What is the difference between an arbitrator's role and a parenting coordinator's role?

A family arbitrator generally resolves a defined family law dispute, such as parenting arrangements, support, or property, through a formal process governed by Ontario's arbitration and family law framework, producing a binding award that can be enforced much like a court order once the required formalities are met. The arbitrator's involvement is typically tied to a specific dispute or set of issues and concludes once the award is made, similar in structure to a private judge deciding a case.

A parenting coordinator, by contrast, plays an ongoing, practical role created entirely by the parents' own agreement rather than a dedicated statutory framework, focused on helping implement an existing parenting arrangement day to day and resolving the smaller, recurring disagreements that come up over time, such as scheduling details or communication issues. Rather than one final decision, a coordinator's involvement typically continues for as long as the arrangement runs, addressing disputes as they arise. Understanding this difference helps families choose the right tool, or use both together, for their specific situation, and a family lawyer can help map which role fits which kind of issue.