Court-required classes

Court-Required Divorce & Parent Education Classes Explained

If you are divorcing and have minor children, many family courts ask you to complete a short divorce- or parent-education class before the judge signs the final decree. These classes are built around the children — not the marriage — and they are usually quick, affordable, and available online. Here is what they cover, how long they take, and how Next Step Counseling helps you identify possible programs and verify court acceptance before enrollment.

Is a divorce/parent-education 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.

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-education class and when is it due?

Most accepted classes are short — often around four hours total — and 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.

Divorce education by state

We've built detailed, source-cited pages for states with a distinct divorce-education requirement — the class specifically about the divorce process and how it affects children, which many courts require before they will sign a decree. Utah is the clearest case: state law mandates two separate courses (a Divorce Orientation Course and a Divorce Education Course) for divorcing parents with minor children. Each page lists the official course name, the statute or rule, hours, cost, the online option, and the official court list to confirm with.

Note the difference: divorce education is about the divorce process and its effect on kids, while a court-ordered parenting class is the broader custody / co-parenting requirement — in several states (Florida, Georgia, Ohio) the two overlap or are the same course. Where both exist we cross-link the matching parenting-classes page.

Which states require divorce/parent education?

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.

Here is a state-by-state starting point. The details — the program name, hours, online-vs-in-person rule, and the official court list to confirm with — live on each state's page:

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?

Court-accepted divorce-education classes commonly cost about $25 to $60, and 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