Co-Parenting Communication Tools And Apps

Co-parenting apps and websites are designed to help divorced or separated parents manage communication, scheduling, and expenses. At GordenLaw, our Lincoln, NE family lawyer knows that no technological tool can truly reduce conflict in difficult situations, however, using these tools can make court oversight cleaner and easier and help keep co-parents organized and balanced during difficult communications with their child’s other parent.

Co-parenting applications can help remove petty back and forth about: whether and when a parent was informed of an activity or expense; whether a temporary change in schedule or plan was truly agreed to; whether the entirety of a communication was included in a court exhibit; and the tone of communications. For co-parents who already work together well, these tools simply help keep families and professionals who work with them centrally organized.

Here’s a comparison of the co-parenting tools we regularly recommend to clients based on features, ease of use, and price:

1. OurFamilyWizard

• Features:
  • Shared calendars, messaging, expense tracking, and document storage.
  • “ToneMeter” to help parents avoid hostile communication (Attorney Gorden’s favorite!).
  • Secure messaging that’s admissible in court.
  • Journal feature for documenting important events.
• Ease of Use:
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
  • Available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as a web platform.
• Price:
  • $99 per year, per parent.
  • Scholarships available for those who qualify.

2. Cozi Family Organizer

• Features:
  • Shared calendar, shopping lists, and to-do lists.
  • Meal planning and recipe storage.
• Ease of Use:
  • Simple, easy-to-navigate design.
  • Widely used and popular for general family organization.
  • Available on iOS, Android, and web.
• Price:
  • Free with ads.
  • Premium version is $29.99 per year for an ad-free experience and additional features.

3. TalkingParents

• Features:
  • Secure Communication: Messaging, calls, and video calls are recorded and stored, making them court-admissible.
  • Shared Calendar: Helps organize custody schedules, events, and appointments.
  • Document Storage: Parents can upload and share important documents such as school records, legal documents, and more.
  • Expense Tracking: Allows parents to manage and split expenses related to child-rearing.
  • Recordkeeping: Every interaction is stored securely and can be downloaded for legal purposes.
• Ease of Use:
  • Clean interface, though slightly more complex due to the range of features like calling and video options.
  • Available on iOS, Android, and web.
• Price:
  • Free basic plan with limited features (such as messaging only).
  • Premium plan for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year includes all features, such as call and video recording.
  • Additional costs for downloading full records of calls or messages ($9.99 per download).

4. 2Houses

• Features:
  • Shared calendar, expense tracking, messaging, and photo album.
  • Offers a “Journal” for documenting events and activities.
  • Allows tracking of shared custody schedules.
• Ease of Use:
  • User-friendly interface and visually appealing design.
  • Available on iOS, Android, and web.
• Price:
  • $12.50 per month per family or $149 per year.

5. AppClose

• Features:
  • Shared calendar, expense tracking, messaging, and document storage.
  • Integrated with payment systems for easy child support or expense reimbursement.
  • Court-admissible records of communication.
• Ease of Use:
  • User-friendly and modern design.
  • Available on iOS and Android.
• Price:
  • Free, with optional in-app purchases for premium features.

With over 18 years of combined experience at our practice, we know these apps all work really well. Each has their own biggest benefit:

• Best For Comprehensive Features: OurFamilyWizard offers the broadest set of features, especially useful for high-conflict situations where court-admissible communication is necessary.
• Best For Ease Of Use: Cozi for it’s simple color coding and to-do checklists.
• – Best Budget Option: AppClose stands out for being free with a broad set of features, though premium options are available at an extra cost.
• Best For Secure Communication: TalkingParents is a strong choice for parents needing secure and court-admissible communication records, with its built-in messaging, call, and video recording capabilities.
• Best For Expense Tracking: OurFamilyWizard offers strong expense tracking capabilities, which can be helpful for managing shared financial responsibilities.

Awarded 10 Best Client Satisfaction from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, we know how tricky co-parenting can be. However, there are lots of great tools out there that can certainly make it easier. If you need more help with your co-parenting plan, contact GordenLaw, LLC for help today!