OurFamilyWizard vs Untangle: Which Co-Parenting Tool Is Best for Your Connecticut Custody Situation?

Untangle and OurFamilyWizard serve fundamentally different purposes for divorcing parents in Connecticut. OurFamilyWizard is a dedicated co-parenting communication platform designed for ongoing use after divorce to manage schedules, expenses, and messaging between separated parents. Untangle, by contrast, is a comprehensive divorce navigation tool that helps you through the entire divorce process—including understanding custody laws, preparing parenting plans, organizing financial documents, and making informed decisions that protect your children's interests from day one. If you're still going through divorce, Untangle is the tool you need now; OurFamilyWizard may be valuable later for ongoing co-parenting communication.

Understanding Your Options as a Protective Parent

When your primary concern is your children's wellbeing during divorce, choosing the right tools matters enormously. Connecticut courts make custody decisions based on the "best interests of the child" standard under C.G.S. § 46b-56, which considers factors including each parent's willingness to encourage a relationship with the other parent, the child's developmental needs, and the stability of each home environment. The tools you use during and after divorce can directly impact how well you meet these standards.

Many protective parents initially search for co-parenting apps thinking they need to document communication right away. While documentation is important, jumping straight to a post-divorce communication tool before you've navigated the divorce process itself is like buying furniture before you've secured your house. You need to understand Connecticut's custody framework, develop a solid parenting plan, and organize your case before focusing on ongoing co-parenting logistics.

The distinction becomes clearer when you consider timing: Untangle helps you make the decisions that will shape your children's lives for years to come, while OurFamilyWizard helps you execute those decisions day-to-day after your divorce is finalized. Both have value, but understanding which you need—and when—is critical for protecting your children's interests.

What OurFamilyWizard Offers

OurFamilyWizard is a well-established co-parenting communication platform that many family courts across the country, including some Connecticut courts, recommend or order parents to use. Its core features focus on managing the ongoing logistics of shared parenting after divorce.

The platform includes a shared calendar for tracking custody schedules, a secure messaging system that creates documentation of all communications, an expense log for tracking and requesting reimbursement for child-related costs, and an information bank for storing important child information like medical records and school contacts. Many parents appreciate that all communications are time-stamped and cannot be edited or deleted, creating a clear record if disputes arise.

However, OurFamilyWizard has limitations that protective parents should understand. It costs approximately $150-200 per year per parent (with both parents needing accounts for full functionality), and it assumes you already have a custody arrangement in place. The platform doesn't help you understand Connecticut custody law, doesn't assist with creating parenting plans, and doesn't guide you through the complex decisions you'll face during the divorce process itself. For a parent still navigating divorce, it's putting the cart before the horse.

What Untangle Provides for Connecticut Parents

Untangle was built specifically to help parents navigate divorce with their children's interests at the center. Rather than assuming you already have everything figured out, Untangle guides you through understanding Connecticut's custody framework, developing a comprehensive parenting plan, and making informed decisions that will serve your children well for years to come.

For protective parents in Connecticut, understanding how courts evaluate custody matters is essential. Under C.G.S. § 46b-56a, Connecticut has a presumption favoring joint custody when both parents agree, but the court retains authority to determine arrangements based on children's best interests. Tools like Untangle's AI legal guidance can help you understand how these laws apply to your specific situation, what factors courts consider, and how to present your case effectively.

Connecticut requires parents in divorce actions to complete a parenting education program under C.G.S. § 46b-69b, designed to help parents understand the impact of family restructuring on children. Untangle complements this requirement by providing ongoing guidance as you navigate the practical decisions—like crafting holiday schedules, determining decision-making authority, and planning for your children's changing needs as they grow. The platform helps you think through scenarios you might not have considered, ensuring your parenting plan is comprehensive enough to minimize future conflicts.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	OurFamilyWizard	Untangle
Primary Purpose	Post-divorce co-parenting communication	Divorce navigation and planning
Best Timing	After divorce is finalized	During divorce process
Custody Law Guidance	None	Connecticut-specific guidance
Parenting Plan Help	None	Comprehensive planning tools
Financial Organization	Expense tracking only	Full financial statement preparation
Communication Documentation	Yes, primary feature	Yes, within context of divorce
Court Form Assistance	None	Guided preparation
Cost	~$150-200/year per parent	Varies by plan
Requires Both Parents	Yes, for full functionality	No

Why Timing Matters for Protective Parents

The decisions you make during divorce will shape your children's lives for years—sometimes decades—to come. Connecticut's Practice Book Rule § 25-5 establishes automatic orders that take effect immediately when divorce papers are served, including critical provisions about children: neither parent may permanently remove children from Connecticut without written consent or court order, and both parents must facilitate the children's relationship with the other parent.

