Murfreesboro child custody lawyer

Co-Parenting in the 21st Century – Using Apps to Communicate, Schedule, and More

When the parents of a minor child get divorced, parenting becomes more complicated. Co-parenting during and after a divorce has always been challenging for parents. Today, however, there are several apps that can make co-parenting easier, particularly if the parents do not communicate well and/or have a contentious relationship.  A Murfreesboro family attorney at Bennett, Michael & Hornsby discuss some common apps that may help you co-parent during and after your divorce.

Why Use an App?

Ideally, the parties in a divorce remain amicable and continue to work well together as co-parents long after the divorce is over. In reality, however, that is not always how it works. WhenMurfreesboro child custody lawyer the divorce process becomes adversarial, communicating about the kids becomes difficult, if not impossible. Animosity between the parents can continue for years after the divorce is over, making effective co-parenting almost impossible. With the advent of the electronic age, several apps are now available that aim to make co-parenting easier for separated or divorced parents. In fact, some courts order parents to use a co-parenting app when it becomes clear that the parties cannot communicate effectively without assistance.

Co-Parenting Apps

Each of the available co-parenting apps offers some basic features aimed at helping the parents communicate with each other and schedule parenting time. Unless the court orders you to use a specific app, it is best to explore each option to decide which is best for you and your circumstances. The following, however, is a brief guide to some common co-parenting apps to get you started.

  • Talking Parents. This app is especially useful for high-conflict divorces. Talking Parents lets you make calls or send texts from an anonymous number. It also records all calls and texts and stores those recordings. It also offers a shared calendar feature for parenting time scheduling and allows you to store documents (such as medical records) that need to be shared. There is a free option; however, if you want to take advantage of premium features it will cost you $9.99-$24.99 per month, per parent, as of 2021.
  • Custody X Change. Custody X Change is actually a web-based service instead of an app you download on your cell phone. What is great about Custody X Change, however, is that you can create an entire parenting plan that can be submitted to the court if you are still in the divorce process. It also allows you to keep a journal of interactions and create graphs showing the time you spend with the children. As of 2021, Custody X Change will run you $97-$147 a year per parent.
  • Our Family Wizard. Payments between parents can be made using Our Family Wizard, along with basic communication tools. What is really great about this app is that it offers free service if you show financial need and offers discounted service to military members. Others can expect to pay $12-$17 per month, per parent, as of 2021.
  • WeParent. WeParent offers all the basic communication and scheduling features found on other apps but does not offer premium services. On the plus side, WeParent is just $9.99 per month for the entire family (meaning both co-parents can use the app for that price). You can also apply for free or reduced-price service with WeParent.
  • Onward Co-Parenting Expenses. If you are only looking for an easy way to share and pay child related expenses with a co-parent, Onward is a great option. You can upload receipts and request/pay the co-parent using the app. Onward is a free iPhone app. 

Contact a Murfreesboro Family Attorney

If you have questions or concerns about how to co-parent during or after a divorce in Tennessee, it is important that you consult with an experienced Murfreesboro family attorney to discuss your options. Contact the team at Bennett, Michael & Hornsby as soon as possible by calling 615-898-1560 to schedule your free appointment.

Stan Bennett