Parent arrangements are one of the major conflicts in divorce and separation.

Reducing the conflict during this emotional time is essential to effective parenting and this is where a family can look to a co-parenting app to help.

Co-parenting apps are a very effective tool in managing the day-to-day arrangements of the care of children. Co-parenting apps can assist with such things as calendars, medical history, money, and messaging. There are several apps available, some of which can be found below.

2Houses

2Houses is focused on helping separated parents communicate and organise their lives so they can focus their attention on the wellbeing of their children.

Features include:

• Calendar
• Expense log
• Custody schedules and journal
• Message log
• Info bank
• Photo storage
• Read-only access to other professionals

Cost: Free 14 day trial. $159 per year (billed at $13.25 per month).

https://www.2houses.com/en/

Our Family Wizard

Our Family Wizard is an app that is very communication focused. It includes options for third parties and extended families as well as the children to be a part of this app. This app has a function for parents to trade or swap time allowing for flexible parenting arrangements. In addition it can store important information about medical history and imunisations records allowing both parents to stay up to date on their parental responsibilities.

Features include:

• Calendar
• Document management

• Expense log
• Photo storage
• Info Bank
• Custody schedules
• Message Log
• Communication screening*

*The ‘ToneMeter’ is an optional extra that screens your communication in the app, picking up on negative messaging and giving you an alternative that is less likely to start an argument.

Cost: Annual subscriptions start at $99 for one year, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. ToneMeter is an additional $10 per year.

https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/

 WeParent

WeParent is great for navigating family life as it now supports all family types not just divorced or separated parents. Children over the age of 13 can also use the app with the family. The blog contains many practical and helpful tips for separated couples.

Features include:

• Calendar
• Document management
• Photo storage
• Custody schedules
• Message log
• Contact sharing

Cost: Free 14 day trial. $9.99 per month, $99.99 per year or $199.99 for a lifetime for your family.

https://weparent.app/

Parentship

Parentship is used by families, not just separated couples. The ‘dashboard’ function provides all users with a summary of upcoming events, recent messages or other notifications.

Features include:

• Calendar
• Expense Log
• Message Log
• Shared Contacts
• Info Bank
• Document storage

Cost: Free trial. Free (for up to 108 entries a month), $1.99 weekly, $3.99 monthly or $24.99 per year.

https://www.parentship.co/

 Cozi

Cozi has no financial commitment and is idea if parents have an amicable relationship and just want a family organiser. This app is not specifically targeted at separated couples but is designed to be an all-round family organiser. It also excellent for creating menu plans and to do lists.

Features include:

• Calendar
• Shared lists and notes

Cost: Free.

https://www.cozi.com/

 FamCal

FamCal is a great app to help families organise the basics. Everyone in the family even the children can access the shared calendar and use the functions to easily plan group activities.

Features include:

• Calendar
• Shared lists and notes

Cost: Free – with app upgrades available at a charge.

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/famcal-shared-family-calendar/id1098999871

Custody Connection

Custody Connection is a cloud-based custody calendar iphone app that acts as a primary calendar that the parent can sync with a co-parent. It auto tracks custody arrangements during the year and allows for trade requests.

Features include:

• Calendar
• Custody schedule
• Info bank

Cost: Free – with app upgrades available at a charge.

http://custodyconnection.com/

Coparently

Coparently has a unique feature that allows free guest access for caregivers and family law professionals – as well as all the basic functions that the other co-parenting apps offer.

Features include:

• Calendar
• Custody Schedule
• Expense Log
• Message Log
• Shared Contacts

Cost: Free trial. $9.99 per month or $99 per year (per parent).

http://coparently.com/

 Baby Connect

Baby Connect is for parents of babies. The app co-ordinates the baby’s day to day activities such as sleeping schedule, feeds, medications as well as doctors’ visits. It shares the baby’s routine which can be utilised by separated couples. It allows a parent to set reminders about when the next feed is due. It allows for several authorised users with entries immediately synchronised on each user account.

Cost: $4.99

https://www.babyconnect.com/

And remember, if you have a family law matter, you can always book a family law strategy session with Coastal Lawyers. 

Our Family Law Strategy Sessions are an hour-long session with a Family Lawyer to discuss all things parenting, property and divorce. 

We have you complete a detailed questionnaire prior to our meeting so that we can spend our hour together answering your questions. These sessions are great for those thinking about separating or who have recently separated and who want more information and clarification around the separation process.