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 New York

16 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 York

New York has separate Family Court (for custody, support, paternity, DV) and Supreme Court (for divorce) systems. NYC's Family Court operates in all five boroughs. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement. NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of NYC, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Legal Services NYC provide substantial family law aid.

16 Resources

1. FamilyKind — NY State Certified Online Parenting Class — Paid

New York State certified Parent Education and Awareness Program (PEAP) accepted by all NY courts. Takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete online at your own pace. Certificate downloads immediately upon completion. Limited fee waivers available for qualifying low-income participants. Call (929) 479-2975 or visit familykind.org. Email info@familykind.org with questions about waivers or certification.

(929) 479-2975 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

2. NY Courts — Parent Education & Awareness Program — Free

Official NY Court System page listing all court-approved Parent Education and Awareness Program providers statewide. NY courts require this program in divorce and custody cases involving children. Courses take approximately 4–5 hours to complete and are available online and in-person. Find a court-approved provider in your county or complete the course online before your first court date.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

3. NYC Family Court — Custody/Visitation Mediation Program — Free

Free in-court mediation for contested custody and visitation cases in all five NYC Family Courts. Cases are referred by the judge or can be requested by either party at any time. A trained neutral mediator helps both parents reach a parenting agreement without a trial. Bring a list of your concerns and any proposed schedule. Mediation is confidential and agreements are submitted to the judge.

Mon–Fri, by court referral · Visit Website

4. EAC Network — Long Island Custody Mediation (Nassau) — Free

Free custody and visitation mediation for Nassau County parents through the Long Island Dispute Resolution Center. Both court-referred and self-referred cases accepted. Located at 175 Fulton Avenue, Suite 400, Hempstead. Call (516) 489-7733 or email CVMediation_LIDRC@eac-network.org to schedule. Trained mediators help parents reach written parenting agreements that can be submitted to Family Court.

(516) 489-7733 · 175 Fulton Avenue, Suite 400, Hempstead, NY 11550 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

5. OurFamilyWizard — Co-Parenting App — Paid

The most widely court-ordered co-parenting communication platform in NY. Features include a shared custody calendar, tamper-proof messaging, expense tracking, and an info bank for child documents. NY judges regularly order its use in custody cases. Subscription required after trial period. Available at ourfamilywizard.com on desktop and mobile. Ask your attorney about court-ordered reimbursement of subscription fees.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

6. TalkingParents — Co-Parenting Communication — Free

Free basic tier with unalterable, court-admissible messaging records for co-parents. All communications are time-stamped and cannot be edited or deleted after sending. Widely used in NY custody cases as a neutral, documented communication channel. Upgrade options available for shared calendars and expense tracking. Download from app stores or access via browser at talkingparents.com.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

7. NY Courts — Family & Divorce Mediation Program — Free

Statewide program of Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) offering free or low-cost mediation of parenting and divorce disputes outside of court. Find your nearest CDRC by county at nycourts.gov. Mediators help parents create workable parenting plans without costly litigation. Sessions are confidential and voluntary. Agreements can be submitted to Family Court for incorporation into a court order.

Varies by location · Visit Website

8. NY Supervised Visitation Program — Court Information — Free

Official NY Courts information on supervised visitation orders — how they are granted, what they require, and how to find court-approved supervised visitation centers near you. Explains the difference between supervised and unsupervised visitation and what steps a parent can take to modify a supervised order. Find providers by county through the NY Courts website. Free to access online 24/7.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

9. NY Peace Institute — Family Mediation (NYC) — Paid

Non-profit providing community mediation, family dispute resolution, and parenting conflict services in New York City. Trained mediators help parents negotiate custody schedules, communication protocols, and parenting plans. Sliding-scale fees available based on income. Located at 30 Broad Street, Suite 1400. Call (212) 577-1740 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm to schedule a session or learn about services.

(212) 577-1740 · 30 Broad Street, Suite 1400, New York, NY 10004 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

10. Erie County Family Court Mediation (Buffalo) — Free

Free court-connected custody and visitation mediation for Erie County parents in Buffalo and surrounding areas. Both court-referred and self-referred cases are accepted. Located at 1 Niagara Plaza, Buffalo. Call (716) 845-7400 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm to inquire. Mediators help parents develop parenting plans and resolve disputes without going to trial. Agreements can be submitted to Family Court.

(716) 845-7400 · 1 Niagara Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14202 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

11. Albany County CDRC — Family Mediation — Free

Community Dispute Resolution Center for Albany County providing free or low-cost custody and parenting mediation. Located at 45 Colvin Ave., Albany. Call (518) 482-5234 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm to request mediation. Trained mediators help parents reach custody and visitation agreements outside of court. Fees are based on a sliding scale for low-income families. Agreements can be submitted to Family Court.

(518) 482-5234 · 45 Colvin Ave., Albany, NY 12206 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

12. Onondaga County CDRC — Family Mediation (Syracuse) — Free

Community mediation center serving Syracuse and Onondaga County for custody, visitation, and parenting disputes. Located at 205 S. Salina St., Suite 520, Syracuse. Call (315) 471-4676 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Trained mediators help parents reach practical, written parenting agreements. Sliding-scale fees based on income. Agreements reached through mediation can be submitted to Family Court for approval.

(315) 471-4676 · 205 S. Salina St., Suite 520, Syracuse, NY 13202 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm

13. Westchester County CDRC — Family Mediation — Free

Community dispute resolution center for Westchester County families dealing with custody, visitation, and co-parenting conflicts. Located at 200 Bloomingdale Rd., Suite 3, White Plains. Call (914) 946-2422 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Mediation is free or sliding-scale for qualifying families. Trained mediators help parents build practical parenting plans. Agreements can be submitted to Family Court.

(914) 946-2422 · 200 Bloomingdale Rd., Suite 3, White Plains, NY 10605 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

14. Suffolk County CDRC — Family Mediation (Long Island) — Free

Community dispute resolution for Suffolk County families on Long Island. Free and low-cost mediation for custody and parenting disputes. Located at 64 N. Main St., Sayville. Call (631) 760-6776 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Trained mediators assist parents in building workable parenting schedules and communication agreements. Fees are sliding-scale. Agreements can be filed with Suffolk County Family Court.

(631) 760-6776 · 64 N. Main St., Sayville, NY 11782 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm

15. Putting Kids First — NY Court-Approved Parenting Class — Paid

Online parent education course accepted by New York courts. Focuses on reducing conflict and protecting children during separation and divorce. Complete at your own pace from any device. Upon finishing, download your completion certificate immediately to submit to the court. Accepted statewide. Ideal for parents who have been ordered to complete a PEAP course before their custody hearing.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

16. Safe Horizon Mediation Program — NYC — Free

Free mediation for family and community disputes in NYC. Helps parents resolve custody disagreements, parenting schedule conflicts, and co-parenting communication issues without going to court. Call (718) 834-6687 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Sessions are confidential and voluntary. Bilingual mediators available. Agreements reached can be submitted to Family Court for incorporation into a court order.

(718) 834-6687 · New York, NY · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

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.