Co-Parenting Guide: Start Here
Separating households brings many decisions at once. This page points you to the PeacePath Compass guides and tools for each common task, so you can start with what matters to you today and come back for the rest. Everything here is general education for families in the United States. It is not legal advice, and rules vary by state and court, so check important decisions with a licensed attorney or your local court self-help center.
Parenting plans
A parenting plan sets out how you and your co-parent will share time, decisions and responsibilities. Start here to learn what a plan usually covers, the questions to settle before you write one, and how to keep it practical as your children grow.
Custody schedules
A schedule turns your plan into a calendar. Compare common patterns, such as alternating weeks or 2-2-3 rotations, and think about school, travel time and each child's age before you choose one.
Documenting for court
Clear, factual records help you and your attorney review what happened and when. Learn how to log events while details are fresh, keep notes neutral, and organize exports for sharing with your attorney. Courts decide what evidence they accept.
Communicating with your co-parent
Short, calm and specific messages are easier to answer and easier to read later. Practice rewriting a draft so it stays focused on the children and the next step, and review every suggestion before you send it.
Dependency court help
If child protective services or a dependency court is involved, the process and your rights are different from a custody case. COMPASS explains each stage in plain English and links to free legal aid, CASA and safety resources.
Custody laws by state
Custody terms, factors and filing steps change from state to state. Look up the general rules where your case is filed, then confirm the current details with the court or a local attorney.
Courses
Self-paced courses cover communication, high-conflict situations, schedules and helping children through change. Some courts require a parenting class, so check whether a specific course meets your court's requirements before you enroll.
Plans and pricing
You can start on the free plan and use Independent Mode even if your co-parent never joins. Paid plans add higher AI limits and more export options. Review what each plan includes before you upgrade.