The State of Florida has recognized that dissolution of marriage and paternity proceedings can detrimentally impact a child, both during and after the case. Also, co-parenting from separate households can be difficult for both parents and their child(ren). Therefore, the statutes now re-quires that both parties to any divorce or paternity case attend an approved co-parenting course if they have even one minor child to raise during or after the proceedings.
Barring exceptional circumstances supporting an excusal from the Court, the Petitioner must complete an approved course within 45 days of filing, whereas the Respondent is allowed 45 days from the date he/she was served with the Petition. Failure to comply with this statute can be punishable by contempt, delay the proceedings, and deny the offending party shared-parental responsibility of the minor child.
According to Florida Statute 61.21, the parenting course includes at least the following topics:
The course is required to be at least four hours long and approved by the Department of Children and Families. Courses are taught in English or Spanish and can be taken in person, by correspondence, or on-line, although the judges in Hillsborough County greatly favor (if ab-solutely not require) that parents attend in person. One saving grace for parents suffering dischord, sadness, and anger, which is all too common during the first few months after a case is filed, is that parents can attend separate classes; they need not attend the class at the same time.
Another positive point regarding the class is that, generally speaking, the parent-participants are immune from having what they say or do brought into evidence at any court proceeding. The statute specifically provides:
(8) Information obtained or statements made by the parties at any educational
session required under this statute shall not be considered in the adjudication of
a pending or subsequent action, nor shall any report resulting from such educational
session become part of the record of the case unless the parties have stipulated
in writing to the contrary.
Prices for the course range from $40 to $65. Click here to find the list of approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course Providers.
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