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 Washington

7 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 Washington

Washington superior courts handle family matters in each of its 39 counties. The Division of Child Support operates under DSHS. Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue are the major metros. Northwest Justice Project is the statewide LSC-funded program, with Snohomish County Legal Services, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Volunteer Legal Services, and King County Bar providing local support.

7 Resources

1. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Co-parenting communication platform widely accepted by Washington courts. Features shared calendars, expense tracking, journaling, secure messaging, and a ToneMeter tool that flags emotionally charged language before sending. Serves divorced, separated, and never-married parents statewide. Subscription-based with professional pricing and a fee-waiver option for low-income users. Sign up online; provide photo ID for verification and import the other parent's email to link accounts.

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

2. TalkingParents — Free

Court-admissible co-parenting communication app used by Washington families. All messages are timestamped, uneditable, and create permanent court records admissible in custody and modification cases. Serves divorced, separated, and never-married parents statewide. Free text-only plan plus paid plans with calling, calendar, and payments. Sign up online with email, verify identity, and invite the other parent to join; keep court orders and parenting plan on hand.

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

3. Within Reach - Parent Support — Free

Statewide initiative connecting Washington families with parenting resources, home visiting programs, health insurance enrollment, and family support services through the ParentHelp123 hotline. Serves expectant parents and parents of young children. Dads can call for referrals to local parenting classes, Head Start, Apple Health, WIC, and home visiting programs. No documents required to call; have ZIP code or county ready to route to nearby services.

1-800-322-2588 · 2815 2nd Ave, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98121 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; helpline 24/7 · Visit Website

4. Benton-Franklin Family Court - Mediation — Free

Court-connected mediation services for parents in the Tri-Cities area (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) working to create or modify parenting plans cooperatively. Serves self-represented and represented parents referred through Benton-Franklin Superior Court. Dads can request mediation via the court facilitator. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, parenting plan draft if any, pay stubs for support worksheets, and children's birth certificates. Court staff schedule sessions after intake.

509-736-3071 · 7122 W Okanogan Pl, Kennewick, WA 99336 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

5. Cowlitz County Family Law Facilitator — Free

Free court service for Cowlitz County parents with parenting plans, custody filings, and family court navigation in the Longview/Kelso area. Facilitators help self-represented dads understand procedure, review forms, and prepare for hearings but cannot give legal advice. Drop-in hours available; check website for schedule. Bring photo ID, prior court orders, draft parenting plan, filing fee or fee-waiver motion, pay stubs, and children's birth certificates.

360-577-3016 · 312 SW 1st Ave, Kelso, WA 98626 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. Coparently App — Paid

Co-parenting app for shared calendars, messaging, expense tracking, and parenting plan management used by Washington families and accepted by courts. Serves divorced, separated, and never-married parents statewide. Subscription-based; both parents create accounts to link. Sign up online with email, verify identity, and invite the other parent to join. Dads can export message history and expense logs for court filings. Keep parenting plan and court orders accessible for reference.

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

7. Resolution Washington - Co-Parenting Mediation — Paid

Statewide mediation network offering affordable family dispute resolution services specializing in co-parenting agreements, parenting plan modifications, and post-decree disputes. Coordinates with community-based dispute resolution centers across Washington counties. Serves dads on a sliding-fee scale; low-income parents may qualify for reduced or waived fees. Call or submit an online request; bring photo ID, prior court orders, parenting plan, and any related paperwork.

206-780-9522 · 1501 4th Ave, Suite 420, Seattle, WA 98101 · Mon-Fri 9am-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.