SLR 11-8.046: EDUCATION FOR PARENTS

(1) The following cases are subject to this rule: annulment or dissolution of marriage actions, legal separation actions, petitions to establish custody or parenting time and post-judgment litigation involving custody or parenting time. (2) All parties, where the interest of a child under the age of eighteen (18) years is involved, shall successfully complete the education for divorcing parents program offered by the court designated providers or a pre-approved alternative education program. Parties shall register for the program or make application for approval of an alternate program within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice of this education requirement. All parties shall complete the program before the initial pretrial conference. (3) Notice and instructions to the petitioner of the requirement that the parties complete the education program or alternative education program will be provided by the trial court administrator when the petition is filed. Petitioner, when serving the respondent with the petition, shall also include a copy of the trial court administrator’s notice. The petitioner’s return of service on the respondent shall indicate service of the notice with the summons and petition. (4) Each party shall pay a fee determined by the program provider to cover program costs. The fee may be waived if the party presents a verified affidavit of indigency to the court, and the party meets indigency guidelines. (5) Each person who successfully completes the court’s program or the preapproved alternative program shall present a certificate of completion to the judge at the pretrial conference. (6) Upon a showing of good cause, a party may request a waiver of this rule. The request must be made by motion, supported by affidavit, and filed within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the trial court administrator’s notice. (7) Court action on a petition shall not be delayed by a party’s refusal or delay in completing the program unless the non-complying party is the petitioner or the moving party. Upon a party’s failure to successfully complete the education program pursuant to this rule, the assigned judge may take appropriate action including, but not limited to, proceedings for contempt.