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Does FL Law Require Divorcing Parents to Complete a Parenting Class?
Yes, it does and here is what you need to know about the course you will need to complete if you and your spouse are planning on filing for divorce in Florida.
When a couple in the state of Florida decides to divorce, which is also referred to as a dissolution of marriage, there are several requirements they must fulfill prior to their divorce being finalized. One of those requirements is that they must complete a parenting course, also known as the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course, if the parties have minor children. The courts require this course to be completed because the parental conflict that is often associated with divorce can lead to children suffering from “potential short-term and long-term detrimental economic, emotional, and educational effects during this difficult period of family transition.”
With this parental course, families are expected to be provided with “information regarding the process by which courts make decisions on issues affecting their children and suggestions as to how parents may ease the coming adjustments in family structure for their children” so that they are less likely to suffer from the effects mentioned above [Source: The Florida Senate]. Now, before a couple can complete their parenting course, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services must approve it and it “shall be a course of a minimum of four hours to educate, train, and assist divorcing parents in regard to the consequences of divorce on parents and children.” This course may also be completed on-line.
The Florida Senate says that the course you complete should cover the following topics:
- The legal aspects of deciding child-related issues between parents.
- Emotional aspects of separation and divorce on adults.
- Emotional aspects of separation and divorce on children.
- Family relationships and family dynamics.
- Financial responsibilities to a child or children.
- Issues regarding spousal or child abuse and neglect.
- Skill-based relationship education that may be generalized to parenting, workplace, school, neighborhood, and civic relationships.
The Florida Senate also recommends that those who are divorcing or separating “are more likely to receive maximum benefit from a program if they attend such program at the earliest stage of their dispute before extensive litigation occurs and adversarial positions are assumed or intensified.”
The fact is, when a couple decides to end their marriage, they are then often faced with various obstacles in which they don’t know how to handle. The parenting course they are required to complete is geared toward providing them with the necessary information so that they are more equipped to handle these situations accordingly. Aside from completing the parenting course, individuals going through a divorce are also encouraged to seek legal assistance from a reputable Florida divorce Attorney, who can guide them through the process so that they understand each step of it and possible outcomes which may occur. Therefore, if you are preparing to file for divorce and haven’t yet spoken with an Attorney or aren’t satisfied with the service you are currently receiving, contact Hollywood, Florida divorce Attorney Jodie Bassichis.
Our office is more than qualified to provide you with the support and assistance any divorcing individual would want and need. We are also available to help you through this process. To schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can aid you in the divorce process, call us now at 954-963-7300.
The Law Offices of Jodie Bassichis, P.A. is located at:
Jodie Bassichis, PA
4700 Sheridan Street, Suite J
Hollywood, Florida 33021
(954)963-7300
jbassichislaw@gmail.com
www.FloridaDivorceSource.com
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