Court Order Language Templates

Starting points for attorneys drafting custody orders, parenting plans, and stipulated agreements. Each section is self-contained and can be pasted into your filing; review and adapt for your jurisdiction and facts.

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1. Standard Communication Provision

Attorney note (not part of the order)

Use when the court is ordering exclusive use of Harbor for co-parenting communication. Review your jurisdiction’s requirements for court-ordered communication platforms; some states (for example, Arizona and Texas) have specific statutory provisions governing monitored communication tools. This provision works for both contested and consent orders.

Copies order text only (excludes attorney note above).
Definitions. For purposes of this provision, “Platform” means the Harbor co-parenting application, available at harborcoparent.com and through the iOS App Store, Google Play, and web browser applications.

1. Co-Parenting Communication. “Co-parenting communication” means all non-emergency communication between the parties concerning the minor child(ren)’s health, education, welfare, scheduling, activities, and expenses. Co-parenting communication does not include genuine emergencies requiring immediate contact, defined as: (a) imminent physical danger to a child or party; or (b) a medical emergency reasonably requiring emergency room treatment or comparable urgent care.

2. Account Setup. Within [14/NUMBER] days of the entry of this Order, each party shall create and activate an account on the Platform and shall provide the other party with written confirmation (which may be sent through the Platform) that the account is active.

3. Exclusive Channel. Except as expressly provided in paragraph 5 below, all co-parenting communication shall be conducted exclusively through the Platform’s messaging feature. Neither party shall use text message, electronic mail, social media direct messages, voicemail, or other channels for co-parenting communication.

4. Emergency Exception. In the event of a genuine emergency as defined in paragraph 1, a party may contact the other party by telephone or text message. The party initiating such out-of-Platform contact shall, within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter, post a summary of the emergency contact within the Platform’s messaging feature.

5. Active Accounts. Each party shall maintain an active, non-lapsed account on the Platform for the duration of this Order. Neither party shall deactivate or abandon the account for the purpose of avoiding this provision.

6. Message Preservation. Neither party shall delete, alter, or attempt to destroy any message sent or received through the Platform. The Platform does not permit users to edit or delete messages after sending.

7. Tone Analysis. The parties are encouraged to use the Platform’s tone analysis feature (TempCheck) before sending messages to promote constructive communication.

8. Exports. Either party may generate timestamped, unalterable PDF exports of Platform communications for use in legal proceedings, subject to applicable rules of evidence and procedure.

9. Enforcement. Failure to comply with this provision may be considered by the Court in any modification proceeding and may constitute contempt of this Order. If a party fails to create or maintain an account as required herein, the compliant party may seek enforcement, and the Court may award reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in connection with such motion to the compliant party.

2. Expense Tracking Provision

Attorney note (not part of the order)

Use when requiring documented tracking of shared child-related expenses. Adjust the receipt threshold and logging timeframe to match the parties’ circumstances. Cross-reference any existing parenting plan provisions on expense categories, reimbursement procedures, or split ratios.

Copies order text only (excludes attorney note above).
1. Logging Obligation. Each party shall log all shared child-related expenses in the Platform’s expense tracking feature within [7/NUMBER] calendar days of incurring the expense.

2. Required Information. Each logged expense shall include: (a) the date incurred; (b) the amount; (c) the expense category; (d) a brief description; and (e) identification of the child(ren) to whom the expense relates.

3. Receipts. For any expense exceeding [$50/AMOUNT], the party incurring the expense shall upload a receipt or other supporting documentation through the Platform within [7/NUMBER] calendar days of incurring the expense.

4. Split. Unless otherwise ordered, shared expenses shall be split [50/50 / PERCENTAGE] between the parties, as reflected in the Platform.

5. Disputes. If a party disputes an expense, the disputing party shall use the Platform’s built-in dispute feature to flag the disputed expense within [14/NUMBER] calendar days of the date the expense was logged. The disputing party shall state the basis for the dispute within the Platform. If the parties do not resolve the dispute through the Platform within [30/NUMBER] calendar days, either party may present the dispute to the Court, [the Parenting Coordinator / mediator], or as otherwise provided in this Order.

6. Reconciliation. The parties shall reconcile shared expense balances no less frequently than every [QUARTER / MONTH / 90 DAYS]. Either party may generate an accounting summary through the Platform. Any net balance owed by one party to the other shall be paid within [30/NUMBER] calendar days of reconciliation.

7. Non-Compliance. Failure to log an expense within the timeframes set forth herein may result in waiver of the right to seek reimbursement for that expense, subject to the Court’s equitable powers. Repeated non-compliance may be considered by the Court in modification or enforcement proceedings.

