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 Tennessee

13 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 Tennessee

Tennessee circuit and chancery courts hear family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts, with some counties operating juvenile courts for unmarried-parent custody. Tennessee Child Support Services operates under DHS. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the major metros. Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Memphis Area Legal Services, and West Tennessee Legal Services cover the state.

13 Resources

1. Tennessee Parenting Plan Forms — Free

Official Tennessee Supreme Court standardized parenting plan forms required for all custody proceedings, including permanent and temporary plans with residential schedules, decision-making, and child support worksheets. Serves parents statewide filing or modifying custody orders. Forms can be downloaded from the Tennessee Judicial Branch website; self-represented parents should also review the accompanying instructions and confer with the local circuit court clerk about filing procedures.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Nashville Conflict Resolution Center - Mediation — Paid

Court-connected mediation for Davidson County parents in custody, parenting time, and divorce disputes. Offers sliding-scale fees based on household income and can be used either by agreement or on court referral. Serves Nashville-area parents. Participants should bring photo ID, any existing parenting plan or court order, and basic information about schedules, income, and child needs. Mediators help parents draft written agreements to file with the court.

615-255-0558 · 800 2nd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Co-parenting communication platform widely accepted by Tennessee family courts. Features include a shared calendar, expense tracking, info bank, and a ToneMeter tool, plus court-exportable message records. Serves separated and divorced parents statewide. Users subscribe individually, set up their family profile, invite the other parent, and can share access with attorneys and mediators. Having a current parenting plan handy helps configure the calendar accurately.

866-755-9991 · App/web-based · Online 24/7; phone Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT · Visit Website

4. TalkingParents — Free

Court-admissible co-parenting communication app used by Tennessee families. All messages are timestamped, uneditable, and stored as a permanent record that can be exported for court or attorney review. Features include accountable messaging, shared calendar, and secure file sharing. Serves separated and divorced parents statewide. Users sign up, invite the other parent, and can optionally upgrade for additional features; having a current parenting plan handy helps set up schedules.

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

5. Mediation Services of Knoxville — Paid

Community mediation center providing family mediation for custody, parenting time, and co-parenting disputes in the Knoxville and East Tennessee area. Sessions are led by trained neutral mediators and can be voluntary or court-referred. Participants should bring photo ID, any existing parenting plan or court order, and basic information on schedules, income, and child needs. Mediators help parents draft written agreements that can be filed with the court.

865-524-6195 · 10413 Kingston Pike, Suite 3, Knoxville, TN 37922 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

6. AppClose Co-Parenting App — Free

Free co-parenting app with a shared calendar, secure messaging, expense tracking, and check-in features used by families in Tennessee courts. Serves separated and divorced parents nationwide. Users sign up, invite the other parent, and can export messages and expense records for attorneys or court review. Having a current parenting plan handy helps configure the schedule and expense categories accurately at the first setup.

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

7. Cozi Family Organizer — Free

Free family scheduling app useful for co-parents to coordinate children's activities, maintain a shared color-coded calendar, and manage shared shopping, chore, and to-do lists across households. Serves families nationwide. Users create a family account, add each co-parent and child, and sync via mobile apps. Cozi is not a court-admissible communication tool; parents with court-ordered documentation needs should also use a dedicated co-parenting app.

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

8. Children in Between - Online Co-Parenting Class — Paid

Court-accepted online parenting education course covering co-parenting skills, reducing conflict, and understanding children's developmental needs during separation and divorce. Serves parents referred by Tennessee courts and those enrolling voluntarily. Users register online, pay a course fee, complete modules at their own pace, and receive a completion certificate that can be filed with the court. Parents should have their case number and court order available when registering.

Online course · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

9. Tennessee Voices for Children — Free

Statewide nonprofit promoting children's behavioral health and family support, including co-parenting resources, family engagement programs, and system-of-care coordination. Serves Tennessee families navigating mental health, custody, and school-related stressors. Families can call or email to be connected to local programs, peer support, and advocacy. Having child dates of birth, school information, and any prior mental health or court documentation ready helps staff make appropriate referrals.

615-269-7751 · 701 Bradford Ave, Nashville, TN 37204 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. Sunrise Family Counseling (Murfreesboro) — Paid

Family counseling practice in Murfreesboro offering co-parenting therapy, child and adolescent counseling, and family mediation for Rutherford County families. Serves parents navigating separation, divorce, or blended-family transitions. New clients should call to schedule an intake and bring photo ID, insurance information (including TennCare if applicable), and a copy of any current parenting plan or court order so sessions can be focused on the specific co-parenting issues involved.

615-893-0770 · 1604 W Northfield Blvd, Suite 205, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. UpToParents.org — Free

Free online resource helping Tennessee parents create personalized co-parenting agreements by walking through child-centered commitments and practical scheduling decisions. Accepted by many Tennessee courts as part of parent education. Serves separated and divorced parents statewide. Users work through the modules at their own pace, save their commitments, and can print or share results with the other parent or attorney. A current parenting plan helps align the commitments with court requirements.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

12. Tennessee Collaborative Divorce Professionals — Paid

Network of Tennessee attorneys, therapists, financial professionals, and coaches trained in collaborative divorce and co-parenting planning. Serves couples statewide who agree to resolve divorce and custody issues without litigation. Users can search the directory by city to identify professionals, then schedule consultations directly. At the initial consultation, bringing photo ID, a summary of the family situation, and any existing court or financial documents helps the professional assess fit.

Professionals statewide — search by TN city · Varies by provider · Visit Website

13. 2Houses Co-Parenting App — Paid

Co-parenting platform with shared calendars, expense tracking, messaging, an info bank, and a journal feature for documenting children's activities between homes. Serves separated and divorced parents in Tennessee and worldwide. Users create a family account, invite the other parent, and can grant read-only access to attorneys or mediators. Having the current parenting plan, school schedule, and typical expense categories handy helps set up the app accurately at first use.

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.