Co-Parenting by Design with Lawyers Annette Burns and Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner
From the It’s All Your Fault! Podcast
With permission from the High Conflict Institute
Unhooked authors, Annette Burns and Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner were interviewed on the podcast, It’s All Your Fault! by Megan Hunter of the High Conflict Institute.
In this episode of “It’s All Your Fault,” Megan is joined by two special guests, Annette Burns and Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner, co-authors of the upcoming book Co-Parenting by Design: The Definitive Guide for Divorced or Separated Parents. Annette and Nicole, both experienced family law attorneys and parenting coordinators, share their insights on navigating the complexities of co-parenting and offer practical advice for parents facing high conflict situations.
This episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice for divorced or separated parents facing the challenges of co-parenting. By learning from the expertise of Annette Burns and Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner, listeners can gain a deeper understanding of how to prioritize their children’s well-being, adapt to change, and navigate high conflict situations. Co-Parenting by Design promises to be an essential resource for parents, lawyers, and judges alike, providing guidance and strategies for creating a healthier co-parenting dynamic.
Understanding the Role of Parenting Coordinators
Megan, Annette, and Nicole delve into the crucial role of parenting coordinators in helping divorced or separated parents resolve disputes and maintain focus on their children’s best interests. They discuss how parenting coordinators act as referees, mediators, and educators, assisting parents in making decisions on issues such as parenting schedules, school choice, and healthcare.
Adapting to Change and Prioritizing Children’s Needs
The guests emphasize the importance of adaptability in co-parenting, as children’s needs and circumstances evolve over time. They highlight the challenges parents face when adjusting to new situations, such as remarriage, relocation, and changes in parenting time. Annette and Nicole stress the significance of prioritizing children’s well-being and maintaining consistency in parenting approaches whenever possible.
Questions answered in this podcast:
What is a parenting coordinator, and how can they help divorced or separated parents?
How can parents navigate changes in their children’s lives and adapt their co-parenting strategies?
What is parallel parenting, and when is it an appropriate approach?
How can parents handle disagreements over parenting styles and household rules?
What resources are available for parents struggling with high conflict co-parenting situations?
Key Takeaways:
Parenting coordinators play a vital role in assisting divorced or separated parents in resolving disputes and focusing on their children’s best interests.
Adaptability is crucial in co-parenting as children’s needs and circumstances change over time.
Parallel parenting can be an effective approach for high conflict situations, but its implementation varies depending on the family’s unique dynamics.
Parents should strive for consistency in parenting approaches whenever possible while respecting each other’s parenting time and decision-making authority.
Seeking education, resources, and support from professionals can help parents navigate the challenges of high conflict co-parenting.
The authors’ book, Co-parenting by Design: The Definitive Guide for Divorced or Separated Parents publishes in November 2024.
Annette Burns
ANNETTE BURNS, JD is an attorney and a certified Family Law Specialist and Parenting Coordinator, practicing in Arizona. She is a past president of the international interdisciplinary organization, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), a nonprofit organization of over 5000 international family law related professionals. She has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), a national organization composed of the nation's top attorneys since 2001. She has been named a SuperLawyer every year from 2007-2020 and one of Superlawyers' Arizona's Top Female Attorneys in 2013, 2014 and 2019. She is the co-author of BIFF for Co-Parent Communication with high-conflict expert Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq. and co-parenting expert, Kevin Chafin, LPC. Her private practice in Arizona focuses on family law. Annette lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner
NICOLE SIQUEIROS-STOUTNER, JD, is a family law attorney, mediator, and court-appointed Parenting Coordinator. She previously worked with Child Protective Services and a domestic violence shelter before transitioning to legal practice. After managing a non-profit organization's legal department, Nicole immersed herself in family law as an associate attorney and later as a partner in a Phoenix, Arizona firm. As a judge pro tem and trained Parenting Coordinator, Nicole serves the legal community by facilitating Alternative Dispute Resolution conferences and conducting private mediations. She is an effective advocate for clients after her tenure as a judicial officer in the Maricopa County Superior Court and a participant on the Maricopa County Superior Court Mental Health Roster. She is an award-winning jurist with experience teaching family law courses at local institutions.