Best Co-Parenting in New Jersey — 10 resources

About Co-Parenting for Women

Co-parenting programs help separated and divorced mothers share custody constructively and document communication. Most states require court-ordered parent education (often called 'children first' or 'co-parenting' classes) before finalizing a divorce or custody order involving minor children — typically 4–6 hours, online or in person, costing 5–$75. Court-based mediation programs are often free or sliding-scale and certified through state mediation councils. Digital tools like OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses provide court-admissible message logs, shared calendars, and expense tracking that family judges increasingly require in high-conflict cases. This directory includes state-required classes, mediators, and co-parenting apps.

Co-Parenting in New Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC programs, and the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) supports women statewide.

10 Resources

1. Catholic Charities NJ — Family Services — Free

Catholic Charities NJ — Family Services provides communication tools, parenting plans, and shared-custody coordination for women in New Jersey. Contact (973) 596-4100 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(973) 596-4100 · Multiple NJ locations · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Parents as Teachers — NJ — Free

Evidence-based parent education for separating and divorcing parents. Contact the office or visit in person to learn about services, eligibility, and how to begin. Bring any existing custody orders and a brief written list of issues to discuss to make your first visit or call as productive as possible. Hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm — free for qualifying women.

Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Our Family Wizard — Free

Industry-leading co-parenting app for shared calendars, messaging, expense tracking, and court-admissible records for separating and divorcing parents. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for separating and divorcing parents who need vetted, plain-language information on parenting plan mediation, co-parenting education, shared calendars, and conflict resolution. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

4. TalkingParents — Free

Co-parenting communication app with secure messaging, calendar, and unalterable records for court use for separating and divorcing parents. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for separating and divorcing parents who need vetted, plain-language information on parenting plan mediation, co-parenting education, shared calendars, and conflict resolution. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

5. AppClose — Free

Free co-parenting app with shared calendar, messaging, expense tracking, and parenting plan tools for separating and divorcing parents. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for separating and divorcing parents who need vetted, plain-language information on parenting plan mediation, co-parenting education, shared calendars, and conflict resolution. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

6. 2houses — Free

Co-parenting platform for shared calendars, expense tracking, and family medical records. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for separating and divorcing parents who need vetted, plain-language information on parenting plan mediation, co-parenting education, shared calendars, and conflict resolution. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Coparenter — Free

Co-parenting communication and mediation app with on-demand expert help for separating and divorcing parents. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for separating and divorcing parents who need vetted, plain-language information on parenting plan mediation, co-parenting education, shared calendars, and conflict resolution. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Up to Parents — Free

Free online co-parenting course recommended by family courts. Helps parents focus on children's needs. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for separating and divorcing parents who need vetted, plain-language information on parenting plan mediation, co-parenting education, shared calendars, and conflict resolution. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Cozi Family Organizer — Free

Free shared family calendar, lists, and reminder app — useful for co-parents coordinating schedules. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for separating and divorcing parents who need vetted, plain-language information on parenting plan mediation, co-parenting education, shared calendars, and conflict resolution. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Custody X Change — Free

Software for creating parenting plans, custody schedules, and tracking visitation time for separating and divorcing parents. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for separating and divorcing parents who need vetted, plain-language information on parenting plan mediation, co-parenting education, shared calendars, and conflict resolution. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many co-parenting resources are in New Jersey?
Women's Corner tracks 10 co-parenting resources for women in New Jersey.
Are co-parenting resources in New Jersey free?
10 of the 10 listed co-parenting resources in New Jersey are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in New Jersey have co-parenting resources?
Resources serve multiple cities and counties in New Jersey.
What are some examples of co-parenting resources in New Jersey?
Featured entries include Catholic Charities NJ — Family Services, Parents as Teachers — NJ, Our Family Wizard, TalkingParents, AppClose.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
1 of 10 New Jersey co-parenting listings include phone numbers.
Is a parenting class required for divorce?
In most states, yes — a 4–6 hour court-approved co-parenting class (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. The class is gender-neutral and focuses on protecting kids from conflict.
What's mediation and do I have to do it?
Mediation is a confidential negotiation with a neutral third party to agree on a parenting plan. Most states require at least one mediation session before contested custody hearings. It's faster, cheaper, and less traumatic than litigation. If there's domestic violence history, you can request to opt out or have separate-room mediation.
Which co-parenting app should I use?
OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses are accepted as evidence in court in most US jurisdictions. They provide tamper-proof message logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and a tone-monitoring feature. If your ex is abusive or harassing, these apps create a documented record judges will read.
How do I co-parent with someone who was abusive?
Use parallel parenting instead of cooperative co-parenting — minimize contact, use a court-monitored app for all communication, exchange the child at a neutral location or police station, and stick strictly to the written parenting plan. Document everything. Many states allow supervised exchanges through Safe Exchange programs at no cost.