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How To Improve Communication For Divorced Parents

Following a difficult divorce involving child custody, often with bitter recriminations,  communicating with your former spouse can be very difficult if not impossible. This may be true even after a negotiated settlement. However, Florida law requires both parents to share parental responsibility in the vast majority of the cases, as opposed to awarding custody to a parent. Therefore, communication between the spouses is critical. The courts have struggled with this problem for decades and have made some progress encouraging positive communication between spouses for the best interest of the child. Parenting classes are required to try to encourage and educate parents to communicate positively for the sake of the children, for example. Here we will examine some apps the courts now use throughout the nation to accomplish this exemplary goal.

The Problem

The challenge for the court is to enact an order so that the parties will not need any further court intervention to raise their children absent a material change in circumstances. The court does not want to become a referee. However, what if your former spouse is harassing or threatening you? What if your spouse abuses you during telephone calls, displays anger, or simply refuses to communicate at all? Does your former spouse use required communication to berate you regarding unrelated matters? Is your former spouse sending you endless text or email messages, etc?

General Tips

1. Communications should be short to the point, businesslike, and above all cordial.
2. In some cases, you may want to establish a reasonable deadline for a response.
3. Negotiate for provisions in your agreement or plan which include specific provisions related to communication between parents which includes:

A) Agreement to communicate about issues related to school, health, and well-being.

B) Agreement to use one or more communication methods such as email, mobile texting, or telephone.

C) Agreement to utilize co-parenting communication apps.

D) Agreement to communicate directly with each other concerning the children. (Do not use the children to relay a message to the other co-parent).

4. Keep a record of your communication and document inappropriate communication.

5. Don’t provide ammunition or fuel to the fire. Follow the agreement no matter what.

6. Consult an attorney if things are simply too difficult.

While you can try to establish boundaries, how do you enforce them?

The Solution

The court may order, or you may want to make an agreement to use one of several apps that solve many of the aforementioned problems.

Talking Parents App

The Talking Parents App keeps a record of every communication and is admissible in the Florida courts. If used exclusively it will greatly simplify documentary proof in litigation.  Both parties must separately and individually create user accounts and must be approved in order to engage with one another, providing additional protection from an abusive former spouse. The Talking Parents App provides an Information Library, Vault File Storage, Unalterable Records, and a Personal Journal. Talking Parent App provides a Professional version for court judges and court staff.

Since conversations occur through Taking Parents, private contact information is not revealed unless you personally reveal that information to the other party.

Any agreements reached outside of TalkingParents are void unless immediate verification is made through TalkingParents.

Our Family Wizard App

Our Family Wizard is a widely used app throughout the United States. If offers a Calendar, Message Board, Journal, and Expense Log. It serves parents, children, practitioners, and the courts.

Like the Talking Parents App, Our Family Wizard is admissible in the Florida Courts.

Peaceful Parent App

The Peaceful Parent App is another valuable app that provides much the same advantages as the previous two. Their website states that its app allows you to:

1. Limit the length of text messages so they’re concise and to the point.
2. Set the number of messages you’d like to receive each day.
3. Determine the time of day you want to receive messages.
4. Choose pre-written messages that help co-parents keep the peace.
5. Flag important or abusive messages.
6. Enjoy knowing the date and time messages are sent and seen​​.
7. Export those messages marked harassing or threatening to share with others or print for court-admissible use.

The Peaceful Parent App. is tamper-proof and unalterable documentation of communication to use in legal situations and is admissible in Florida.

Agreements between parents to use these apps may be filed separately as a Joint Stipulation or incorporated into any other agreement between the parties, such as a marital settlement or paternity agreement. Agreements may then be ratified or incorporated by an order of the court.

If you are considering a divorce, you will need an experienced legal team. Brodie Friedman is the top-rated family law firm in Florida. Any family and any situation, our experience and expertise will get you through these trying times. We’re here for you.

With over 30 years of combined experience, Jason Brodie Esq. and Joshua Friedman Esq. will guide you toward realistic goals and provide committed advocacy toward achieving them. They are known throughout South Florida for dedicated client service, tenacity, and success in complex divorce litigation involving property division, child custody, and spousal support. 

To get a better understanding of the qualities our reputation is built on, contact our office in Boca Raton to schedule your initial phone consultation (561) 392-5100.

reputation is built on, contact our office in Boca Raton to schedule your initial phone consultation (561) 392-5100.

With over 30 years of combined experience, Jason Brodie Esq. and Joshua Friedman Esq. will guide you toward realistic goals and provide committed advocacy toward achieving them. They are known throughout South Florida for dedicated client service, tenacity, and success in complex divorce litigation involving property division, child custody, and spousal support. 

To get a better understanding of the qualities our reputation is built on, contact our office in Boca Raton to schedule your initial phone consultation (561) 392-5100