Mobile Applications (or ‘Apps’) are in every part of our daily lives. We have Apps that tell us when to get up, when to drink water and when and how to exercise. So, it is only logical that there are now Apps that assist parents in co-parenting arrangements.
Apps for use between parents such as ‘Our Family Wizard’, ‘Fayer’ (Pronounced ‘Fair’), ‘2Houses’, and ‘Divitto’ are becoming more prevalent in parenting orders, and in some instances, an App is preferred over the traditional communication book.
What are the benefits of using an App instead of the traditional communication book?
Information Available at all Times
An App is easily installed on each parent’s phone and enables both parents to have access to information about the child or children regardless of whether the child or children are with that parent. For example, the application called ‘2Houses’ has a section where the height, shoe size and clothing size of each child is recorded and is accessible to both parents. Therefore, a parent can buy an outfit, school uniform or shoes without the child physically being there. The advantage here is that one parent is not holding the other parent to ransom with information; the information is available to both parents at their discretion.
Verification of Circumstances
In high conflict co-parenting arrangements, mistakes about times and dates can be made. Apps such as ‘Fayer’ (pronounced ‘Fair’) enable each parent to record their geographical location at a specified time and record that information in PDF format. This information can then be useful when disputes arise about one parent arriving late for collection or the delivery of children to or from the other parent’s home.
Assists in Reducing Conflict
In high-conflict co-parenting situations, written communication between the parents is often difficult. What one parent sees as inflammatory, the other party does not. Apps such as ‘Divitto’ assist parents by allowing them to write a text, and if the content of the text alerts the application to language that needs to be rephrased to avoid potential conflict, the App will suggest alternate phrasing.
The fact that parents can contribute to the App at any time allows a parent to enjoy their time with their child rather than being distracted and having to fill in a communication book hurriedly.
The benefits of using co-parenting Apps are making this mode increasingly popular with Judges, lawyers and parents alike. Using an application to communicate with the other parent is worth considering when dealing with parenting matters.
For further information on the use of Apps or to discuss a family law matter, please contact us on 5303 0281 or at reception@ballaratlawyers.net.au.
The information on this website is of a general nature only. It is not, nor is it intended to be legal advice. You should consult a lawyer for individual advice about your particular circumstances.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Click here to go back to Publications.
