Genesee County FOC - Mediation Program

Co-Parenting · Michigan · 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.

Contact & Details

Address: 630 S Saginaw St, Suite 2500, Flint, MI 48502

Phone: 810-257-3300

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

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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.

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
  • Child & Family Services of Western Michigan - Supervised Visitation — Provides supervised visitation and safe exchange services for families in the Grand Rapids area where court-ordered supervision is required.

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.