Iowa Children's Justice – Co-Parenting

Co-Parenting · Iowa · Free

Iowa Judicial Branch initiative that supports families navigating custody, divorce, and other transitions affecting children. Resources include court-approved parenting plan guidance, education classes required in some Iowa counties, and links to local mediators. Fathers can call for program info or visit the Judicial Branch website. Most services coordinated through the Polk County courthouse in Des Moines. Free public information.

Contact & Details

Address: 1111 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319

Phone: 515-281-5911

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

Visit Website

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 Iowa

Iowa district courts hear family cases in all 99 counties, with the Child Support Recovery Unit under the Department of Human Services managing enforcement. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City are the largest metros. Iowa Legal Aid is the statewide LSC-funded program, with every county having a self-represented litigant coordinator.

More Co-Parenting in Iowa

  • Iowa Courts – Parenting Plan Resources — Official Iowa Judicial Branch self-help pages covering parenting plans, visitation schedules, and related court forms under Iowa law. Father
  • Iowa Mediation Service — Statewide family mediation for co-parenting, custody, and visitation disputes, helping Iowa parents reach voluntary agreements without a con
  • Up with Fathers – Iowa — National organization offering free co-parenting resources, articles, and self-help tools tailored to fathers, applicable to Iowa residents.
  • OurFamilyWizard – Iowa Courts Approved — Co-parenting communication app accepted by Iowa family courts for documenting messages, shared calendars, expenses, and parenting time excha

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.