3. Custody Schedule and Exchange Provision

Attorney note (not part of the order)

Use when requiring the parenting schedule to be maintained digitally. This provision supplements the substantive custody schedule; it does not replace it. Electronic schedule modification procedures should be reviewed against local practice. GPS or location-based check-in requirements may implicate privacy considerations in some jurisdictions—consult local law before mandating location services.

Copies order text only (excludes attorney note above).
1. Calendar. The custody and parenting time schedule ordered herein shall be entered and maintained in the Platform’s custody calendar feature. Both parties shall cooperate to ensure the calendar accurately reflects the court-ordered schedule, including recurring patterns, exceptions, holidays, and vacations as ordered.

2. Schedule Change Requests. Any request to modify the parenting schedule (including swaps, make-up time, and temporary adjustments) shall be submitted through the Platform. The receiving party shall respond within [48/NUMBER] hours. Failure to respond within that period shall be deemed [acceptance / denial] of the request.

3. Holidays and Vacation. Holiday and vacation schedules ordered herein shall be reflected on the Platform’s calendar. Requests for vacation parenting time shall be submitted through the Platform no later than [30/NUMBER] days in advance and shall include destination, dates, and reasonable contact information for out-of-area travel when applicable.

4. Exchanges. Each party shall use the Platform’s check-in feature to log custody exchanges at the time of each exchange. Each check-in shall record the time, location, and any notes the party chooses to record regarding the exchange (including the child’s condition or items transferred). [Optional: Each party shall enable GPS location for check-ins to verify the exchange location.]

5. Compliance Records. The Platform maintains records relating to exchange compliance. Either party may export such records in PDF form for use in legal proceedings.

6. Non-Compliance. Failure to maintain the calendar or log exchanges as required may be considered by the Court in modification, enforcement, or contempt proceedings.

4. Professional Access Provision

Attorney note (not part of the order)

Use when authorizing or requiring read-only access for attorneys, a guardian ad litem, mediator, parenting coordinator, or similar professionals. Harbor professional accounts provide read-only dashboards with granular sharing controls; parents choose which sections each professional may view. Court-ordered access to journal entries may raise privilege or privacy issues—confirm that such disclosure is permissible under your jurisdiction and the facts of the case.

Copies order text only (excludes attorney note above).
1. Grant of Access. Within [14/NUMBER] days of the entry of this Order, each party shall grant read-only access through the Platform’s professional sharing feature to [their respective attorneys / the Guardian ad Litem, [NAME] / the Parenting Coordinator, [NAME] / the mediator, [NAME]].

2. Scope. The professional(s) designated herein shall have read-only access only to the following sections of the Platform: [Messages / Expenses / Calendar / Journal / Document Vault / Check-Ins — select applicable]. The scope of access may be modified by further order of the Court or by written stipulation of the parties filed with the Court.

3. Duration. Professional access shall remain in effect [for the duration of this Order / until [DATE] / until further order of the Court / until the professional’s engagement concludes].

4. Confidentiality. Information accessed through the professional sharing feature shall be treated as confidential and used solely for [the professional’s engagement / this litigation / the best interests of the child(ren)]. The professional(s) shall not disclose Platform information to third parties except as required by law, court order, or applicable ethical rules.

5. Revocation. Neither party shall revoke professional access granted pursuant to this Order without leave of Court or written agreement of both parties.

5. Document Sharing Provision

Attorney note (not part of the order)

Use when requiring parties to upload specified child-related records to the shared document vault (organized per child). Customize the document list to the case. Medical records may implicate HIPAA; school records may implicate FERPA and state pupil records laws—ensure compliance when ordering disclosure or upload.

Copies order text only (excludes attorney note above).
1. Initial Upload. Within [30/NUMBER] days of the entry of this Order, each party shall upload to the Platform’s document vault the following categories of documents, to the extent in that party’s possession or reasonable control: [medical records, immunization records, school report cards, IEP/504 plans, insurance cards, passports, birth certificates, extracurricular enrollment records — customize].

2. Ongoing Uploads. Each party shall upload newly obtained documents within the categories listed above within [14/NUMBER] calendar days of receipt.

3. Organization. Documents shall be uploaded to the vault associated with the applicable child and shall be titled in a manner that identifies the document type and date where practicable.

4. Access and Retention. Both parties shall have access to documents in the vault. Neither party shall delete or remove documents from the vault without the written consent of the other party or leave of Court.

5. Non-Compliance. Failure to upload documents as required may be raised in enforcement or modification proceedings.

6. Full Platform Adoption Provision (High-Conflict)

Attorney note (not part of the order)

Use in high-conflict matters where comprehensive, court-ordered use of Harbor is appropriate—such as documented communication breakdowns, financial disputes, or exchange-related conflicts. Tailor professional access and dispute escalation paths (e.g., parenting coordinator) to the case. This is a long provision; consider attaching it as an exhibit if local rules prefer shorter order text.

