No more “he said/she said”: the benefits of a co-parenting app
One of the biggest challenges of co-parenting after separation or divorce is clear communication. With so many options available - email, phone, text, Whatsapp, social media - it’s all too easy for important message to get lost or not seen in time. Equally, the emotional upheaval and stress of co-parenting after an acrimonious split can make even basic communication difficult.
Navigating the challenges of co-parent communication
Co-parenting can seem like a logistical juggling act, with the added complications of pent-up emotions and potential misinterpretations muddling messages. At LGFL, we have always suggested that our clients step away from social media and think twice, before sending messages emails both during and after their divorce or separation.
As Director Rita Gupta said in an article on the emotional rollercoaster of divorce:
“Keeping communications open is crucial. It’s all too easy to shut down and put up barriers. Instead, all communications with your spouse and your legal team should be transparent and honest. You can include boundaries such as no late-night emails after a glass or six, and not venting emotions or mudslinging in social media posts.”
There is a very practical reason for being careful with communication. Ill-advised messages and emails could fuel further conflict and disputes, and can end up as evidence in court. An angry late-night message could potentially impact on a court’s decisions on financial settlements and child arrangement orders, or be used as a negotiation lever in mediation.
Co-parenting comms - there’s an app for that
LGFL was an early adopter and champion of the co‑parenting app OurFamilyWizard. The self-styled app “for more peaceful co‑parenting” has evolved into a one-stop-shop for communication with features specifically aimed at co-parents.
At its core the app offers:
- A secure, safe and straightforward messaging centre
- An online calendar to schedule and organise family life and events
- Shared expenses tracking with options to attach receipts
- An Info Bank for important family info such as medical notes, school timetables, emergency contact info and more
- A journal to record observations, document changes, upload videos and photos, and GPS check-ins to verify that a parent was present at a given location and time.
- Pro Access option to allow legal and other professional to access records online
The app in action
At LGFL, we have seen for ourselves how this co-parenting app can make things simpler, faster and less contentious for separating parents. It is much less stressful when they know everything is in one place, taking away many of their tech concerns too, such as security and accessibility.
The security levels of the app ensure information is both transmitted and stored with encryption, ensuring:
- An ‘audit trail’ for documented agreements and compliance
- Messages cannot be manipulated, altered or deleted once sent
- Unalterable documentation can record co-parents' compliance with contact agreements
- No personal information such as telephone numbers or email addresses shown
How the app aids communications
OurFamilyWizard acts like an impartial third party. When both co-parents exclusively communicate through the app, all messaging remain logged in one place, including audio and video calls. Printable records of conversations can be downloaded and used if required during mediation or legal team meetings. Documents and agreements can also be recorded, and ‘sealed’ such that they cannot be subsequently changed or altered.
Turning the heat down
By “nailing down” the nature and timings of interactions and communications, OurFamilyWizard can take the emotional heat and conflict potential out of all co-parent exchanges. Even the knowledge that anything done through the app will be recorded can remind combative co-parents to think before they type.
In addition to options for a simple, non-emotive yes/no answers to any message, the app offers ToneMeter for written messages. This feature uses AI to detect “emotionally charged phrases” so parents have the opportunity to tone down their responses before hitting the send button.
The leading court-accepted co-parenting app
The UK courts have the powers to make orders (either by agreement or of its own accord) for the use of OurFamilyWizard to help make co-parenting communication easier, more organised and transparent. Key to this is the audit trail of secure documents and messages that the legal teams themselves can access if required. This eliminates concerns over accuracy over precisely who said what, when, and how.
As the app’s website says, OurFamilyWizard then becomes:
“A reliable source of truth to keep both parents accountable for their communication.”
Co-parenting for blended families
Managing co-parenting can be made even more complex, with children needing to be co-parented with a previous partner, alongside a current partner. The app allows for a family account, such that parents, stepparents, grandparents and co-parents all kept in the loop about important events and changes to the schedule.
Better communication with LGFL
As family lawyers, we ensure that all lines of communication are open to help couples resolve their differences and prepare for co-parenting in the future.
For more information on our personal, empathetic and holistic approach and how we can help you in your particular circumstances:
- Call us
- Email us
- Book your initial appointment
Disclaimer:
LGFL are in no way affiliated with, nor have a commercial interest in, the OurFamily Wizard app, or its creators Avirat Ltd. The views expressed in the article above are based on our clients’ experience of using the app as an aid to improving communication and accountability.