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.

Co-Parenting in Georgia

11 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 Georgia

Georgia superior courts hear divorce and custody in each of its 159 counties. The Division of Child Support Services under DHS handles enforcement. Atlanta anchors the state; Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and Athens round out major metros. Atlanta Legal Aid and Georgia Legal Services Program are the two primary civil legal aid organizations, with specific fathers' rights and child support help available.

11 Resources

1. Georgia DCSS – Access & Visitation Program — Free

Free voluntary program for parents with active child support cases. Provides mediation, co-parenting plans, supervised visitation, and counseling services. Open to both custodial and noncustodial parents enrolled in Georgia DCSS. Services help reduce conflict and strengthen parent-child relationships. Contact your local DCSS office at 1-877-423-4746 or email csinfo@dhs.ga.gov to ask about enrollment and available services in your county.

1-877-423-4746 · Statewide · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

2. Gwinnett County – Navigating Family Change Parenting Seminar — Paid

Court-required parenting seminar for all Gwinnett County parents with pending custody or divorce cases involving minor children. The seminar covers how children cope with family transitions, effective co-parenting strategies, and how to reduce conflict. Register online at the Gwinnett Courts website. Multiple dates available throughout the year. A small fee is charged. Completion certificate must be filed with the court before your hearing.

770-822-8100 · 75 Langley Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 · Register online; multiple dates · Visit Website

3. Cobb County – Seminar for Parents (court-required) — Paid

Four-hour educational seminar mandatory for all Cobb County parents in custody proceedings involving children under 18. Topics include the emotional impact of divorce on children, positive co-parenting communication, and minimizing parental conflict. A completion certificate is required before the court will finalize your case. Call 770-528-8100 for the current schedule and registration fees. The seminar is held at 30 Waddell St in Marietta.

770-528-8100 · 30 Waddell St, Marietta, GA 30090 · Call for schedule · Visit Website

4. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Court-accepted co-parenting communication app used widely in Georgia family court proceedings. Features a shared calendar, secure messaging, expense tracking, and document storage—all with timestamp documentation. Messages cannot be deleted, creating a reliable record for court use. Judges and GALs regularly reference OFW records. Annual subscription required. Discounts available through some legal aid programs. Download at ourfamilywizard.com.

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

5. TalkingParents — Free

Co-parenting app with court-admissible messaging records. Free tier available with basic features; paid plans add shared calendar and expense tracking. Messages are timestamped and permanently recorded, making the app useful for documenting communication in Georgia family court cases. Download on iOS or Android. Widely accepted by Georgia family courts as evidence. Visit talkingparents.com to create a free account and explore features.

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

6. Dream Weavers of Georgia – Supervised Visitation — Paid

Georgia-based supervised visitation and exchange center serving parents with court-ordered supervision requirements in Clayton County and surrounding areas. Provides a safe, neutral location for parent-child visits and monitored custody exchanges. Trained staff document visits and exchanges for court records. Call 770-478-1313 for scheduling and fee information. Required documentation includes the current custody order and court referral form.

770-478-1313 · Clayton County, GA · Call for schedule · Visit Website

7. Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire (Savannah) — Paid

Co-parenting classes and family mediation in Savannah/Chatham County area for court-involved and voluntary participants. Offers the court-required parenting seminar as well as private mediation sessions to help parents reach custody agreements without litigation. Certified mediators facilitate sessions. Call 912-234-3690 for class schedules and registration. Completing the seminar before your Chatham County court date is strongly recommended.

912-234-3690 · Savannah, GA · Call for schedule · Visit Website

8. Fulton County – Parents As Partners Seminar — Paid

Court-mandated parenting education seminar for Fulton County parents involved in custody or divorce cases with minor children. Covers child development, the impact of divorce on children, and how to communicate effectively with the other parent. A completion certificate is required before your case can be finalized. Call 404-612-2789 to get the current schedule and registration details. Located at 185 Central Ave SW in downtown Atlanta.

404-612-2789 · 185 Central Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 · Call for schedule · Visit Website

9. DeKalb County Parenting Seminar — Paid

Required co-parenting education class for DeKalb County parents in contested custody or divorce proceedings. Topics include how separation affects children, conflict reduction strategies, and building a positive co-parenting relationship. Must be completed before your hearing is finalized. Call 404-371-2020 for the current class schedule and fees. Located at the DeKalb County courthouse at 556 N McDonough St in Decatur.

404-371-2020 · 556 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030 · Call for schedule · Visit Website

10. AppClose – Co-Parenting App — Free

Free co-parenting communication app with shared calendar, expense tracking, and secure messaging with court-admissible records. Available for iOS and Android. AppClose keeps a permanent, timestamped record of all communications, making it useful for Georgia family court disputes. Upgrade to paid features for additional tools. Download at appclose.com or search AppClose in your app store. No subscription required for the free tier.

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

11. Chatham County Parenting Seminar (Savannah) — Paid

Court-required parenting education for Chatham County parents in custody and divorce cases involving minor children. Covers the emotional needs of children during family transitions, communication between co-parents, and conflict avoidance strategies. Completion certificate must be submitted before your case is finalized. Call Chatham County Superior Court at 912-354-6686 for current class dates, fees, and registration instructions. Located at 5105 Paulsen St in Savannah.

912-354-6686 · 5105 Paulsen St, Savannah, GA 31405 · Call for schedule · Visit Website

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.