MO HB1820

Court may appoint a parenting coordinator by agreement of the parties to assist in resolving disputes concerning parental responsibilities and implementation of court-ordered parenting plans in cases involving minor children.

Parenting coordinator serves as neutral third party with authority to resolve disputes about implementation or clarification of existing orders regarding parenting time and parental decisions, subject to parties' right to object within 15 days.

Parenting coordinator must be a licensed mental health professional or licensed attorney with 16 hours of training in parenting coordination including a domestic violence component, and cannot later serve as counsel in family disputes except as mediator.

Court shall allocate parenting coordinator fees between parties based on their relative post-judgment incomes; state assumes no financial responsibility but court may appoint volunteer coordinator or subsidize fees from other authorized sources.

Parenting coordinator appointment limited to two years unless extended by court agreement, and parenting coordinator is immune from liability except for willful and wanton acts; confidentiality protections apply and coordinator cannot testify about the coordination process.