These automatic orders underscore why having proper guidance during divorce is so important. Tools like Untangle's automatic document generation can help you track everything from the Notice of Automatic Court Orders (Form JD-FM-158) to the Affidavit Concerning Children (Form JD-FM-164) that you'll need to file. Understanding these requirements and having your documentation in order protects both you and your children.

Connecticut's Pathways case management system, outlined in Practice Book Rule § 25-50A, assigns divorce cases to tracks based on complexity. Cases involving contested custody issues typically receive more court attention and resources. Coming into this process prepared—with a clear understanding of what you want for your children and documentation supporting your position—can make a significant difference in outcomes. Untangle helps you achieve this preparation; OurFamilyWizard doesn't address pre-divorce planning at all.

Creating a Parenting Plan That Protects Your Children

Under C.G.S. § 46b-56a, parents seeking joint custody must submit a parenting responsibility plan to the court. This plan must address how parents will share or divide decision-making authority for education, healthcare, and religious upbringing, as well as how physical custody time will be allocated. The quality and thoroughness of this plan directly impacts your children's stability.

Tools like Untangle's parenting plan builder help you think through every aspect of a comprehensive parenting plan. This includes not just the obvious considerations like regular custody schedules, but also provisions for holidays, school breaks, birthdays, travel, communication between the child and non-custodial parent, handling schedule changes, and procedures for resolving disputes. A well-crafted plan anticipates conflicts before they happen, protecting your children from being caught in the middle of parental disagreements.

Connecticut courts review parenting plans to ensure they serve children's best interests, as required by C.G.S. § 46b-66. If the court finds a proposed arrangement doesn't adequately protect a child, it may appoint a guardian ad litem under C.G.S. § 46b-54 to investigate and make recommendations. By using Untangle to develop a thoughtful, child-centered plan from the beginning, you demonstrate to the court that you're prioritizing your children's needs—which is exactly what protective parents want to convey.

When You Might Need Both Tools

For many Connecticut families, the answer isn't OurFamilyWizard versus Untangle—it's Untangle now, and potentially OurFamilyWizard later. Here's how the timeline typically works:

During Divorce (Use Untangle):

1. Understanding Connecticut custody laws and your rights
2. Organizing financial documents for required court filings
3. Developing a comprehensive parenting plan
4. Preparing for negotiations or court proceedings
5. Making informed decisions about your children's future

After Divorce (Consider OurFamilyWizard):

1. Managing ongoing schedule coordination
2. Documenting day-to-day communications
3. Tracking shared expenses
4. Maintaining records in case of future modifications

Practice Book Rule § 25-26 governs modification of custody orders, allowing either parent to seek changes when circumstances warrant. If you find yourself in a high-conflict co-parenting situation after divorce, tools like OurFamilyWizard can provide valuable documentation should you need to return to court. But this consideration is secondary to getting through your divorce with the best possible custody arrangement in the first place.

When to Get Professional Help

While tools like Untangle provide valuable guidance and organization, some situations require professional intervention. If your co-parent has a history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental health issues that affect parenting, consulting with a Connecticut family law attorney is essential. Similarly, if you're facing a contested custody battle where the other parent is seeking primary custody, professional legal representation can protect your children's interests in ways no software tool can.

Connecticut courts take children's safety seriously. Under C.G.S. § 46b-56, courts can order drug or alcohol screening and therapy when concerns exist. If you have documented concerns about your children's safety with the other parent, tools like Untangle's case details management can help you organize your documentation and understand your options, but an attorney can advocate for appropriate protective orders and custody arrangements.

For most protective parents going through Connecticut divorce, the path forward involves using Untangle to navigate the divorce process effectively, securing a custody arrangement that serves your children's best interests, and then evaluating whether ongoing co-parenting communication tools like OurFamilyWizard would be beneficial for your specific family situation. Your children's wellbeing depends not just on the tools you use, but on making informed decisions at every step of this challenging journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both OurFamilyWizard and Untangle during my Connecticut divorce?

Yes, Untangle is designed for navigating the divorce process itself while OurFamilyWizard is best used after divorce is finalized for ongoing co-parenting communication and custody scheduling.

How much does OurFamilyWizard cost compared to Untangle?

OurFamilyWizard charges a recurring subscription fee for ongoing co-parenting communication tools, while Untangle offers divorce navigation support during the process—each serves different phases of your custody journey.

What is the best co-parenting app for documenting custody exchanges in CT?

OurFamilyWizard is widely recognized for documenting post-divorce custody exchanges and communication, and Connecticut courts are familiar with its documentation features for custody disputes.

Are there free alternatives to OurFamilyWizard for Connecticut parents?

Free options like Google Calendar or basic messaging apps exist, but they lack the court-admissible documentation and expense-tracking features that dedicated co-parenting platforms provide.

When should I start using a co-parenting app during my Connecticut divorce?

Focus first on divorce navigation tools like Untangle to develop your parenting plan and understand CT custody laws, then transition to co-parenting apps like OurFamilyWizard once your divorce is finalized.