Co-Parenting in North Carolina

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 North Carolina

North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina is the primary LSC-funded statewide civil legal aid program.

14 Resources

1. Wake County Family Court Services - Custody Mediation — Free

Court-based custody mediation program for Wake County families required before contested custody hearings. Certified mediators guide both parents in developing parenting plans covering schedules, holidays, decision-making, and communication. Mediation agreements become legally binding when filed with the court. Call 919-792-4000 to schedule. Located at 316 Fayetteville St, Raleigh. Both parents must attend. Bring calendars and any proposed schedules. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

919-792-4000 · 316 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

2. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Court-recommended co-parenting communication platform used across NC family courts. Features a shared calendar, expense tracking, secure messaging, and a ToneMeter that flags potentially inflammatory language before sending. All records are timestamped and uneditable, making them admissible in court. Available on iOS, Android, and web. Monthly subscription required. Visit ourfamilywizard.com to get started. Widely accepted by NC judges as documentation.

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

3. TalkingParents — Free

Co-parenting communication app that creates uneditable, timestamped records of all messages, calls, and shared files that are accepted by NC family courts as documentation. Features include secure messaging, a shared calendar, file vault, and recorded calls. A free tier is available with premium features on subscription. Available for iOS, Android, and web. Visit talkingparents.com to sign up. Ideal for high-conflict custody situations needing a clear communication record.

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

4. NC Judicial Branch - Parenting Plan Forms — Free

Official NC court forms for creating parenting plans and custody agreements available free online. Includes worksheets for parenting schedules, holidays, school and medical decision-making, and communication protocols. Forms are downloadable and fillable at nccourts.gov/documents/forms. Use these alongside the NC Judicial Branch self-help resources for unrepresented parents. No account required. Completed forms must be filed at your county courthouse.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

5. Exchange HOPE Center - Supervised Visitation — Paid

Safe supervised visitation and custody exchange center serving Wake County providing a neutral, monitored environment for parent-child visits in high-conflict custody cases. Trained monitors observe and document visits. Safe exchange service eliminates direct parent contact during custody transfers. Court-ordered and voluntary cases accepted. Call 919-301-8277 for intake and scheduling. Located at 3000 Highwoods Blvd, Raleigh. Saturday appointments available. Fees may apply.

919-301-8277 · 3000 Highwoods Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 · By appointment; Sat 9am-5pm

6. Parenting PATH (Parents And Teachers Helping) — Paid

Court-approved parenting education classes in NC covering co-parenting skills, child development, and reducing the impact of conflict on children. Classes fulfill the NC court requirement for parents in custody disputes. Sessions are offered weekly at multiple Charlotte-area locations. Online formats available. Call 704-927-0466 to register. Classes typically run 4-8 hours total. Certificates of completion are provided and accepted by NC family courts. Fees apply.

704-927-0466 · Charlotte, NC (multiple locations) · Classes scheduled weekly; call for times · Visit Website

7. Durham County Custody Mediation Services — Free

Court-based mediation for custody and visitation disputes in Durham County required before contested custody hearings. Certified mediators help both parents develop parenting plans addressing schedules, holidays, and decision-making. Agreements reached in mediation are filed with the court and become legally binding. Call 919-564-7100 to schedule. Located at 510 S Dillard St, Durham. Both parents must attend. Bring proposed schedule ideas and calendars. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

919-564-7100 · 510 S Dillard St, Durham, NC 27701 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Forsyth County Custody Mediation Program — Free

Court-mandated custody mediation for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County families helping parents reach parenting agreements without going to trial. Certified mediators facilitate sessions covering schedules, holidays, and major decision-making. Mediation must be completed before a contested custody hearing is scheduled. Call 336-779-6300 to schedule. Located at 200 N Main St, Winston-Salem. Both parents must attend. Bring calendars and proposed schedule ideas. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

336-779-6300 · 200 N Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Cumberland County Custody Mediation — Free

Court mediation services for Fayetteville and Cumberland County custody cases required before trial. Certified mediators help military and civilian families reach agreements on parenting schedules, visitation, and decision-making. Military families can request accommodations for deployment scheduling. Call 910-475-3000 to schedule. Located at 117 Dick St, Fayetteville. Both parents must attend. Bring proposed schedules and military orders if applicable. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

910-475-3000 · 117 Dick St, Fayetteville, NC 28301 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Buncombe County Custody Mediation — Free

Court-ordered custody mediation in Asheville and Buncombe County where certified mediators help parents develop custody schedules and parenting plans before contested hearings. Sessions cover parenting time, holidays, school year schedules, and decision-making responsibilities. Mediation is required before a contested custody case proceeds to trial. Call 828-259-3400 to schedule. Located at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville. Both parents must attend. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

828-259-3400 · 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Kids First of the Carolinas — Paid

Supervised visitation and safe exchange center in Charlotte providing neutral monitored visits for high-conflict custody situations to keep children safe. Trained monitors document visits and provide reports to courts. Safe exchange services allow parents to transfer children without direct contact. Court-ordered and voluntary cases accepted. Call 704-376-9480 to schedule. Located at 601 E 5th St, Suite 430, Charlotte. Saturday appointments available. Fees may apply.

704-376-9480 · 601 E 5th St, Suite 430, Charlotte, NC 28202 · By appointment; Sat available · Visit Website

12. CoParenter App — Paid

On-demand co-parenting communication platform with access to family law professionals for real-time dispute resolution, accepted by many NC courts. The app provides secure messaging, calendar sharing, document storage, and instant mediation with licensed professionals when conflicts arise. All communications are logged and timestamped. Available for iOS and Android. Visit coparenter.com for subscription options. Ideal for high-conflict custody situations needing structured communication.

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

13. New Hanover County Custody Mediation — Free

Court-based custody mediation for Wilmington and New Hanover County where certified mediators assist parents in developing parenting plans before contested hearings. Covers parenting schedules, holiday arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities. Mediation is required before a contested custody case goes to trial. Call 910-341-1120 to schedule. Located at 316 Princess St, Wilmington. Both parents must attend. Bring calendars and any proposed schedules. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

910-341-1120 · 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Pitt County Custody Mediation Services — Free

Court-ordered custody mediation for Greenville and Pitt County helping parents resolve custody and visitation disputes through certified mediation before trial. Mediators help both parents create legally binding parenting plans covering schedules, holidays, and decision-making. Required before a contested custody hearing. Call 252-830-6302 to schedule. Located at 100 W 3rd St, Greenville. Both parents must attend. Bring proposed schedule ideas and calendars. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

252-830-6302 · 100 W 3rd St, Greenville, NC 27858 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-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.