Apps That May be Useful in Divorce
Oct 12, 2018 | Written by: | Share
Technology may not only help in communicating with the parent of your children or former spouse, but it may also help to prevent a future legal dispute or strengthen your legal position if you have a dispute. There are a myriad of products available worth considering; this list is not intended to be exhaustive, but to provide insight into a few…
The website for Our Family Wizard (OFW) states, “The Our Family Wizard website offers divorced or separated parents an array of tools to easily schedule child custody and track parenting time, share important family information, manage expenses as well as create an accurate, clear log of divorce communication.”
OFW is intended to be used as a calendar, message board, expense log, journal, and information bank. There is a mobile app. Each parent/party pays for their respective subscription (typically, unless agreed or court ordered to be otherwise). Clients often report that OFW is helpful in creating a calendar (particularly if each week’s schedule and activities differ). Experts can also gain access to OFW, if approved, such as Parent Coordinators or custody evaluators (at their discretion) to review calendars, exchanges, and so on.
The costs vary and appear customizable, starting at $99 per parent, per year.
Soberlink’s website indicates, “Soberlink is the #1 alcohol monitoring system in Family Law. Each of the unique levels are designed to make parenting time safer with discreet and convenient alcohol testing. Level 1 requires testing only while parenting, and Level 2 requires daily testing.”
What do you do if a parent has recently been charged with or convicted of DUI/DWI? What do you do if you suspect a parent has a substance or alcohol abuse issue? How can you protect the safety of your child, if the Court does not suspend parenting time?
Soberlink is an application that can be used via cell phone to require testing. In some cases, there can be a requirement for testing before an exchange takes place. The app takes the picture of the parent utilizing the device/test, in real-time. Testing results can be texted/emailed to parents, attorneys, and experts, also in real-time or as designated.
The costs are varied by device and monthly subscription choices.
Do you need to organize your text messages, Facebook messages or other technology for your attorney or the Judge? Some Courts will NOT allow you to submit screenshots or use the actual phone. This is often most important in domestic violence court where phone records are important evidence. If you have an iPhone/iPad/iPod, Tansee allows you to backup your messages to a computer, where you can then print them.
There are free and paid versions available.
The 2houses website says “for separated parents or busy/modern families, our tools facilitate communication and organization, which is critical for our children’s happiness. We help you to: organize your schedule and keep track of all activities, manage your expenses, and easily exchange school, after-school, and medical information.”
This app offers a free trial and costs $9.99 per month.
Google Calendar is as simple as it gets, and is also free. You can share calendars with your co-parent to keep track of kids’ appointments and events, and to coordinate custody exchanges. Keep in mind that events on Google Calendar can be deleted or altered – if you’re looking for an app whose records can be used in court, you may want to consider a paid app such as Our Family Wizard instead.
BUYER BEWARE – the apps described herein are intended to be helpful but do not provide legal advice and cannot serve as a substitute for legal counsel or necessary professionals. These apps are intended to organize and assist with co-parenting, scheduling, and the exchange of information, but beware of other apps that require payment for services or promises of divorce, experts or mediation! Speak to your attorney to see whether these apps may be right for your case and how to implement their use.
Disclaimer: The above is intended to be informational only. Neither the writer nor the law firm endorses any product mentioned herein nor has any financial relationships with same.
Diana Fredericks, Esq., is a partner with Gebhardt & Kiefer, PC and devotes her practice solely to family law matters. She is a Certified Matrimonial Attorney and was named to the NJ Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in the practice of family law by Thomson Reuters in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, and to the New Leaders of the Bar list by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2015. Contact Ms. Fredericks for a consultation at 908-735-5161 or via email.
If you have a suggestion for a future blog topic, please feel free to submit it via the Contact Us form.