Court Expectations & Co-Parent Responsibilities

Communication & Cooperation

Courts expect parents to communicate in a way that is respectful, child-focused, and practical. Parents do not have to be friends, but they must be able to share essential information about the child's education, health, routines, and needs.

Judges often evaluate:

How promptly parents respond to messages
Whether communication is calm and focused on the child
Whether parents share important information in a timely way
Whether they can collaborate without constant conflict

Courts are less concerned with “perfect harmony” and more focused on whether parents can communicate reliably in ways that support the child.

Supporting the Child's Relationship With Both Parents

One of the clearest expectations in most states is that each parent supports the child's healthy, safe relationship with the other parent.

Judges look closely at a parent's willingness to:

Encourage positive interactions
Share information about the child
Facilitate visits and transitions
Avoid criticism conflict in front of the child
Refrain from interfering with the other parent's time

Parents who consistently create unnecessary obstacles - or who speak negatively about the other parent in front of the child - may be viewed as acting against the child's best interests.

Stability, Predictability & Meeting the Child's Needs

Courts expect parents to provide a stable environment and meet the child's daily needs.

This includes:

Predictable routines for school, meals, and sleep
Attending medical and therapy appointments
Supporting plans for education, activities, and development
Keeping the child safe from conflict, violence, or instability

A parent doesn't need to be perfect - they just need to provide steady routines, a safe home, and support for the child’s wellbeing.

What This Means for You

In practice, family courts commonly consider whether communication is respectful, child-focused, and practical, particularly during the early stages of a case before a formal parenting plan is established. To see examples of court-appropriate communication standards, visit our Communication Tools & Best Practices section.