia Norby – Never used, was on a panel about PCs at FLI 2026      About – Thorwaldsen & Malmstrom

Nicole Tabbut – Never used,was on a panel about PCs at FLI 2026      Nicole J. Tabbut | Pemberton Law | Detroit Lakes, MN

Jennifer Joseph – Never used, was on a panel about PCs at FLI in 2026: Home | Jennifer E Joseph

Tifanne Wolter – Never used, was on a panel about PCs at FLI in 2026: Tifanne E. Wolter

Susan Carpenter – Never used Parenting Consultant | Minneapolis | Susan Carpenter Coaching and Consulting LLC

Christopher Vatsaas – Never used, was on a panel about PCs at FLI in 2026. Addie said he usually has immediately availability if that’s a priority: Christopher L. Vatsaas, Attorney/Mediator –

Angela Lallemont – NO, not under any circumstances. Makes recommendations that are not reasonable, orders specific providers without considering whether client can afford their rate, appeared very biased in decision making, refusal to be flexible.

Diane Reller – word on the street has it she takes a really long time to make decisions. $275/HR as of 9/25/24

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