Last amended September 1, 2023 · Current through September 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026
In one sentenceRule 5:8D allows appointment of a Parenting Coordinator to help parents carry out an existing parenting plan, but only after a custody order and a plan are already in place.
(a)Applicability. The court may appoint a Parenting Coordinator in dissolution and non-dissolution matters, but only after entry of (1) a pendente lite order or a temporary or final custody order, and (2) a parenting plan (which plan may be set forth in the body of the order rather than as a separate document).
(b)Definition and Role of the Parenting Coordinator. A Parenting Coordinator is a neutral individual appointed by the court to assist in implementing the parties' parenting plan (as referenced in subparagraph (a)(2)) by facilitating the resolution of dayto-day parenting issues in a timely manner when the parties cannot resolve issues on their own. The Parenting Coordinator should provide guidance and direction to the parties with the children's best interests as the primary focus by reducing conflict and fostering sound decisions that will aid positive child development. The goals of the Parenting Coordinator shall be to aid the parties in monitoring and effectuating the existing parenting plan (as referenced in subparagraph (a)(2)); to reduce misunderstandings and miscommunication between the parents; to help reduce litigation filed with the Family Part; to clarify priorities of the parents and their children; to explore possibilities for compromise; and to develop methods of communication that promote collaboration in parenting. The Parenting Coordinator should facilitate decision-making by the parties whenever practicable and make recommendations when the parties cannot agree.
(1)Appointment from the Statewide Roster of Approved Parenting Coordinators. The Administrative Director of the Courts shall maintain a statewide roster of approved Parenting. On motion by a party or on the court's own motion, the court may appoint a Parenting Coordinator from the statewide roster upon a finding of good cause. The parties also may consent to the appointment of a Parenting Coordinator from the statewide roster without a finding of good cause.
(2)Appointment Not from the Statewide Roster. On request by one or both parties for the appointment of an individual not on the statewide roster and with the consent of the parties, the court may appoint any individual to serve as a Parenting Coordinator. No such non-roster appointment of a Parenting Coordinator shall be made in any case in which a domestic violence restraining order is in effect.
(d)Guidelines and Form of Order. The Administrative Director of the Courts shall issue (1) guidelines covering the operation of Parenting Coordinators appointed pursuant to this Rule, and (2) a form of order for the appointment of a Parenting Coordinator. The guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, the following: the authority, qualifications, and training requirements of a Parenting Coordinator; appointment and termination of a Parenting Coordinator; communication by the Parenting Coordinator with the parties and with the court; procedures to be followed when a domestic violence restraining order is in effect; and the policy as to the Parenting Coordinator's impartiality. The Guidelines and the form of appointment order shall be posted on the Judiciary's website at https://www.njcourts.gov/courts/family.
End
Amendment History
New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “Note” beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; a “Source” line names the former rule the current one grew out of, and “R. (1969)” citations refer to the earlier numbering it replaced.
Note: Adopted August 4, 2023 to be effective September 1, 2023.
Plain-English Summary
A parenting coordinator is not for deciding custody. The rule makes that structural: an appointment can be made in dissolution and non-dissolution matters only after both a pendente lite or temporary or final custody order and a parenting plan exist. The plan can sit in the body of the order rather than as a separate document, but it has to exist.
The role is defined as a neutral who helps implement that plan by resolving day-to-day parenting issues promptly when the parents cannot. The stated goals are practical: monitor and effectuate the existing plan, reduce misunderstanding and miscommunication, cut down on filings in the Family Part, clarify the parents' and children's priorities, explore compromise, and build communication habits that support collaborative parenting. The coordinator facilitates the parents' own decisions whenever practicable and makes recommendations only when they cannot agree.
Appointment runs down two tracks. From the statewide roster maintained by the Administrative Director, the court may appoint on motion or its own motion on a finding of good cause — or on the parties' consent without any such finding. Off the roster, the court may appoint any individual, but only with the consent of the parties, and never in a case where a domestic violence restraining order is in effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can a parenting coordinator be appointed in New Jersey?
Only after entry of a pendente lite order or a temporary or final custody order, and a parenting plan — which may be set out in the body of the order rather than as a separate document.
What does a parenting coordinator do?
Acts as a neutral who helps implement the parties' parenting plan by facilitating timely resolution of day-to-day parenting issues, facilitating the parents' own decisions where practicable and making recommendations when they cannot agree.
Can we choose our own parenting coordinator?
Yes, with the consent of the parties the court may appoint someone who is not on the statewide roster — except that no non-roster appointment may be made in any case in which a domestic violence restraining order is in effect.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court, Part V (N.J. Ct. R. 5:8D). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 8, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:parenting coordinatorco-parenting counselorparenting plan implementationhigh conflict custody