Co-Parenting in New Jersey

15 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 New Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC-funded programs covering all 21 counties.

15 Resources

1. NJ Courts - Parent Education Program — Paid

Court-required parent education program for divorcing parents with minor children in New Jersey. Covers the emotional impact of divorce on children, effective co-parenting strategies, and communication techniques between separated parents. Available through NJ Superior Court vicinages statewide. Class sessions vary by county and are typically scheduled after a divorce complaint is filed. Fee waivers may be available for those with financial hardship. Completion is mandatory before divorce is finalized.

Available through NJ Superior Court vicinages statewide · Class sessions vary by county · Visit Website

2. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Co-parenting communication platform widely accepted by NJ courts. Features shared parenting calendars, expense tracking, document storage, and a ToneMeter tool that flags hostile language before sending messages. Call 866-755-9991 or email support@ourfamilywizard.com Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm CT. Available on web and mobile app. Subscription required but fee waivers available for qualifying low-income families. Records can be exported and used as court evidence in custody disputes.

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

3. TalkingParents — Free

Court-admissible co-parenting communication app used by NJ families to maintain documented, professional communication. All messages are timestamped, uneditable, and create a permanent record suitable for court submission. Email support@talkingparents.com for assistance; the platform is available online 24/7. Free basic plan available. Certified records can be printed or provided to attorneys. Ideal for high-conflict co-parenting situations where accountability in communication is critical.

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

4. Essex County Family Division - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation services helping Essex County parents resolve custody and parenting time disputes without adversarial litigation. Located at 212 Washington St in Newark. Call 973-693-5560 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. A neutral mediator facilitates discussions to help parents create workable parenting plans. Mediation is confidential and free for eligible Essex County families. Sessions are typically scheduled through the Family Division after a custody case is opened.

973-693-5560 · 212 Washington St, Newark, NJ 07102 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Bergen County Family Division - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation program helping Bergen County parents reach voluntary agreements on custody, parenting time, and co-parenting arrangements. Located at 10 Main St in Hackensack. Call 201-221-0700 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Sessions are facilitated by trained volunteer mediators and are free for eligible families. Mediation is confidential. Parents can avoid court hearings by reaching an agreement through mediation that is then formalized by a judge.

201-221-0700 · 10 Main St, Hackensack, NJ 07601 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. Partners for Women and Justice - Co-Parenting Support — Free

Free legal representation helping NJ parents navigate custody, parenting time, and co-parenting arrangements, particularly in domestic violence situations. Located in Bloomfield at 650 Bloomfield Ave. Call 973-233-0111 or email info@partnersnj.org Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm. Attorneys provide direct representation in custody hearings and help survivors understand their legal rights. Services available statewide with priority given to survivors of domestic violence facing custody challenges.

973-233-0111 · 650 Bloomfield Ave, Suite 209, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Hudson County Family Division - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation services helping Hudson County parents resolve custody and parenting time disputes through facilitated negotiation. Located at 595 Newark Ave in Jersey City. Call 201-795-6777 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Free for eligible Hudson County families. A trained mediator guides structured discussions to help parents develop cooperative parenting plans without adversarial court proceedings. Sessions are confidential and agreements are submitted to the judge for approval.

201-795-6777 · 595 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Middlesex County Family Division - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation program helping Middlesex County parents reach cooperative agreements on custody and parenting time arrangements. Located at 120 New St in New Brunswick. Call 732-645-4300 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Trained volunteer mediators facilitate sessions at no cost to eligible families. Mediation is confidential and avoids the expense and stress of contested court hearings. Agreements reached through mediation are presented to a judge for a final custody order.

732-645-4300 · 120 New St, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Camden County Family Division - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation services for Camden County parents working to resolve custody and parenting time disputes cooperatively without litigation. Located at 101 S Fifth St in Camden. Call 856-379-2200 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Mediation is free for eligible families and facilitated by trained volunteer mediators. Sessions are confidential. Successful mediation agreements are filed with the court and converted into a formal parenting plan order by the family division judge.

856-379-2200 · 101 S Fifth St, Camden, NJ 08103 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. Mercer County Family Division - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation services in Trenton helping Mercer County parents resolve custody and parenting time disputes without adversarial hearings. Located at 175 S Broad St. Call 609-571-4200 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Free for eligible families. Mediators help parents communicate and develop shared parenting plans. Sessions are confidential and voluntary. Agreements can be formalized into a court order. An effective alternative to costly contested custody litigation in Mercer County.

609-571-4200 · 175 S Broad St, Trenton, NJ 08650 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

11. Coparently App — Paid

Co-parenting app offering shared calendars, expense tracking, secure messaging, and schedule management tools widely accepted by NJ family courts. Available on web and mobile. Email support@coparently.com for assistance; the platform is accessible online 24/7. Subscription required for full features. Helps co-parents coordinate visitation, track shared expenses, and document communications. All messages are time-stamped and stored, making records available for court if needed.

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

12. AppClose Co-Parenting App — Free

Free co-parenting communication platform featuring secure messaging, shared calendar, expense tracking, and location check-in features widely used by NJ families. Available as a web platform and mobile app; email support@appclose.com for help. No cost for core features. Messages are stored and time-stamped for accountability. Helps co-parents coordinate pick-ups, document expenses, and share important child information without relying on personal phone contact.

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

13. Union County Family Division - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation program in Elizabeth helping Union County parents resolve custody and parenting time matters cooperatively and without adversarial court proceedings. Located at 2 Broad St. Call 908-527-4980 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Free for eligible families. Trained volunteer mediators guide sessions to help parents develop mutually agreeable parenting plans. Agreements are submitted to the family division judge for formal court order approval.

908-527-4980 · 2 Broad St, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

14. Monmouth County Family Division - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation services in Freehold helping Monmouth County parents develop parenting plans and custody agreements without contested hearings. Located at 71 Monument Park. Call 732-677-4200 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Free for eligible families. Trained volunteer mediators facilitate structured, confidential sessions. Parents who agree on a parenting plan through mediation avoid the time and cost of a trial. Agreements are incorporated into a court-issued custody order.

732-677-4200 · 71 Monument Park, Freehold, NJ 07728 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

15. NJ Council on Divorce Mediation — Paid

Professional organization connecting NJ families with certified divorce and co-parenting mediators who promote cooperative resolution of family disputes. Call 609-921-0085 or search the online mediator directory 24/7. Mediators are trained professionals who can help with divorce, custody, parenting plans, and property division outside of court. Choosing private mediation through NJCDM often costs less and resolves faster than contested litigation. Search by county to find a certified mediator near you.

609-921-0085 · Statewide mediator directory · Online 24/7

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.