Divorce education by state · Florida
Divorce Education Classes in Florida
In Florida, the court-required divorce-education requirement is the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course (Fla. Stat. § 61.21), overseen by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which approves the providers; the requirement itself is imposed statewide by Fla. Stat. 61.21. Here's who has to take it, whether you can do it online, how long it takes, what it costs, and how to find a course the circuit court (family law division) handling your divorce will accept.
Quick answer: divorce education in Florida
Online classes accepted. In Florida, divorce education and the court-ordered parenting class are the same statewide course: Fla. Stat. 61.21 requires all parties to a divorce with minor children to complete a DCF-approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course (minimum 4 hours) before a final judgment. Online is accepted statewide — the law requires DCF to keep at least one approved Internet course on its list — and DCF-approved online courses are the most common way Florida parents satisfy it. the circuit court (family law division) handling your divorce decides what counts — confirm the course and format before you enroll or pay.
At a glance
| Is divorce education required? | Yes — required statewide for divorcing parents with minor children |
|---|---|
| Who takes it & when | All parties to a Florida dissolution of marriage (divorce) that involves minor children — and paternity actions involving parental responsibility — must complete the course before the court enters a final judgment. |
| Course name | Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course |
| Legal basis | Fla. Stat. § 61.21 |
| Deadline | The petitioner must finish within 45 days of filing the petition and every other party within 45 days after being served; completion is required before the court enters a final judgment. |
| Typical length | Minimum 4 hours |
| Typical cost | Commonly about $25–$60, depending on the DCF-approved provider. |
| In person or online? | Online classes accepted |
Florida-specific rules to know
- Both parents must complete it — the statute applies to 'all parties' to the divorce, not just one spouse.
- Deadlines: the petitioner must finish within 45 days of filing and every other party within 45 days after being served; all before the court enters a final judgment.
- Use only a provider approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families (Fla. Stat. 61.21; Rule 65C-32, F.A.C.) — a course not on the DCF-approved list may not be accepted.
- A judge may excuse a party for good cause; a parent who refuses can be held in contempt, denied shared parental responsibility or time-sharing, or otherwise sanctioned.
- If the children have identified special needs or emotional concerns, the parents must choose a course tailored to those needs.
Find an approved divorce-education class in Florida
Start with the official state or court list — that's the one the circuit court (family law division) handling your divorce is most likely to accept — then confirm the specific course with your court or clerk:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for divorce-education classes in Florida — then check any provider against the official guidance above and your court's order before enrolling.
Divorce education vs. a parenting class: "divorce education" focuses on the divorce process itself and how it affects children, while a court-ordered parenting class is the broader custody / co-parenting requirement. In many states the two overlap or are the same course. See how Florida's requirements line up on our Florida parenting-classes page.
Source & accuracy: compiled from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which approves the providers; the requirement itself is imposed statewide by Fla. Stat. 61.21 and official Florida court sources. Requirements change and can vary by county and case — always confirm the course, format, hours, cost, and deadline with your court before enrolling. Sources: flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/61.21, myflfamilies.com/services/child-family/child-and-family-well-being/parent-education-and-family-stabilization, myflfamilies.com/parent-education-and-family-stabilization-course-providers-list.