Top Co-Parenting Apps That Make Shared Custody Easier
For many separated or divorced parents, communication can be one of the biggest challenges in co-parenting. Between school schedules, extracurriculars, pickups, and unexpected changes, it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks—or worse, become a source of conflict.
Fortunately, there are tools designed specifically to help co-parents stay organized, accountable, and focused on what matters most: their child’s well-being.
In this post, we’ll break down some of the most helpful co-parenting apps, how they work, and why many family law attorneys recommend incorporating them into your parenting plan.
Why Co-Parenting Apps Matter
While texting and email might seem like convenient options, they often lead to miscommunication, missing records, or escalating tension. Co-parenting apps are designed to reduce those issues by:
Providing shared calendars
Storing communication records
Tracking expenses
Offering legal documentation of interactions
In some cases, judges will even require the use of a co-parenting app to reduce conflict and maintain clarity.
Here are a few of the most popular and effective tools available today.
1. OurFamilyWizard
Best For: All-in-one communication, documentation, and scheduling
OurFamilyWizard is one of the most widely recommended apps by family courts and attorneys. It allows parents to:
Share calendars
Track expenses and reimbursements
Message with a secure, time-stamped record
Upload important documents (like school schedules and medical records)
Many clients find it helpful because it creates a reliable, central location for all parenting-related communication.
App Store Links:
2. Talking Parents
Best For: Secure, court-admissible communication
Talking Parents focuses heavily on communication. Every message is time-stamped, uneditable, and stored for legal use if necessary. If you’re dealing with a high-conflict situation, this app helps ensure that everything is documented.
It also includes:
A shared calendar
Calling and video chat with call recordings
Payment history tracking
App Store Links:
3. Cozi
Best For: Easy-to-use family scheduling
Cozi isn’t exclusively a co-parenting app, but it’s a favorite among parents looking to simplify coordination. With a color-coded calendar and shared to-do lists, Cozi makes it easy to track:
School events
Sports practices
Grocery needs
Medical appointments
While it doesn’t offer the same legal protections as OurFamilyWizard or Talking Parents, it’s a user-friendly option for low-conflict co-parents.
App Store Links:
Choosing the Right App for Your Family
When selecting a co-parenting app, consider:
The level of conflict between you and your co-parent
Whether you need legal records of communication
How tech-savvy each parent is
What features (calendars, expenses, messaging) are most important
You may even want to include your app of choice in your parenting agreement, especially if documentation is important to your case.
How a Family Law Attorney Can Help
Co-parenting tools are just one part of building a successful custody arrangement. If you’re struggling with communication or want to make sure your parenting plan is enforceable and clear, working with a family law attorney can make all the difference.
At North Bay Family Law, we help clients:
Draft or modify parenting agreements
Recommend tools that support consistency and peace
Enforce existing custody orders if your co-parent is non-compliant
Need Support Navigating Custody and Communication?
Whether you’re new to co-parenting or looking to improve your current system, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how we can support your family with practical tools and strong legal guidance.