Court-required classes
Divorce Education Classes by State: Hours, Cost & Online
A divorce education class usually takes about 2 to 4 hours and costs from $25 to about $65 in the states we’ve verified, and many family courts require divorcing parents with minor children to finish one before the judge signs the final decree. It is a short, child-focused course, also called a divorce class, divorce course or parent-education class. Below: whether your state requires one, how long it takes, what it costs, whether an online class counts, and a state-by-state table with the official source for each.
Divorce classes: the quick answer
- What it is: a short course about helping your children through the divorce — not marriage counseling, and not a test you can fail.
- Is it required? Often, if you have minor children. Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Utah require one statewide; in Georgia and Ohio each county or circuit decides.
- How long: usually about 2–4 hours, often in one sitting.
- Cost: from a flat $25 (New Jersey) to about $65 (Utah’s two courses) in the states we’ve verified; fee waivers are common.
- Online or near me? Many states accept an approved online class. Where sessions are in person — like New Jersey’s court-run program — your county family court schedules or lists them.
Is a divorce class required before a divorce is final?
In many states, yes — when minor children are involved, parents must complete an approved parent-education class before the court will finalize the divorce. But this is not a single national rule. Whether it applies, who has to attend, and when it is due all vary by state and often by county. Some courts order it in every case with children; others only require it in contested or high-conflict matters. The fastest way to know is to check your state's court self-help portal or call the clerk handling your case. You can find your state court system through USA.gov's state courts directory.
These requirements are not always limited to married parents. In several states the same parent-education program also applies to never-married parents — Florida's course covers paternity cases, Georgia's seminar reaches legitimation and paternity cases, and Massachusetts' course applies to paternity and custody complaints as well as divorces.
Divorce classes by state
Each row below links to a detailed, source-cited page for that state — the official course name, the statute or court rule, deadlines, hours, cost, the online option, and the official court list to confirm with. Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Utah require a class statewide; in Georgia and Ohio it is set county by county.
| State | Required for divorcing parents? | Typical length | Typical cost | Online accepted? | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida divorce classes | Yes — statewide | 4 hours minimum | About $25–$60 | Yes — DCF-approved online courses | myflfamilies.com |
| Georgia divorce classes | Usually — set by county or circuit | Up to 4 hours | About $30–$55; fee waivers available | Varies by circuit | georgiacourts.gov |
| Iowa divorce classes | Yes — statewide | Set by each approved provider | Set by each provider | Varies by judicial district | iowacourts.gov |
| Massachusetts divorce classes | Yes — statewide | 4 hours (online, self-paced) | $49; indigency waiver available | Yes — the one approved course is online | mass.gov |
| New Jersey divorce classes | Yes — statewide | One court-run session | $25 court fee | No — court-scheduled sessions | njcourts.gov |
| Ohio divorce classes | Usually — set by county or circuit | Varies by county (often 2–4 hours) | Set by county; often low-cost or free | Widely accepted (each county decides) | supremecourt.ohio.gov |
| Utah divorce classes | Yes — statewide | About 3 hours (two courses) | $65 total; fee waivers available | Yes — USU Extension is the only approved online provider | utcourts.gov |
Summarized from each state's official court or agency source (linked). Rules change and can vary by county and case — confirm the course, format, and deadline with your court before you enroll or pay. Divorce education and a court-ordered parenting class often overlap (in Florida, Georgia and Ohio they are the same course); more states are listed below.
What do these courses cover?
Court-accepted curricula concentrate on protecting children through the transition. Common topics include:
- How divorce affects children by age — what toddlers, school-age kids, and teens each need.
- Reducing conflict — keeping disputes away from the children and out of the middle.
- Co-parenting communication — practical, lower-stress ways to coordinate with the other parent.
- Building a parenting schedule — workable plans for time-sharing, holidays, and handoffs.
This child-focused design reflects the same research-based approach used in many court parent-education programs — the kind of curriculum described in materials from the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) — which courts rely on to support children during a family change.
How long is a divorce class and when is it due?
Most accepted classes are short — usually about two to four hours. Florida and Massachusetts set four hours, and Utah's two required courses total about three. Many can be completed online at your own pace or in a single sitting. The deadline is tied to your case rather than a fixed calendar date: you typically must finish before a specific hearing or before the judge will sign the final decree. Your order, or the court clerk, will tell you the exact cutoff, so start early enough to file your certificate on time.
Does one class satisfy both divorce-education and co-parenting requirements?
Sometimes a single approved course covers both the divorce-education and co-parenting requirements, and sometimes the court orders two separate classes. It depends entirely on how your order is written and what your county accepts. Read your order carefully and check with the clerk before enrolling — confirming this first can save you from paying for a class that does not count.
Parent-education rules in more states
Beyond the states above, many states require parent education in divorces involving minor children, but the details — hours, approved curricula, and who must attend — differ from state to state and county to county. Because requirements change and are set locally, treat any nationwide list as a starting point only and verify your own court's rule directly through your state court self-help portal or the clerk of court.
For these states, the details — the program name, hours, online-vs-in-person rule, and the official court list to confirm with — live on our court-ordered parenting-class pages:
| State | Required in a divorce with children? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes — statewide | Arizona parent-education rules → |
| California | Often (by county) | California parent-education rules → |
| Colorado | Often (by county) | Colorado parent-education rules → |
| Illinois | Yes — statewide | Illinois parent-education rules → |
| Michigan | Often (by county) | Michigan parent-education rules → |
| Nevada | Sometimes (a judge may order) | Nevada parent-education rules → |
| New York | Often (by county) | New York parent-education rules → |
| North Carolina | Often (by county) | North Carolina parent-education rules → |
| Pennsylvania | Often (by county) | Pennsylvania parent-education rules → |
| Texas | Often (by county) | Texas parent-education rules → |
| Washington | Often (by county) | Washington parent-education rules → |
Whether a class is required, and which provider counts, is set by your state and county and can change — always confirm with your court before you enroll or pay.
How much does it cost and how do I submit the certificate?
In the states we've verified, fees run from a flat $25 (New Jersey's court-run program) to about $65 for Utah's two required courses, and most approved classes cost somewhere around $25 to $60. Many courts offer fee waivers if cost is a hardship — ask the clerk before you pay. When you finish, the provider issues a certificate of completion. Most courts want that certificate filed with the clerk or brought to your hearing; some approved providers file it electronically for you. Confirm the filing method so your completion is on record before your deadline.
What to confirm before enrolling
| Item to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is a class actually required in your case? | Not every divorce triggers it; requirements vary by court and case type. |
| Approved provider or curriculum | Many counties accept only specific programs — an unapproved class may not count. |
| Number of hours required | Courts set a minimum (often a few hours); a shorter class may be rejected. |
| Deadline for completion | Usually tied to a hearing or the decree — missing it can delay your case. |
| Whether both parents must attend | Some orders require each parent to complete the class separately. |
| How to submit the certificate | Filing rules differ; the court must receive proof before it acts on your case. |
Confirm before you enroll. Whether a divorce- or parent-education class satisfies your order, and which curriculum is accepted, is decided by your specific court and jurisdiction. Requirements vary by state and county, so Next Step Counseling helps you confirm your court accepts the specific provider, format, and curriculum before you enroll or pay.