When PC Agreements are Ignored: Enforcement and Capacity

Feb 14, 2026·By Cori McGuire

When Parenting Coordination Agreements Are Not Followed

Parenting coordination is intended to support the implementation of existing parenting arrangements so families can reduce repeated court involvement and maintain stability for children. Most agreements reached through the PC process are followed. Occasionally, however, a parent treats a resolved agreement as optional.

When that occurs, it is important to understand the limits of the Parenting Coordinator’s role and when court involvement is required.

Agreements, Orders, and Enforcement in British Columbia

Not all parenting agreements carry the same legal effect.

Under section 6 of the Family Law Act, a written agreement respecting parenting arrangements may be filed with the court under section 44. Once filed, it has the same force and effect as a court order for enforcement purposes.

If an agreement has not been filed, it does not carry automatic enforcement authority, even if it was reached during parenting coordination. Whether an agreement should be formalized or filed is a legal question for the parties and their counsel, not the Parenting Coordinator.

When a Parenting Agreement Is Not Followed

Where a parent acts contrary to an existing parenting agreement or order, the parenting coordination process is limited to implementation‑focused clarification.

This may include identifying what occurred, confirming the operative parenting framework, and determining whether the issue can be addressed within the scope of the PC’s appointment. The process is not designed to assign fault, revisit resolved issues, or compel compliance.

If the matter cannot be addressed through clarification or consensus, the Parenting Coordinator’s role is to assess whether the issue remains implementable within jurisdiction.

An appropriate first step, if you believe an order or agreement was not followed by your coparent, is to contact the parenting coordinator for assistance. However, this action generates fees. Ideally, communicate with the co-parent first, without accusing, asking for an explanation of what appears to contradict an order agreement. It is at this stage where explanations are made, that implementation alternatives can be canvassed directly without PC intervention or fees. If jurisdictional allows and fairness requires it, reapportionment may occur for all additional parenting coordination fees incurred to implement orders and agreements.

Two Jurisdictionally Distinct Paths

Persistent non‑compliance typically leads to one of two outcomes.

Path A: Return to Court

Where non‑compliance reflects an inability or unwillingness to follow the parenting framework, or where enforcement or variation is required, the matter must return to court.

If an agreement has been filed under section 44, only the court has authority to address breaches, impose enforcement remedies, or alter parental responsibilities. The Parenting Coordinator has no enforcement powers and cannot substitute for judicial authority.

Path B: Parenting Coordinator Determination (Implementation Only)

Where the issue falls squarely within the Parenting Coordinator’s jurisdiction, the PC may issue a Determination strictly for the purpose of implementing the existing order or agreement.

A Determination does not respond to past non‑compliance and does not impose consequences. Its function is limited to restoring clarity and predictability within the established parenting framework.

Examples include:

• clarifying how existing terms are to operate in practice

• setting a structured implementation process to prevent recurrence

• reallocating PC fees where expressly authorized

Capacity and the Limits of the PC Role

Parenting Coordinators do not assess parental capacity, adjudicate credibility, or determine long‑term parenting arrangements. They do not enforce orders and do not compel participation or compliance.

Where a parent cannot or will not comply despite structure and clarification, the issue exceeds the Parenting Coordinator’s role and must be addressed by the court.

A Practical Orientation for Parents

When difficulties arise:

• maintain neutral records of what occurred

• focus communications on implementation, not blame

• raise the issue within the PC process only if it falls within jurisdiction

• seek legal advice where enforcement or variation may be required

Parenting coordination is a structured implementation process, not a parallel enforcement system. Understanding its limits protects both families and the integrity of the role.

Written by Cori L. McGuire, a Parenting Coordinator since 2008 and a family law lawyer since 1998 in British Columbia. Cori has many other articles on the parenting coordination process including: How PCs Manage Conflict, When a Co-operation Stops, and when actions cause it to fail such as Secret Recordings. Further reading by subject is found in our Resource Library.