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.
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.
More Co-Parenting in Michigan
Oakland County FOC - Mediation Services — Court-connected mediation program helping Oakland County parents reach agreements on custody, parenting time, and co-parenting arrangements
Kent County FOC - Mediation Program — Offers mediation services for Kent County parents in custody and parenting time disputes in Grand Rapids, helping parents create workable co
OurFamilyWizard — Co-parenting communication platform widely accepted by Michigan courts. Features shared calendars, messaging, expense tracking, and a ToneMe
TalkingParents — Court-admissible co-parenting communication app used by Michigan families. All messages are timestamped, uneditable, and create permanent re
Michigan SCAO - Parenting Time Guidelines — Official Michigan Supreme Court parenting time guidelines providing a framework for parenting time schedules when parents cannot agree. Used
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.