Co-Parenting in Arizona

13 verified resources.

About Co-Parenting for Fathers

Co-parenting programs help separated and divorced parents share custody constructively, minimize conflict, and raise children across two households. Most states require court-ordered parent education (often called 'parenting classes' or 'children first' programs) before finalizing a divorce or custody order involving minor children. These classes are usually four to six hours, available online or in person, and cost 5–$75. Private co-parenting mediation is available through court-based mediation programs (often free or sliding-scale) and through private mediators certified by state mediation councils. Digital tools like OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses provide court-admissible communication logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and messaging — many family courts now encourage or require their use in high-conflict cases. This directory includes all three: state-required classes, mediators, and co-parenting apps.

Co-Parenting in Arizona

Arizona handles custody (called 'legal decision-making' and 'parenting time') in superior courts in all 15 counties. The Division of Child Support Services operates under DES. Maricopa County (Phoenix) runs the nation's busiest family court. Major metros include Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Chandler. Community Legal Services and Southern Arizona Legal Aid cover most of the state.

13 Resources

1. Maricopa County Conciliation Court - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation program within Maricopa County Superior Court for parents with open custody, parenting time, or legal decision-making cases. Certified mediators help parents develop parenting plans outside of trial. Free for qualifying cases referred by a judge, with limited fees otherwise. Offers in-person and video sessions. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a list of parenting-time concerns to the mediation appointment.

602-506-1648 · 222 N Central Ave, Suite 810, Phoenix, AZ 85004 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Co-parenting communication platform widely accepted and often ordered by Arizona family courts. Features a shared calendar with parenting-time schedule, secure messaging with timestamped records, shared expense tracking and reimbursement, document vault for school and medical records, and an optional ToneMeter tool that flags emotionally charged language. Available on web and mobile. Subscription required; some fee waivers available through court programs.

866-755-9991 · App/web-based · Online 24/7; phone Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT · Visit Website

3. TalkingParents — Free

Court-admissible co-parenting communication platform used by Arizona families navigating shared custody. All messages are timestamped, uneditable, and stored as permanent records that can be exported as PDF transcripts for court. Free tier includes unlimited secure messaging; paid tiers add recorded calls, video calls, shared calendar, and accountable payments. Available on web, iOS, and Android. Widely referenced in Arizona parenting plans.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Arizona Conflict Resolution (ACR) — Paid

Phoenix-area nonprofit mediation center providing family mediation services for custody, parenting time, and co-parenting disputes across Maricopa County at affordable rates. Trained neutral mediators help parents reach agreements on parenting plans, holiday schedules, and decision-making authority without court intervention. Offers sliding-scale fees based on income. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a list of issues to address to the mediation session.

602-234-1925 · 32 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

5. Pinal County Conciliation Court — Free

Court-connected mediation services within Pinal County Superior Court for parents with open custody, legal decision-making, and parenting time disputes in Casa Grande, Florence, Apache Junction, Maricopa, and surrounding communities. Certified mediators help parents develop workable parenting plans. Free or low-cost for qualifying cases referred by a judge. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a list of parenting concerns to your session.

520-866-5425 · 971 N Jason Lopez Cir, Bldg A, Florence, AZ 85132 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Yavapai County Conciliation Court — Free

Court-connected mediation and conciliation services for parents with custody and parenting time disputes in Yavapai County, including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Cottonwood, and the Verde Valley. Certified mediators help parents negotiate parenting plans and resolve disputes outside of trial. Free or low-cost for qualifying cases referred by a judge. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a list of issues to discuss at the session.

928-777-3220 · 120 S Cortez St, Prescott, AZ 86303 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

7. Coconino County Conciliation Court — Free

Court-connected mediation program within Coconino County Superior Court for parents with custody, legal decision-making, and parenting time disputes in Flagstaff, Page, Williams, and surrounding northern Arizona communities. Certified mediators help parents develop workable parenting plans outside of litigation. Free or low-cost for qualifying referred cases. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a written list of parenting concerns to the mediation session.

928-679-7600 · 200 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Children's Rights Council - Arizona — Free

Arizona-chapter activities of the national Children's Rights Council, a nonprofit promoting shared parenting and ongoing access to both parents after separation or divorce. Offers peer support groups, parent education, advocacy resources, and referrals for supervised visitation where applicable. Open to mothers, fathers, and caregivers seeking information on reunification and shared parenting. Check website for current Arizona event schedule and local contact.

202-547-6227 · National (AZ chapter activities) · Check website for AZ events

9. Arizona Family Mediation Center (Scottsdale) — Paid

Scottsdale-based private mediation practice offering professional family mediation services for co-parenting, custody, legal decision-making, property division, and divorce disputes. Mediators are approved by Maricopa County Superior Court. Sessions available in person and by video across the Phoenix metro. Flat-fee and hourly options; parties split cost. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a list of issues to resolve to each session.

480-998-1500 · 7301 E 2nd St, Suite 300, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

10. DivorceCare - Arizona Groups — Free

National Christian-based divorce recovery program hosted at churches across Arizona offering 13-week support group sessions. Each weekly meeting features a video teaching and small-group discussion covering co-parenting, grief, anger, forgiveness, rebuilding finances, and emotional healing after separation or divorce. Meetings are open to adults of any faith and typically free to attend. Search by ZIP code on the website to find a nearby local group.

Multiple AZ church locations (search by ZIP) · Weekly group sessions — check local group · Visit Website

11. Cochise County Conciliation Court — Free

Court-connected mediation program within Cochise County Superior Court for parents with custody, legal decision-making, and parenting time disputes in Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas, Willcox, and Benson. Certified mediators help parents develop parenting plans outside of trial. Free or low-cost for qualifying cases referred by a judge. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a written list of parenting concerns to the mediation session.

520-432-8570 · 100 Quality Hill Rd, Bisbee, AZ 85603 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Mohave County Conciliation Court — Free

Court-connected mediation program within Mohave County Superior Court for parents with custody, legal decision-making, and parenting time disputes in Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, and surrounding western Arizona communities. Certified mediators help parents develop parenting plans outside of court. Free or low-cost for qualifying cases referred by a judge. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a list of parenting concerns to the session.

928-753-0713 · 401 E Spring St, Kingman, AZ 86401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Yuma County Conciliation Court — Free

Court-connected mediation program within Yuma County Superior Court for parents with custody, legal decision-making, and parenting time disputes in Yuma, Somerton, San Luis, and Wellton. Certified mediators help parents develop workable parenting plans outside of trial. Spanish-language assistance typically available. Free or low-cost for qualifying cases referred by a judge. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, and a list of issues to discuss at the session.

928-817-4200 · 250 W 2nd St, Yuma, AZ 85364 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Co-Parenting — Common Questions

Is a parenting class required for divorce?
In most states, yes — a short court-approved co-parenting course (4–6 hours, 5–$75, often online) is required before any divorce or custody order involving minor children is finalized. Check your state court's approved provider list.
What's the difference between mediation and court?
Mediation is a confidential negotiation with a neutral third party helping both parents agree on a parenting plan. It's faster, cheaper, and less adversarial than litigation. If mediation fails or one parent refuses, the court decides. Court-based mediation programs are usually free or sliding-scale.
Which co-parenting apps do courts accept?
OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses are court-admissible in most US jurisdictions. They provide tamper-proof message logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and documentation judges will read if conflict escalates.
What is a parenting plan?
A written document (required in every custody order) detailing where the child lives, when each parent has parenting time, how decisions are made, how holidays are handled, how to resolve disputes, and how to handle changes. Courts provide templates; customized plans are stronger than boilerplate.