Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do your services differ from therapy or mediation?

A: Next Step Co-Parenting provides practical, operational guidance to help parents implement their existing parenting plan, reduce conflict, and maintain child-focused interactions. Unlike therapy, our work is not focused on emotional processing, personal history, or relationship repair. Unlike mediation, we do not negotiate or legally modify the parenting plan, nor do we act as a neutral third-party to resolve disputes for the court. Our role is to give clear, actionable solutions and coaching that parents can use immediately in day-to-day parenting, keeping the focus on structure, predictability, and the well-being of the children.

Q: What happens if one parent doesn’t cooperate or follow your recommendations?

A: Next Step Co-Parenting provides guidance and practical solutions, but we cannot enforce compliance or compel a parent to follow the plan. Our role is to help the cooperating parent understand the parenting plan, implement strategies effectively, and maintain consistent, child-focused routines. If one parent is uncooperative, we document sessions and recommendations for the client’s reference, so they may submit them to their attorney if needed. In some cases, we may recommend additional sessions or adjustments to support progress, but we do not take sides, enforce rules, or act as a court-appointed authority.

Q: How can you help me to implement our parenting plan with less conflict?

A: This service reduces conflict by:

• Clarifying ambiguous or impractical provisions in an existing parenting plan

• Establishing predictable routines for exchanges, transitions, and schedules

• Addressing recurring implementation issues such as lateness, missed exchanges, or communication breakdowns

• Developing structured, child-centered communication guidelines

• Reducing unnecessary conflict around logistics and decision-making

Recommendations are practical, behaviorally focused, and grounded in the language of the existing parenting plan.

Q: What does communication review mean?

A: When parents use a co-parenting communication platform (such as OurFamilyWizard), review may be incorporated as part of services. This may include:

• Identifying patterns that escalate conflict

• Coaching parents on neutral, plan-consistent communication

• Providing written feedback focused on clarity, boundaries, and child-centered language

This service is designed to support improved compliance and predictability, not to monitor or discipline either parent.

Q: Will you testify in court or provide reports for custody cases?

A: No. Next Step Co-Parenting provides practical guidance to help parents implement their existing parenting plan and reduce conflict. Our services are neutral, operational, and advisory in nature. We do not provide custody evaluations, legal advice, or court testimony, and we do not prepare reports intended for court proceedings. This ensures that our work remains focused on supporting parents and children in day-to-day parenting, without creating legal or professional conflicts.

Q: Do you work with families with domestic violence or high-conflict histories?

A: Safety is our first priority. We screen for appropriateness before beginning services. In cases where there is active domestic violence, restraining orders, or a serious safety risk, we may decline services or refer the family to appropriate professionals. For high-conflict but safe situations, our approach remains neutral, structured, and operational, focused on supporting cooperation while maintaining a child-centered perspective.

Q: Can you make changes to the parenting plan?

A: No. We do not have legal authority to modify parenting plans. Our work is limited to providing guidance on implementing the existing plan, clarifying unclear provisions, and helping parents maintain consistent routines. Any legal changes to the plan should be pursued through the appropriate court or with the assistance of an attorney.

Q: Are your services offered in person or virtually?

A: All Next Step Co-Parenting services are conducted virtually via secure video conferencing. This format allows for flexible scheduling and ensures that sessions remain focused and productive. Conducting sessions virtually also allows the facilitator to pause or conclude a session if conflict escalates, helping to maintain a calm, structured environment for both parents and keeping interactions on track for the benefit of the children.