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.
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.
More Co-Parenting in Tennessee
Tennessee Parenting Plan Forms — Official Tennessee Supreme Court standardized parenting plan forms required for all custody proceedings, including permanent and temporary p
OurFamilyWizard — Co-parenting communication platform widely accepted by Tennessee family courts. Features include a shared calendar, expense tracking, info b
TalkingParents — Court-admissible co-parenting communication app used by Tennessee families. All messages are timestamped, uneditable, and stored as a perman
Mediation Services of Knoxville — Community mediation center providing family mediation for custody, parenting time, and co-parenting disputes in the Knoxville and East Tenne
AppClose Co-Parenting App — Free co-parenting app with a shared calendar, secure messaging, expense tracking, and check-in features used by families in Tennessee courts
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.