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Co-parenting can be a serious headache, even if you enjoy an amicable relationship with your ex. Coordinating school papers, medical appointments, and kid-related obligations—on top of your own career and logistical needs—requires ace organizational skills. But what if you struggle on this front? Thankfully, technology can save the day. Ease your burden with one or more of these household apps:

Our Family Wizard

Deservedly one of the most popular co-parenting apps, Our Family Wizard won the 2012 Reader’s Choice Award in an About.com contest highlighting the Best Online Communication Tools for Co-Parents. Features include:

  • A shared calendar for parents, children and extended family members
  • An info bank for contact details and medical information
  • A tracking system for child support and other expenses
  • A journal for logging ideas and important moments

2houses

Similar in many respects to Our Family Wizard, 2houses earns bonus points for its user-friendliness and affordable price. 2houses includes a shared calendar, financial tracking tools, a multi-user journal and even to-do lists. The app also offers photo albums, which bring a lighthearted element to app-based co-parenting.

AppClose

With so many conversations occurring over email, text and social networks, it can be tough to keep everything straight. AppClose can help. The app’s intuitive messaging system allows you to interact with a variety of contacts. Submit reimbursement requests and make payments via a secure third party provider.

Cozi

Although not explicitly designed for co-parenting, Cozi enhances management for divided households. The easy-to-use app keeps complicated schedules and to-do lists all in one place. Best of all, it’s free. An ad-free version with premium features is also available.

No one system will work perfectly for every family. The key is to find an app that meets your unique needs—and to commit to using it regularly and cooperatively.

The law firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.can help you make the most of co-parenting, whether you use one of the above apps or not. Get in touch today to learn more.