The state of Florida requires that some people going through a divorce attend an approved course regarding the impact of divorce on children. The goal of the program is to help parents understand what type of affect divorce decisions have on children so they can make the most educated decisions as they navigate custody, support and other negotiations.
The programs, which must be approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families, are not meant to provide education about psychological or mental health matters or provide emotional support during a divorce. Instead, they provide basic information about the legal processes in Florida that are related to divorcing with children.
Information in the courses can include how to access community resources, common family problems associated with the divorce process and procedures for resolving issues related to support or custody during and after a divorce. The courses are meant to be informative and to provide parents with a foundation upon which they can build when considering divorce matters.
The courses are not meant to replace the services of lawyers, and most courses take approximately four hours to complete. If you are required to take a course, you can often do so online.
It’s important to comply with orders to take any courses required with regard to your divorce, child custody or child support case. Refusing to take such courses can result in your being held in contempt by the court, which is frustrating at best and extremely damaging to your case at worst. Your family law attorney can help you understand what your responsibilities are when you seek a divorce as a parent and how you can best protect your children and your interests.
Source: Florida Department of Children and Families, “Title VI,” accessed Nov. 04, 2016
