Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire (Savannah)

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.

More Co-Parenting in Georgia

• Georgia DCSS – Access & Visitation Program — Free voluntary program for parents with active child support cases. Provides mediation, co-parenting plans, supervised visitation, and couns
• Gwinnett County – Navigating Family Change Parenting Seminar — Court-required parenting seminar for all Gwinnett County parents with pending custody or divorce cases involving minor children. The seminar
• Cobb County – Seminar for Parents (court-required) — Four-hour educational seminar mandatory for all Cobb County parents in custody proceedings involving children under 18. Topics include the e
• OurFamilyWizard — Court-accepted co-parenting communication app used widely in Georgia family court proceedings. Features a shared calendar, secure messaging,
• TalkingParents — Co-parenting app with court-admissible messaging records. Free tier available with basic features; paid plans add shared calendar and expens
• Dream Weavers of Georgia – Supervised Visitation — Georgia-based supervised visitation and exchange center serving parents with court-ordered supervision requirements in Clayton County and su

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.