FamilyKind — NY State Certified Online Parenting Class

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.

More Co-Parenting in New York

• NY Courts — Parent Education & Awareness Program — Official NY Court System page listing all court-approved Parent Education and Awareness Program providers statewide. NY courts require this
• NYC Family Court — Custody/Visitation Mediation Program — 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
• EAC Network — Long Island Custody Mediation (Nassau) — Free custody and visitation mediation for Nassau County parents through the Long Island Dispute Resolution Center. Both court-referred and s
• OurFamilyWizard — Co-Parenting App — The most widely court-ordered co-parenting communication platform in NY. Features include a shared custody calendar, tamper-proof messaging,
• TalkingParents — Co-Parenting Communication — Free basic tier with unalterable, court-admissible messaging records for co-parents. All communications are time-stamped and cannot be edite
• NY Courts — Family & Divorce Mediation Program — Statewide program of Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) offering free or low-cost mediation of parenting and divorce disputes outs

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.