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 Nebraska

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 Nebraska

Nebraska district courts hear family matters in each of its 93 counties, with many counties using county court for paternity and child support. The Child Support Enforcement division operates under DHHS. Omaha and Lincoln dominate the state's population. Legal Aid of Nebraska is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid provider statewide.

14 Resources

1. Douglas County Mediation Center — Free

Court-connected mediation center helping separated and divorcing parents in Omaha develop custody and parenting time plans outside of contested court. Based at the Douglas County courthouse on Farnam Street, mediators work weekdays with referred and self-referred fathers. Call ahead to schedule and screen for program fit. Bring existing court orders, a draft parenting schedule, and a list of disputed issues to make sessions productive.

402-444-4879 · 1701 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68183 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Lancaster County Mediation — Free

Family mediation services connected to the Lancaster County family court, helping Lincoln-area fathers and co-parents negotiate custody, parenting time, and communication issues outside of contested hearings. Operates from the South 10th Street courthouse weekdays. Call to schedule and screen for eligibility. Bring existing court orders, proposed schedules, and a written list of disputed issues to make your sessions more productive.

402-441-7281 · 575 S 10th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

3. UNL Extension – Family Programs — Free

Research-based parenting education and co-parenting programs delivered statewide through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offices, covering child development, divorce-related parenting, and healthy family communication. Fathers can find local classes, online modules, and county-specific workshops through the Extension website. Most programs are free or low-cost. Good complement to court-ordered parenting plans and mediation.

402-472-2966 · Lincoln, NE 68583 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Mediation Center – Omaha — Paid

Nonprofit family mediation center serving the Omaha metro area, helping separated and divorcing fathers negotiate parenting schedules, holiday time, and decision-making without a contested hearing. Sessions take place at the Leavenworth Street office weekdays. Fees follow a sliding scale; call to screen eligibility and schedule. Bring existing court orders, your proposed parenting schedule, and a list of disputed issues to each session.

402-345-1125 · 3102 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68105 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

5. Nebraska Children & Families Foundation — Free

Statewide nonprofit supporting family strengthening, early childhood, and community-based parenting programs through local partner agencies. The Lincoln office on Centennial Mall South serves as a hub for fathers looking to connect to evidence-based parenting workshops, kinship care support, and prevention services in their county. Call or visit the website weekdays for local program referrals; most services are free through partners.

402-476-9401 · 215 Centennial Mall S #200, Lincoln, NE 68508 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Hall County Mediation — Free

Family mediation program tied to the Hall County courthouse in Grand Island, helping central Nebraska fathers and co-parents resolve custody, parenting time, and communication disputes outside of contested court. Call during weekday business hours to schedule and screen for program fit. Bring existing court orders, a draft parenting schedule, and a written list of issues you want to address to make mediation sessions more productive.

308-385-5135 · Grand Island, NE 68801 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

7. Sarpy County Mediation Services — Free

Court-connected mediation program at the Sarpy County courthouse in Papillion, helping Bellevue, Papillion, and La Vista fathers resolve custody and parenting time disputes. Mediators meet during weekday business hours at the Golden Gate Drive location. Call to schedule and screen for eligibility. Bring existing court orders, a proposed parenting schedule, and a list of disputed items to help structure the session effectively.

402-593-2251 · 1210 Golden Gate Dr, Papillion, NE 68046 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. Buffalo County Mediation – Kearney — Free

Family mediation services connected to the Buffalo County courthouse in Kearney, helping central Nebraska fathers negotiate custody, visitation schedules, and decision-making disputes outside of contested hearings. Mediators meet during weekday business hours at the Central Avenue courthouse. Call to schedule. Bring any existing court orders, your proposed parenting plan, and a written list of disputed issues to your session.

308-236-1226 · 1512 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

9. Boys Town – Parenting Resources — Free

Evidence-based parenting skills training, co-parenting support, and family resources offered by Boys Town at its Nebraska headquarters and online. Fathers can call the 24/7 hotline for parenting guidance, access free articles and video content, or ask about on-site workshops. The campus on Crawford Street serves as a national hub for programs supporting struggling families and fathers looking to strengthen their parenting approach.

800-448-3000 · 14100 Crawford St, Boys Town, NE 68010 · 24/7 hotline · Visit Website

10. Adams County Mediation – Hastings — Free

Family mediation services associated with the Adams County courthouse in Hastings, helping south central Nebraska fathers and co-parents resolve custody and parenting time disputes without contested hearings. Mediators meet during weekday business hours. Call to schedule and screen for eligibility. Bring existing court orders, a proposed parenting schedule, and a written list of disputed issues to keep sessions focused and productive.

402-461-7146 · Hastings, NE 68901 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

11. Lincoln County Mediation – North Platte — Free

Court-connected mediation services for the North Platte area helping fathers and co-parents negotiate custody and parenting time outside of contested court. Sessions are scheduled during weekday business hours through the Lincoln County courthouse. Call to request intake and confirm program fit. Bring existing orders, a proposed parenting schedule, and a list of unresolved issues to help your session produce workable agreements.

308-535-8080 · North Platte, NE 69101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

12. Dodge County Mediation – Fremont — Free

Family mediation services tied to the Dodge County courthouse in Fremont helping fathers and co-parents negotiate custody, visitation, and decision-making disputes outside contested hearings. Sessions scheduled weekdays during business hours. Call to screen eligibility and book. Bring any existing court orders, your proposed parenting schedule, and a written list of disputed items to each session to make the most of your time with the mediator.

402-727-2730 · Fremont, NE 68025 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

13. Madison County Mediation – Norfolk — Free

Family mediation services in northeast Nebraska connected to the Madison County courthouse, helping Norfolk-area fathers and co-parents resolve custody, parenting time, and communication disputes outside of contested court. Sessions are scheduled during weekday business hours. Call to screen eligibility and book. Bring existing court orders, a proposed parenting schedule, and a written list of disputed issues to keep sessions focused.

402-644-8700 · Norfolk, NE 68701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

14. Scotts Bluff County Mediation — Free

Family mediation services for the western Nebraska panhandle connected to the Scotts Bluff County courthouse in Gering, helping fathers and co-parents resolve custody, parenting time, and decision-making disputes without contested hearings. Scheduled weekdays during business hours. Call to screen eligibility and book a session. Bring any existing court orders, a proposed parenting schedule, and a list of disputed items to help move talks forward.

308-436-6600 · Gering, NE 69341 · Mon-Fri 8am-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.