Parenting Time Expeditor 

A Parenting Time Expeditor (PTE) is governed by statute Minn. Stat,. Sec. 518.1751. The parties can agree to appoint a PTE or the Court on its own motion can appoint a PTE. The expeditor is empowered by the statute to clarify, enforce and interpret existing parenting time order or address circumstances not contemplated by an existing parenting time order. The PTE uses both mediation and arbitration to resolve parenting time disputes. The PTE may not expand a parent's parenting time. The expeditor will mediate between the parties to try to resolve the parenting dispute; however, if the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the PTE has the power to make the final decision. The PTE's decision is binding on both of the parties until overturned by the Court. Information provided to the PTE is confidential. Neither party may call the expeditor to Court to testify. The PTE may serve continuously in the future for a specified period of time.

Common Issues Addressed:

• Whether one parent is denying another parent parenting time;
• Whether a parent is signing the children up for activities to interfere with the other parent's parenting time;
• Whether a parent should have first right of approval;
• Whether a child needs a certain medical care; and
• Whether a parent should be compensated for parenting time.