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 Pennsylvania

10 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas handle family matters in each of its 60 judicial districts. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program operates through county domestic relations sections. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading are the major metros. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Neighborhood Legal Services (Pittsburgh), and MidPenn Legal Services cover most of the state.

10 Resources

1. Philadelphia Family Court - Parenting Education — Paid

Court-ordered parenting education program through Philadelphia Family Court helping parents learn effective co-parenting communication and child-focused conflict resolution strategies. Fathers in contested custody cases may be ordered to complete this program before or during litigation. The program covers communication with the other parent, reducing children's exposure to conflict, and maintaining consistent routines during transitions.

215-686-4000 · 1501 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Court-accepted co-parenting app used by Pennsylvania family courts to document custody exchanges, share expenses, and manage parenting schedules. Messages and records are stored and admissible in court. Judges across PA regularly recommend or order its use in contested custody cases. Fathers can use OurFamilyWizard to document communication, track child expenses, and maintain a shared schedule accessible to both parents and the court.

1-866-755-9991 · App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

3. TalkingParents — Free

Court-admissible co-parenting communication app widely accepted in Pennsylvania courts with unalterable message records, shared calendars, and documented custody exchanges. All communications are timestamped and cannot be edited or deleted, making them reliable evidence in court if disputes arise. Fathers involved in contested custody cases in PA can use TalkingParents to document all parenting communications and exchanges.

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

4. Montgomery County Custody Mediation Program — Paid

Court-connected mediation program helping Montgomery County parents reach custody agreements without lengthy litigation. A free orientation session is required before custody hearings are scheduled. A neutral mediator helps both parents develop a parenting plan focused on the child's best interests. Fathers participating in mediation can reach agreements on physical custody, legal custody, and holiday schedules more quickly than going to trial.

610-278-3707 · Montgomery County Courthouse, Norristown, PA 19401 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. CORA Services - Supervised Visitation (Philadelphia) — Paid

Provides supervised visitation and safe exchange services in Philadelphia for families referred by Family Court, ensuring safe parent-child contact in a neutral, monitored setting. Fathers ordered to have supervised visits can arrange sessions at CORA's facility. Staff monitor visits and document observations. Safe exchange services allow handoffs to occur without direct contact between parents when court-ordered. Referral from Family Court is typically required.

215-289-9555 · 8540 Verree Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19111 · By appointment · Visit Website

6. Lancaster Mediation Center — Paid

Nonprofit community mediation center providing family and custody mediation throughout Lancaster County with certified mediators. Mediation is voluntary and significantly less expensive than litigation. Fathers seeking custody agreements, holiday schedules, or modifications without court battles can work with a neutral mediator. Sliding-scale fees are available. Sessions are confidential and the mediator does not take sides or make legal decisions.

717-393-7573 · 29 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

7. AppClose Co-Parenting App — Free

Free co-parenting communication app accepted by Pennsylvania courts providing shared calendars, expense tracking, secure messaging, and documented custody exchanges. Unlike OurFamilyWizard, AppClose is free to download and use. Fathers can track child-related expenses, request schedule changes, and share parenting updates in a documented format courts recognize. Available on iOS and Android devices.

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

8. York/Adams Mediation Services — Paid

Nonprofit community mediation center providing affordable family and custody mediation for parents in York and Adams counties. Trained mediators help parents develop parenting plans, custody schedules, and holiday arrangements in a neutral, confidential setting. Fees are based on a sliding scale. Mediation is much faster and less adversarial than contested court hearings, helping fathers and mothers reach agreements that work for their children.

717-854-2120 · 27 S Beaver St, York, PA 17401 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

9. Berks County Custody Conciliation (Reading) — Paid

Court-sponsored conciliation program for Berks County parents to develop parenting plans and custody schedules with guidance from a trained conciliation officer. Conciliation is required before contested custody cases are heard by a judge in Berks County. The officer is neutral and helps parents structure an agreement covering physical and legal custody, holiday schedules, and communication. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to a hearing.

610-478-6208 · 633 Court St, Reading, PA 19601 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. Coparenter App — Paid

AI-powered co-parenting app offering mediation assistance, communication tools, and parenting schedule management accepted in PA courts for documentation purposes. The AI component helps de-escalate high-conflict messages before they are sent and suggests child-focused language. Fathers in contentious custody situations can use Coparenter to reduce conflict and maintain court-admissible records of all co-parenting communications.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · 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.