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 Kansas

10 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 Kansas

Kansas district courts handle family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts. The Child Support Services division operates under the Department for Children and Families. Wichita, Kansas City KS, Overland Park, and Topeka are the largest cities. Kansas Legal Services provides statewide civil legal aid, with fathers' rights and family law among the top case types.

10 Resources

1. Kansas Courts – Parenting Plan Resources — Free

The Kansas Judicial Branch provides free online guidelines, sample parenting plans, and downloadable forms to help separated or divorcing parents develop custody and visitation schedules that meet state legal requirements. Fathers can review the resources 24/7 before filing or mediation to understand what courts expect. The materials cover schedules, decision-making, holidays, and dispute resolution. Completed plans can be submitted through the appropriate district court clerk.

24/7 online · Visit Website

2. Sedgwick County Mediation — Free

Sedgwick County District Court mediation services provide court-connected mediation for families resolving custody, visitation, and parenting-plan disputes in Wichita. Fathers may be referred by the court or can request mediation voluntarily. Bring photo ID, any existing court orders, and a proposed parenting schedule to the session. The office at 525 N Main is open weekdays and helps parents reach written agreements that can be submitted for judicial approval.

316-660-5801 · 525 N Main St, Wichita, KS 67203 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. K-State Extension – Family Programs — Free

Kansas State Research and Extension offers research-based family and co-parenting programs statewide through county extension offices, with classes, online modules, and printed resources on communication, conflict resolution, and child development. Fathers can contact the Manhattan office or their local extension agent to find classes. Programs serve separating, divorcing, or never-married parents and support healthy parent-child relationships across households.

785-532-5773 · Manhattan, KS 66506 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Douglas County Mediation – Lawrence — Free

Douglas County District Court offers mediation services for parents resolving custody, visitation, and parenting-plan disputes in the Lawrence area. Fathers may be referred by the court or request mediation voluntarily. Bring photo ID, any existing court orders, pay stubs, and a proposed parenting schedule to sessions. The courthouse at 111 E 11th St is open weekdays and helps parents draft written agreements for submission to a judge.

785-832-5256 · 111 E 11th St, Lawrence, KS 66044 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. KU Center for Public Partnerships & Research — Free

The University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research develops and evaluates evidence-based family strengthening, fatherhood, and co-parenting programs in partnership with state agencies and community organizations. Fathers can access program information, referrals, and research through the Lawrence office on Sunnyside Ave. The center works with agencies statewide to improve outcomes for children and families through data-informed programming and training.

785-864-7650 · 1000 Sunnyside Ave, Lawrence, KS 66045 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. Kansas Children's Service League – Healthy Families — Free

Kansas Children's Service League's Healthy Families program provides free voluntary home visiting for expectant and new parents in at-risk families, supporting healthy parent-child bonds, child development, and family stability from pregnancy through age three or five. Fathers can enroll alongside the child's mother or independently. Contact the Topeka office on SW 5th St weekdays to check eligibility and start intake. Visits are conducted in the family's home.

785-274-3100 · 3545 SW 5th St, Topeka, KS 66606 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Reno County Mediation – Hutchinson — Free

Reno County District Court offers mediation services for parents resolving custody, visitation, and parenting-plan disputes in the Hutchinson area. Fathers may be referred by a judge or request mediation voluntarily. Bring photo ID, any existing court orders, and a proposed parenting schedule to the session. The courthouse at 206 W 1st Ave is open weekdays and helps parents reach written agreements that can be submitted for judicial approval.

620-694-2951 · 206 W 1st Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Butler County Mediation – El Dorado — Free

Butler County District Court mediation services help parents resolve custody, visitation, and parenting-plan disputes in El Dorado and the surrounding area. Fathers may be referred by the court or request mediation voluntarily. Bring photo ID, any existing court orders, and a proposed parenting schedule. The courthouse at 201 W Pine St is open weekdays and supports parents in developing written agreements that can be submitted to a judge for approval as part of a case.

316-322-4300 · 201 W Pine St, El Dorado, KS 67042 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Finney County Mediation – Garden City — Free

Finney County District Court offers mediation services for parents in southwest Kansas resolving custody, visitation, and parenting-plan disputes. Fathers may be court-ordered or can request mediation voluntarily through the clerk's office. Bring photo ID, any existing court orders, and a proposed parenting schedule. The courthouse at 425 N 8th St is open weekdays and helps parents reach agreements that can be submitted for judicial approval and incorporated into a final order.

620-271-6100 · 425 N 8th St, Garden City, KS 67846 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Crawford County Mediation – Pittsburg — Free

Crawford County District Court mediation services help parents in southeast Kansas resolve custody, visitation, and parenting-plan disputes. Fathers may be referred by the court or request mediation voluntarily. Bring photo ID, any existing court orders, pay stubs, and a proposed parenting schedule to sessions. The courthouse at 602 N Locust in Pittsburg is open weekdays and helps parents reach written agreements that can be submitted to a judge for approval.

620-231-0100 · 602 N Locust, Pittsburg, KS 66762 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · 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.