Supporting sustainable co-parenting after separation: a behavioural framework for family law professionals

Marcie Shaoul, Author of The Co-Parenting Method, founder of The Co-Parent Way and a communications and conflict resolution specialist

Separating parents often reach carefully negotiated agreements, only for conflict to resurface months later. This article by David Emmerson and Marcie Shaoul explores why parenting arrangements that work on paper frequently fail in practice, and what family lawyers, mediators and collaborative practitioners can do differently.

Drawing on research and the 2026 Family Solutions Group report, the piece highlights that it is not separation itself but ongoing parental conflict that most impacts children’s wellbeing. It introduces the Six-Step Co-Parenting Method Framework, a practical, behavioural model designed to support sustainable co-parenting beyond the legal process.

The framework equips professionals with structured tools to help parents manage emotion, set boundaries, improve communication and establish durable decision-making processes. Rather than aiming for harmony, it focuses on functionality, enabling parents to maintain stable, child-focused arrangements over time.

For family law professionals, the article offers a clear shift in approach: from resolving immediate disputes to building long-term co-parenting capacity. The result is reduced repeat conflict, more durable agreements and better outcomes for children.