For families navigating the complexities of high-conflict co-parenting after separation or divorce, ensuring a stable and supportive environment for children can feel like an uphill battle. Thankfully, there are resources designed to help. One such valuable tool, authorized under the Texas Family Code, is Parent Facilitation (PF).

At The Law Office of Victor Esh, we understand the unique challenges these families face. Our Parent Facilitation services, led by attorney James Victor Esh, offer a structured and transparent approach to help parents improve communication, understand court orders, and ultimately, create a more functional co-parenting dynamic.

Important Note: A Court Order is Required for Parent Facilitation

It's crucial to understand that Parent Facilitation with our firm requires a signed order from the Court. While you are welcome to contact us to learn more about our services, we cannot initiate Parent Facilitation without this formal judicial directive. Additionally, please be aware that any contact regarding PF services from one parent will be shared with the other parent at an appropriate time, ensuring transparency throughout the process.

When reaching out about a potential PF appointment, we kindly request that your initial inquiry focuses solely on:

1. Our availability to accept the case.
2. Our associated costs.
3. The process for formal appointment by the Court.

Understanding Parent Facilitation: Transparency is Key

Parent Facilitation operates with complete transparency. Unlike Parent Coordination (which our firm does not offer), all communication and discussions within Parent Facilitation are discoverable and admissible in court. This openness ensures accountability and provides the court with a clear record of the process and any progress made.

We believe that if a Court or parents seek a confidential process like Parent Coordination, it is best provided by a mental health professional specifically qualified in that area due to the inherent nature of confidentiality.

Our Firm's Distinctive Approach

James Victor Esh approaches Parent Facilitation with a blended legal background. His legal background, combined with training in parent facilitation under the supervision of a Licensed Professional Counselor, allows us to offer a balanced approach focused on:

• Ensuring Order Compliance: We prioritize a clear understanding and consistent adherence to existing court orders, addressing any ambiguities and offering practical guidance for their implementation.
• Bridging Communication Gaps: While not providing therapy, we strive to help parents understand each other's viewpoints, identify the root causes of conflict, and facilitate the development of mutually agreeable solutions whenever possible.
• Promoting a Co-Parenting Spirit (Where Appropriate): Our goal is to guide parents toward a more cooperative co-parenting relationship. Recognizing that parallel parenting may be a necessary initial step in high-conflict situations, we also focus on establishing clear boundaries and guidelines for such arrangements.

The Parent Facilitation Process at The Law Office of Victor Esh

We conduct all Parent Facilitation sessions virtually, offering flexibility and convenience. Our structured process typically involves:

1. Initial Order Review: A thorough examination of all relevant court orders and background information.
2. Initial Joint Session: An introductory meeting with both parents to discuss the PF process, understand the initial challenges and backgrounds, and gain insight into the children's well-being and anticipated future issues.
3. Individual Sessions: Separate meetings (1-2 hours each) with each parent to gain a deeper understanding of their individual perspectives, concerns, and challenges.
4. Additional Joint Sessions: Facilitated joint sessions (up to 2 hours) to address specific areas of conflict, clarify the application of court orders, and work towards potential agreements. The scheduling of these sessions is at the Parent Facilitator's discretion and will often be determined during meetings.
5. Memorialized Agreements: Any agreements reached during facilitation are documented in writing and signed by both parents remotely.
6. Ongoing Monitoring & Support: Initially, we will schedule bi-monthly or monthly sessions. As the level of conflict decreases and the co-parenting relationship stabilizes, we aim to transition to less frequent (monthly or quarterly) follow-up sessions, eventually moving to an "on-call" basis.
7. Transparent Communication: All discussions and communications within Parent Facilitation are shared openly between both parents.
8. Court Reporting (In the Absence of Agreement): If parents cannot reach agreements, the Parent Facilitator may and will submit reports to the Court outlining the issues discussed, the lack of resolution, and offering recommendations for potential resolution. It is important to note that in this role, the Parent Facilitator is not acting as an attorney and has no legal authority related to these reports. These reports serve to inform the Court should further legal action be necessary.

Our Expectations of Parents

We ask that parents approach Parent Facilitation with an open mind and a genuine willingness to work together for the best interests of their children. Building trust and achieving progress takes time and commitment from both parties.

Crucially, any Court order appointing James Victor Esh as a Parenting Facilitator must include the provision for the PF to have the discretion to "shift" costs between the parents for good cause. Orders lacking this cost-shifting language may result in our firm declining to provide PF services.

For your convenience, we can provide a generic Order of Appointment, based on Texas Family Practice Manual forms and including the necessary cost-shifting language. While we offer this form as a starting point, we make no representations about its suitability for your specific legal matter beyond its stated content.

Benefits for the Court

Referring parties to Parent Facilitation with The Law Office of Victor Esh can provide significant benefits to the Court and the families involved:

• Increased Order Compliance: Facilitation aids in ensuring parents understand and effectively implement court orders.
• Reduced Relitigation: By addressing and resolving disputes outside of court, we aim to minimize the need for further judicial intervention.
• Improved Communication: Facilitation can foster better communication and understanding between parents, ultimately benefiting the children.
• Clear Record of Progress: The discoverable nature of Parent Facilitation provides the Court with a transparent view of the issues discussed and any agreements reached.
• Informative Court Reports: In the absence of parental agreement, the Court can receive reports from the Parent Facilitator, offering valuable insights into ongoing disputes and recommendations should further legal action be pursued.