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 Louisiana

14 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 Louisiana

Louisiana is the only US state based on civil law (Napoleonic Code) rather than common law. Family matters are heard in district courts, with most parishes having dedicated family sections. The Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement Services handles enforcement. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are the major cities. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provide civil legal aid.

14 Resources

1. Mediation Institute of Louisiana — Paid

Professional family mediation services helping separating or divorced fathers resolve co-parenting disputes, custody schedules, and parenting plan agreements. Neutral, trained mediators facilitate discussions as a less costly, less adversarial alternative to court. Call 504-834-6000 or visit 3500 N Causeway Boulevard Suite 650 in Metairie weekdays. Fees may be shared between parties; some sliding-fee or court-referred reductions apply.

504-834-6000 · 3500 N Causeway Blvd #650, Metairie, LA 70002 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Caddo Parish Mediation Program — Free

Court-connected family mediation service in Caddo Parish helping fathers and co-parents resolve custody, visitation, and parenting schedule disputes without full trial. Often free or low-cost when referred by Caddo family court. Call 318-226-6545 or visit 501 Texas Street in Shreveport weekdays. Bring photo ID, any existing court orders, and child birth certificates to the first session.

318-226-6545 · 501 Texas St, Shreveport, LA 71101 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge — Free

Family support, parenting education, and resource referrals for Baton Rouge area fathers navigating co-parenting, special needs, and family transitions. Peer-led workshops, one-on-one assistance, and community events. Call 225-216-7474 or visit 3224 S Sherwood Forest Boulevard weekdays. Walk-ins welcome; bring photo ID and any relevant school or medical paperwork for family-specific resource planning and referrals.

225-216-7474 · 3224 S Sherwood Forest Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Louisiana Cooperative Extension – Family Programs — Free

Research-based parenting, co-parenting, and family life programs delivered statewide through the LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension network. Classes and resources cover communication, child development, and healthy co-parenting practices for fathers. Call 225-578-2262 or visit lsuagcenter.com for parish-level schedules. Programs are generally free and open to Louisiana residents through the statewide network of extension offices.

225-578-2262 · Baton Rouge, LA 70803 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Families Helping Families of Greater NOLA — Free

Family support, parenting education, and referral services for New Orleans area fathers and families, with emphasis on children with disabilities and special needs. Peer specialists assist with school, medical, and co-parenting navigation. Call 504-943-0343 or visit 3501 Severn Avenue in Metairie weekdays. Walk-ins welcome; bring photo ID and relevant school or medical records for one-on-one planning sessions.

504-943-0343 · 3501 Severn Ave, Metairie, LA 70002 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Families Helping Families of Acadiana — Free

Co-parenting support, parenting workshops, and family resources for fathers in Lafayette and the surrounding Acadiana parishes, with focus on special needs and family transitions. Peer specialists provide one-on-one navigation for school, medical, and co-parenting concerns. Call 337-984-1018 or visit 611 Harding Street weekdays. Bring photo ID and relevant school or medical documentation when meeting with staff.

337-984-1018 · 611 Harding St, Lafayette, LA 70503 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

7. Families Helping Families – Northeast Louisiana — Free

Family support and co-parenting resources for fathers in the Monroe region and surrounding northeast Louisiana parishes, with particular attention to special needs children. Peer-led workshops, referrals, and one-on-one navigation support. Call 318-361-0487 or visit 1301 Hudson Lane Suite 1 weekdays. Walk-ins welcome; bring photo ID and relevant school or medical records for individualized family planning.

318-361-0487 · 1301 Hudson Ln #1, Monroe, LA 71201 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Jefferson Parish Mediation Program — Free

Court-connected mediation program for co-parenting, custody, and family disputes in Jefferson Parish, offered through the clerk of court and family division. Trained mediators assist fathers and co-parents in reaching parenting agreements outside trial. Call 504-364-2900 or visit 200 Derbigny Street in Gretna weekdays. Bring photo ID, existing court orders, and birth certificates to the first scheduled session.

504-364-2900 · 200 Derbigny St, Gretna, LA 70053 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Families Helping Families – Northshore — Free

Family support, parenting training, and co-parenting resources for fathers in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and surrounding Northshore parishes, with focus on children with disabilities. Peer specialists provide school, medical, and co-parenting navigation. Call 985-875-0511 or visit 805 W 17th Avenue in Covington weekdays. Walk-ins welcome; bring photo ID and relevant school or medical records for individual sessions.

985-875-0511 · 805 W 17th Ave, Covington, LA 70433 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

10. OurFamilyWizard – Louisiana Courts — Paid

Subscription co-parenting communication app widely recognized by Louisiana family courts for messaging, shared calendars, expense tracking, and document storage between separated parents. Court-admissible message records help reduce conflict and document communication. Sign up at ourfamilywizard.com; monthly or annual subscription required. Some parents are ordered by judges to use the platform as part of their parenting plan.

24/7 online · Visit Website

11. Families Helping Families – Southwest Louisiana — Free

Family resources, parenting support, and co-parenting workshops for fathers in Calcasieu, Cameron, and surrounding Lake Charles region parishes, with focus on children with disabilities and special needs. Peer specialists assist with school, medical, and family navigation. Call 337-436-2570 or visit 1407 Petro Point Drive Suite 105 weekdays. Bring photo ID and relevant school or medical records.

337-436-2570 · 1407 Petro Point Dr #105, Lake Charles, LA 70607 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services – Parenting — Free

Statewide parenting resources, co-parenting information, and family support programs administered by DCFS including referrals to local parenting classes, home visiting, and Head Start. Call 888-524-3578 weekdays or visit 627 N 4th Street in Baton Rouge. Useful entry point for fathers seeking court-approved parenting classes, child support coordination, and family preservation services across Louisiana parishes.

888-524-3578 · 627 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

13. Rapides Parish Mediation Services — Free

Court-connected family mediation for fathers in the Alexandria and central Louisiana area. Trained mediators help co-parents resolve custody, visitation, and parenting plan disputes outside full trial. Call 318-473-6770 or visit 701 Murray Street weekdays. Bring photo ID, any existing court orders, and child birth certificates to the first session. Often available at reduced or no cost when court-referred.

318-473-6770 · 701 Murray St, Alexandria, LA 71301 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

14. Parents as Teachers – Louisiana — Free

Evidence-based home-visiting program supporting parents and co-parents of young children from prenatal through kindergarten statewide. Certified parent educators visit regularly offering child development guidance, screenings, and family resources. Call 225-342-0286 or visit parentsasteachers.org to find local affiliates. Free to enrolled Louisiana families; useful for fathers seeking structured, research-based parenting support during early childhood years.

225-342-0286 · 627 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · 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.