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 Minnesota

11 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 Minnesota

Minnesota district courts hear family matters across its 87 counties. The Child Support Enforcement Division operates under DHS. Minneapolis-Saint Paul anchors the state; Rochester, Duluth, and Bloomington are other major metros. Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid cover the state through regional LSC-funded programs.

11 Resources

1. Minnesota Fathers & Families Network — Free

Statewide network offering programs and peer support to strengthen father involvement and healthy co-parenting relationships, based at the University Avenue office in St. Paul. Connects dads with parenting classes, legal referrals, and employment help. Call or email to schedule intake; bring photo ID and a summary of your family situation. Free services for Minnesota fathers of any income level.

612-399-9035 · 2446 University Ave W #104, St. Paul, MN 55114 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

2. Parent Aware – Co-Parenting Resources — Free

Free statewide information on quality-rated child care, co-parenting programs, and early childhood education, administered by Child Care Aware of Minnesota. Parents can search ratings online or call for referrals and scholarship information. No income limit to use the search tool; scholarships may require pay stubs and household info. Useful for co-parents choosing shared care.

888-291-9811 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Up2Us Mediation & Facilitation — Paid

Mediation services for co-parenting conflicts, parenting plan development, and family communication at the East Franklin Avenue office in Minneapolis. Works with parents in and outside of active court cases. Call to schedule; bring photo ID, any existing court orders, and a summary of disputed issues. Fees charged on a sliding scale; both parents typically attend joint sessions.

612-722-7882 · 2525 E Franklin Ave #200, Minneapolis, MN 55406 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

4. Conflict Resolution Center — Paid

Mediation and facilitation for co-parenting disputes, family conflicts, and neighborhood disagreements from the Hennepin Avenue office in Minneapolis. Trained mediators work with both parents to develop parenting plans and communication agreements. Call or email to schedule; bring photo ID, any court orders, and a summary of disputes. Fees on a sliding scale based on income.

612-822-9883 · 2101 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Minnesota Court – Parenting Plan Guide — Free

Free official templates, guidelines, and instructional videos for creating effective parenting plans in Minnesota family court, available statewide 24/7 on the judicial branch website. Covers custody, parenting time schedules, holiday sharing, and decision-making. No intake required; download forms and worksheets to prepare for court or mediation. Useful for self-represented parents.

24/7 online · Visit Website

6. Children's Home Society – Family Programs — Free

Family support programs that strengthen co-parenting and parent-child bonds from the Eustis Street office in St. Paul. Offers parenting education, therapy, adoption support, and child welfare case consultation. Call to schedule intake; bring photo ID, any court orders, and a summary of family situation. Free and low-cost services available for qualifying Minnesota families.

651-646-7771 · 1605 Eustis St, St. Paul, MN 55108 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Relate Counseling Center — Paid

Family, couples, and individual counseling focused on improving co-parenting relationships and communication from the St. Louis Park office. Licensed therapists work with separated, divorcing, and never-married co-parents. Accepts most insurance with sliding fees for self-pay. Call to schedule; bring photo ID and insurance card. Evening hours available for working parents.

952-932-7277 · 4820 Minnetonka Blvd #401, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 · Mon-Thu 8am-9pm, Fri 8am-5pm

8. Dakota County Conciliation Court – Family Mediation — Free

Low-cost court-connected mediation for parenting time, custody, and co-parenting disputes for Dakota County residents from the Hastings Government Center. Mediators help parents reach agreements outside of contested hearings. Call or file with the court to schedule; bring photo ID, existing court orders, and a summary of disputes. Fees waived or reduced for qualifying low-income parents.

651-438-4970 · 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Parents Forever – University of MN Extension — Paid

Statewide co-parenting education program for divorcing and separating parents with children, meeting court-ordered parent education requirements in many Minnesota counties. Offered online and at community sites through U of M Extension from the St. Paul campus. Register online; a small fee usually applies but waivers are available. Completion certificate accepted by Minnesota family courts.

612-624-3010 · 240 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Family Means – Co-Parenting Counseling — Paid

Counseling, mediation, and parenting education to help co-parents communicate and cooperate from the Stillwater office serving the east metro and St. Croix Valley. Licensed therapists and mediators work with families at all stages of separation. Accepts most insurance with sliding fees. Call to schedule; bring photo ID, any court orders, and insurance card.

651-439-4840 · 1875 Northwestern Ave S, Stillwater, MN 55082 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Community Mediation & Restorative Services — Paid

Co-parenting mediation, restorative dialogue, and conflict resolution for families, schools, and neighbors in the Duluth and Arrowhead region from the East Superior Street office. Trained mediators work with both parents to develop agreements. Call to schedule; bring photo ID, any court orders, and a summary of disputes. Fees on sliding scale; some services free.

218-727-4439 · 722 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

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.