Florida Court Requirements

Florida Statute 61.21 requires that both parents involved in a divorce must take a four hour parent course if they have children under 18 years old. This course is designed to educate, train and assist parents with minimizing the emotional impact on you and your children. Each parent must independently take and complete the course before the court will grant the dissolution of marriage. Parents may also take this course to learn about the impacts divorce can have on their family, as well as the best way to handle the difficult transition. Additionally, make sure you understand the process of filing for a divorce.

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This course can be completed at your own pace from the comfort of your own home. The 4-HOUR Parenting Class meets the requirements for Florida’s Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. Florida family courts require that parents with minor children who are divorcing or separating take a parenting class, just like this one, before a judge can finalize visitation, custody or child support orders.

Per Florida Statutes 61.21 – Parenting course authorized; fees; required attendance authorized; contempt. The petitioner must complete the course within 45 days after the filing of the petition, and all other parties must complete the course within 45 days after service of the petition. For paternity actions, unless excused by the court pursuant to subsection (4), the petitioner must complete the course within 45 days after filing the petition, and any other party must complete the course within 45 days after an acknowledgment of paternity by that party, an adjudication of paternity of that party, or an order granting time-sharing to or support from that party.