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 Michigan

12 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 Michigan

Michigan family courts (a division of circuit court) handle custody and related matters in each of its 83 counties, with Friend of the Court offices providing investigation, mediation, and enforcement support specific to Michigan. The Office of Child Support runs statewide enforcement. Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, and Sterling Heights are the largest metros. Michigan Legal Help online self-help center is one of the most robust in the US.

12 Resources

1. Oakland County FOC - Mediation Services — Free

Court-connected mediation program helping Oakland County parents reach agreements on custody, parenting time, and co-parenting arrangements in Pontiac. Serves parents with open cases in the 6th Circuit Court Family Division. Parties attend scheduled sessions with a trained mediator; bring photo ID, existing court orders, and any proposed parenting plan to the mediation conference.

248-858-0424 · 230 Elizabeth Lake Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Kent County FOC - Mediation Program — Free

Offers mediation services for Kent County parents in custody and parenting time disputes in Grand Rapids, helping parents create workable co-parenting plans before trial. Serves parents with open cases in the 17th Circuit Court Family Division. Parties attend scheduled sessions with a trained mediator; bring photo ID, existing court orders, and any proposed parenting plan to sessions.

616-632-6871 · 82 Ionia Ave NW, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Co-parenting communication platform widely accepted by Michigan courts. Features shared calendars, messaging, expense tracking, and a ToneMeter tool for moderating communication between parents. Serves parents with court-ordered communication requirements or who want a documented record. Subscription-based; each parent creates an account tied to their case. Support available by phone and email.

866-755-9991 · App/web-based · Online 24/7; phone Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT · Visit Website

4. TalkingParents — Free

Court-admissible co-parenting communication app used by Michigan families. All messages are timestamped, uneditable, and create permanent records suitable for court review. Serves parents with shared custody or court-ordered communication requirements. Basic messaging is free; premium features require a subscription. Each parent creates an account; records can be exported and printed for hearings.

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

5. Michigan SCAO - Parenting Time Guidelines — Free

Official Michigan Supreme Court parenting time guidelines providing a framework for parenting time schedules when parents cannot agree. Used by Friend of the Court offices statewide as a starting point for recommendations. Free online resource for parents, attorneys, and mediators; helps parents prepare proposed schedules aligned with the child's age and the distance between households.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

6. Child & Family Services of Western Michigan - Supervised Visitation — Paid

Provides supervised visitation and safe exchange services for families in the Grand Rapids area where court-ordered supervision is required. Serves parents with existing court orders from Kent County or surrounding counties. By appointment only; fees apply and sliding scale may be available. Bring photo ID and a copy of the court order for intake scheduling.

616-456-7566 · 1352 Turner Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 · By appointment; office Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Genesee County FOC - Mediation Program — Free

Offers mediation services for Genesee County parents in custody and parenting time disputes in Flint to develop cooperative co-parenting plans. Serves parents with open cases in the 7th Circuit Court Family Division. Parties attend scheduled sessions with a trained mediator; bring photo ID, existing court orders, and any proposed parenting plan to the mediation conference.

810-257-3300 · 630 S Saginaw St, Suite 2500, Flint, MI 48502 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Kalamazoo County FOC - Mediation Program — Free

Court-connected mediation for Kalamazoo County parents to resolve disputes about custody, parenting time, and co-parenting schedules. Serves parents with open cases in the 9th Circuit Court Family Division. Parties attend scheduled sessions with a trained mediator at the county courthouse; bring photo ID, existing court orders, and any proposed parenting plan to the session.

269-383-8075 · 227 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

9. Michigan Community Dispute Resolution Program — Free

Court-funded network of community mediation centers across Michigan, coordinated through SCAO, providing low-cost or free mediation for family disputes, custody, parenting time, and other civil matters. Serves residents statewide. Parties contact the local CDRP center by phone to schedule; bring photo ID and any court papers or correspondence related to the dispute.

517-373-4839 · State Court Administrative Office, Lansing, MI · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan - Co-Parenting Counseling — Paid

Offers family counseling, co-parenting support, and parent education for families navigating separation and divorce in the Detroit metro area from their Southfield office. Serves families regardless of religion. Fees may apply with sliding scale based on income. Intake is scheduled by phone; bring photo ID, insurance information if applicable, and any court orders affecting parenting.

248-548-4044 · 29425 Inkster Rd, Southfield, MI 48034 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Children's Assessment Center (Detroit) — Paid

Provides custody evaluation and family assessment services ordered by courts to help determine parenting arrangements in the best interest of children. Serves families with open Wayne County cases and referrals from other jurisdictions. Fees apply and are typically allocated by the court. Bring photo ID, the court order, and any existing court papers to scheduled intake appointments.

313-833-0200 · 1560 E Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48211 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Coparenter App — Paid

Co-parenting app offering communication tools, scheduling, expense tracking, and access to on-demand professional mediators. Accepted in Michigan family courts as a documentation tool. Serves parents with shared custody or high-conflict communication needs. Subscription-based; each parent creates an account tied to the shared case. Support is available by email through the in-app help center.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · 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.