Rule 5:8D - Parenting Coordinators(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 day-to-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. (c) Appointment (1) Appointment from the Statewide Roster of Approved Parenting Coordinators.The Administrative Director of the Courts shall maintain a statewide roster of approved Parenting Coordinators. 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.Adopted August 4, 2023 to be effective 9/1/2023.