Co-Parenting Guide exists for one reason: parents going through separation, custody, and the years after it deserve plain, accurate answers without a sales pitch attached. This page explains who writes the site, where the information comes from, and how we check it.
Quick answer: Co-Parenting Guide is written and edited by an editorial team led by managing editor Nora Whitman. We work from primary sources — state statutes, court self-help portals, and peer-reviewed research — and translate them into plain English. We are not lawyers or therapists, and nothing here is legal or mental-health advice. Every factual claim points to the source behind it.
Who writes Co-Parenting Guide
Articles are produced by our editorial team and published under the byline of Nora Whitman, Managing Editor. The team is made up of experienced family-systems writers and researchers who read custody law, family-court procedure, and child-development studies directly, then rewrite what they find for parents who are not lawyers.
We are deliberate about what we are not. No one on the team presents as your attorney or your therapist. The value we add is careful synthesis: reading the primary material, noting where it differs by state, and pointing you to the original so you can verify it yourself or take it to a professional.
Where our information comes from
We work from a clear source hierarchy, strongest first:
| Source type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Statutes and regulations | State family codes, rules of civil procedure |
| Courts | State court self-help centers, published opinions, official forms |
| Peer-reviewed research | Studies in journals such as Family Court Review; statements from the APA and AAP |
| Government and public health | NIH, CDC, state family-services agencies |
| Established journalism | Reporting from outlets with editorial standards and corrections policies |
We do not cite other blogs or commercial competitors as authorities. When we reference data, we name the source and link it, so you are never asked to take a number on faith.
How we handle laws that vary by state
Custody, visitation, and family law differ from one state to the next, and sometimes from one county to the next. We say so plainly in every legal article rather than implying one rule fits everyone. Where a figure or process is state-specific, we name the jurisdiction or point you to your state’s court resources.
How we review and update
Every article carries a published date and an “Updated” date. When statutes change, when a court revises its forms, or when a reader flags something that no longer holds, we revise the piece and move the date forward. We would rather update an existing article than let it drift out of accuracy.
What this site is not
Co-Parenting Guide is general information. It is not legal advice, therapeutic advice, or a substitute for a professional who knows the details of your case. We never promise outcomes — only what research and practice suggest.
Corrections
If you spot an error, tell us. We correct factual mistakes promptly and update the article’s date when we do. Accuracy matters more to us than being right the first time.
Note: This article is general information, not legal or therapeutic advice. Laws vary by state and country, and situations vary widely. For decisions about your specific case, consult a family law attorney or licensed mental health professional in your jurisdiction.
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233.