Copies order text only (excludes attorney note above).
Preamble. The Court finds that use of a structured co-parenting platform is in the best interests of the minor child(ren) and is necessary to facilitate orderly communication, financial transparency, schedule clarity, and compliance with the parenting plan. The Court hereby orders as follows:

Definitions.
(a) “Platform” means the Harbor co-parenting application, available at harborcoparent.com and through the iOS App Store, Google Play, and web browser applications.
(b) “Parties” means [PARENT A] and [PARENT B].
(c) “Child(ren)” means [CHILD NAME(S)].
(d) “Professionals” means [DESIGNATION OF GAL, PC, MEDIATOR, AND/OR ATTORNEYS AS ORDERED].

Section A — Account Setup. Within [14/NUMBER] days of the entry of this Order, each party shall create and activate an account on the Platform and shall provide the other party with written confirmation of activation. Each party shall maintain an active account for the duration of this Order.

Section B — Communication.
(1) “Co-parenting communication” means all non-emergency communication between the Parties concerning the Child(ren)’s health, education, welfare, scheduling, activities, and expenses, excluding genuine emergencies requiring immediate contact (imminent physical danger or medical emergency reasonably requiring emergency room or urgent care).
(2) Except as provided in subsection (4), all co-parenting communication shall occur exclusively through the Platform’s messaging feature. Neither party shall use text message, electronic mail, social media direct messages, voicemail, or other channels for co-parenting communication.
(3) In a genuine emergency as defined above, a party may contact the other by telephone or text message and shall post a summary of such contact in the Platform within twenty-four (24) hours.
(4) Neither party shall delete, alter, or attempt to destroy Platform messages. The Platform does not permit users to edit or delete messages after sending.
(5) The parties are encouraged to use the Platform’s tone analysis feature (TempCheck) before sending messages.
(6) Either party may generate timestamped PDF exports of communications for use in legal proceedings.

Section C — Expense Tracking.
(1) Each party shall log shared child-related expenses in the Platform within [7/NUMBER] calendar days of incurring the expense, including date, amount, category, description, and affected child(ren).
(2) For expenses exceeding [$50/AMOUNT], the incurring party shall upload a receipt or supporting documentation within [7/NUMBER] calendar days.
(3) Shared expenses shall be split [50/50 / PERCENTAGE] unless otherwise ordered, as recorded in the Platform.
(4) Disputes shall be raised through the Platform’s dispute feature within [14/NUMBER] calendar days of logging. If not resolved within [30/NUMBER] calendar days, either party may seek relief from the Court or [Parenting Coordinator / mediator] as provided herein.
(5) The parties shall reconcile balances at least every [QUARTER / MONTH / 90 DAYS] and shall pay any net amount due within [30/NUMBER] calendar days of reconciliation.

Section D — Custody Calendar and Exchanges.
(1) The ordered custody and parenting schedule shall be maintained in the Platform’s calendar, including exceptions, holidays, and vacations.
(2) Requests for schedule changes shall be submitted through the Platform; the receiving party shall respond within [48/NUMBER] hours, or the request shall be deemed [acceptance / denial].
(3) Vacation requests shall be submitted at least [30/NUMBER] days in advance with destination, dates, and contact information as ordered.
(4) Each party shall log custody exchanges using the Platform’s check-in feature at the time of exchange. [Optional: Each party shall enable GPS location for check-ins to verify exchange location.]
(5) Either party may export exchange compliance records for use in legal proceedings.

Section E — Professional Access. Each party shall grant read-only access through the Platform’s professional sharing feature to the Professionals, limited to [Messages / Expenses / Calendar / Journal / Document Vault / Check-Ins — select applicable], for [for the duration of this Order / until [DATE] / until further order of the Court / until the professional’s engagement concludes]. Access shall not be revoked without leave of Court or written agreement of the parties. Information accessed by Professionals shall be treated as confidential and used solely for [the professional’s engagement / this litigation / the best interests of the child(ren)]. Professionals shall not disclose Platform information to third parties except as required by law, court order, or applicable ethical rules.

Section F — Document Vault. Each party shall upload [list document categories] within [30/NUMBER] days and shall upload new documents within [14/NUMBER] days of receipt. Neither party shall delete vault documents without consent or Court order.

Section G — General Enforcement. Failure to comply with any provision of this Order regarding the Platform may constitute contempt and may be considered in modification proceedings. The Court may impose sanctions including, without limitation, contempt findings, reasonable attorney’s fees, and modification of custody or parenting time.

Section H — Costs. Each party shall be responsible for that party’s own subscription costs for the Platform.

Disclaimer. These templates are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Attorneys should review and adapt all language to comply with applicable state law, local court rules, and the specific facts of each case.