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 North Dakota

11 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 Dakota

North Dakota district courts handle family matters across seven judicial districts. The Child Support Division operates under DHHS. Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot are the largest cities. Legal Services of North Dakota is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

11 Resources

1. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Digital co-parenting platform used by North Dakota parents and courts to manage custody schedules, shared expenses, messaging, and document storage in one secure record. Accessible 24/7 online and through mobile apps. Annual subscription fees apply; fee waivers may be granted by court order. Messages are court-admissible. Have the other parent's email, any custody order, and the children's schedules ready during setup.

Online platform · 24/7 online · Visit Website

2. Talkingparents.com — Paid

Court-admissible co-parenting communication platform used by North Dakota parents to keep a tamper-proof record of messages, shared calendars, and expense disputes. Available 24/7 online and through mobile apps with free and premium tiers. Useful when a judge has ordered written-only communication. Have the other parent's email, any custody order, and a list of recurring expenses ready when you set up your account.

Online platform · 24/7 online · Visit Website

3. Up to Parents — ND — Free

Free online co-parenting commitment program designed to reduce conflict and help North Dakota parents focus on what is best for their children during and after divorce. Courts in some counties accept completion as evidence of good-faith parenting. Access anytime at uptoparents.org. No appointment needed. Have your children's ages, custody arrangement, and about an hour of quiet time ready when you begin the course.

Online platform · 24/7 online · Visit Website

4. Cooperative Parenting Institute — Paid

Online co-parenting courses and printable resources for separated and divorced North Dakota parents focused on reducing conflict, improving communication, and protecting children from fallout. Enroll 24/7 at cooperativeparenting.com. Course fees apply. Some North Dakota judges accept completion certificates to meet parent-education requirements. Have payment, your custody order, and a quiet study space ready to start.

Online resource · 24/7 online · Visit Website

5. YMCA of Cass Clay — Family Programs — Paid

Family-focused workshops, parent-child activities, and co-parenting support offered by the YMCA serving the Fargo-Moorhead metro. The 1st Avenue branch is open Mon-Fri 5am-10pm with weekend hours. Call (701) 293-9622 to ask about current parenting classes and childcare drop-in. Membership and class fees apply and financial assistance is available. Bring photo ID and proof of income when requesting sliding-scale rates.

(701) 293-9622 · 400 1st Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103 · Mon-Fri 5am-10pm · Visit Website

6. ND Extension Service — Family Strengthening — Free

NDSU Extension family-life specialists offer free programs, curricula, and workshops supporting communication, co-parenting, and child-development skills in households across North Dakota. Reach the Morrill Hall office in Fargo Mon-Fri 8am-5pm at (701) 231-8944 or your county extension office. Classes are usually free or low-cost. Have your county of residence and children's ages ready when you request a class schedule.

(701) 231-8944 · Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58108 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Cozi Co-Parenting App — Free

Free family-organization app widely used by North Dakota co-parents to manage shared calendars, grocery and to-do lists, meal plans, and family contacts across two households. Available 24/7 on web and mobile. Premium tier available for fee. No court approval needed to use. Have the other parent's email, each child's school and activity schedules, and your phone ready to finish setup in about ten minutes.

Online platform · 24/7 online · Visit Website

8. 2Houses — Co-Parenting Platform — Paid

Online co-parenting tool for North Dakota families offering shared calendars, expense tracking with receipt uploads, and secure messaging between separated parents. Available 24/7 on the web and mobile apps with a monthly subscription. Useful when money disputes are frequent. Have the other parent's email, any custody order, and a starting list of recurring child-related expenses ready when you set up your household.

Online platform · 24/7 online · Visit Website

9. ND 4-H Family Programs — Free

NDSU Extension 4-H offers youth development, leadership, and family programming in every North Dakota county, giving fathers structured activities to share with their children. Call the state 4-H office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm at (701) 231-7971 or visit ndsu.edu/4h to find your local club. Enrollment fees are minimal and scholarships are available. Have your county of residence and each child's age and interests ready.

(701) 231-7971 · Statewide 4-H offices · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. FirstLink — Family Support — Free

Statewide referral and support helpline that connects North Dakota families with co-parenting classes, counseling, and basic-needs resources around the clock. Call (701) 235-7335 or dial 211 any time. Trained specialists search a local database based on your ZIP code and situation. Useful when you do not know where to start. Have a short description of the issue, any children's ages, and your ZIP code ready.

(701) 235-7335 · Statewide service · 24/7 · Visit Website

11. Sanford Health Behavioral Health — Family Therapy — Paid

Family therapy, couples counseling, and co-parenting sessions delivered by licensed therapists at Sanford Health clinics across Fargo and North Dakota. The Broadway campus is open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with evening hours at some locations. Call (701) 234-2000 to schedule. Most insurance is accepted and sliding-scale pricing may apply. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and any current custody order to the first session.

(701) 234-2000 · 801 Broadway N, Fargo, ND 58122 · Mon-Fri 8am-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.