ND Extension Service — Family Strengthening

Co-Parenting · North Dakota · 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.

Contact & Details

Address: Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58108

Phone: (701) 231-8944

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Visit Website

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.

More Co-Parenting in North Dakota

  • OurFamilyWizard — Digital co-parenting platform used by North Dakota parents and courts to manage custody schedules, shared expenses, messaging, and document
  • Talkingparents.com — Court-admissible co-parenting communication platform used by North Dakota parents to keep a tamper-proof record of messages, shared calendar
  • Up to Parents — ND — Free online co-parenting commitment program designed to reduce conflict and help North Dakota parents focus on what is best for their childr
  • Cooperative Parenting Institute — Online co-parenting courses and printable resources for separated and divorced North Dakota parents focused on reducing conflict, improving
  • YMCA of Cass Clay — Family Programs — Family-focused workshops, parent-child activities, and co-parenting support offered by the YMCA serving the Fargo-Moorhead metro. The 1st Av
  • Cozi Co-Parenting App — Free family-organization app widely used by North Dakota co-parents to manage shared calendars, grocery and to-do lists, meal plans, and fam

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.