Jacksonville Parenting Class Lawyer
Is a Parenting Class Needed After a Divorce in Jacksonville?
If you are a parent seeking a dissolution of marriage in Florida, you will have to participate in one of the various parenting classes offered throughout the state. Florida statute 61.21 requires that both divorcing parents take a four hour parenting class if they have children under the age 18. Though the formats vary from county to county, each circuit has some type of program to help assist and educate parents with the needs of their children as the family navigates through the divorce process.
Children First in Divorce
Here in Jacksonville, Florida, parents are required to complete the Children First in Divorce Program. It is a program offered via Hope Haven Children’s Clinic. Please note that both spouses must complete the class before the court will grant a divorce.
Most judges will also require that parents complete this program in paternity actions.
The following is some important information about the class and how to enroll. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via e-mail or call our office at 904-399-1644.
- The contact phone number to schedule the class is: 346-5100
- The registration application must be made within ten (10) days of filing a petition for dissolution of marriage; however, you must have your case number before you can enroll. Please contact your attorney’s office after proceedings have been initiated to obtain this information if you do not already have it.
- The clerk’s office at the Duval County Courthouse, 501 West Adams Street, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202, has registration forms for the program or you can visit the official website here http://www.hope-haven.org/divorce-counseling/.
- The program is conducted on one day for approximately 4-¼ hours.
- The present cost is $40.00 per person.
- The program is presented in a classroom setting and provides information to help educate parents about children and the process of divorce. The class will discuss the concerns that parents have about children, the impact of divorce upon children, and how to assist children through this difficult process.
