North Carolina Court Upholds Parenting Coordinator's Authority in Travel Dispute
What Happened?
A North Carolina court ruled that a parenting coordinator can create a process for reviewing international travel requests, resolving a dispute between divorced parents over their children's trips abroad.
Key points
- The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled on November 4, 2026, affirming the parenting coordinator's authority.
- Edward Fey demanded $3,000 or extra custody days in exchange for allowing his ex-wife to take their children abroad.
- The court found no evidence of safety concerns regarding the children's travel.
- The parenting coordinator established a formal process for handling international travel disputes.
- The ruling clarifies the role of parenting coordinators in North Carolina family law.
Key insights
- The decision reinforces the importance of children's best interests in custody disputes.
- Parents may face legal consequences if they use consent for personal gain.
- The ruling establishes a precedent for handling international travel requests in family law.
Why it matters
This ruling may influence how parenting coordinators handle travel disputes in custody cases.
Source
Times of India

