Divorce Education Classes

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By Greenwood & Black

Published: Jul 17, 2004

If you and your spouse have minor children who are issue of your marriage (not children from a prior relationship), then Utah law requires that you both attend a Divorce Education for Parents course prior to obtaining your divorce. The courts will not usually finalize your divorce if either you or your spouse have not attended the course.

You need only attend one session of the divorce course. Each session is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes long. A copy of the divorce class calendar is available through your attorney or at the courthouse. Also, you can call the following numbers to find out more about the dates, times, and locations of the classes and to register. You must register prior to attending. You cannot simply arrive at the class and hope to obtain a seat.

Davis County
Salt Lake County
Summit County
Tooele County
Utah County
Weber County
Box Elder County
Rich County
Morgan County
Daggett County
Uintah County
Cache County
Iron County
Washington Co.
Beaver County
Garfield County

451-4401
535-5115
336-4451
882-9210
429-1048
399-8497
734-2433
793-2415
829-6811
784-3154
789-7534
753-7953
586-7440
673-7225
438-2352
676-8826

Kane County
Sanpete County
Wasatch County
Juab County
Wayne County
Sevier County
Carbon County
Emery County
Grand County
San Juan County
Piute County
Millard County
Duchesne County
Duchesne County
(Roosevelt)

644-2458
835-2131
654-3211
623-0271
836-2731
896-9256
637-2150
381-2139
259-1350
587-2122
577-2840
743-6608
738-2753

722-0235

There is a $35.00 charge per person for the course, payable at the door. You must arrive on time to be admitted. Children are not permitted at the course.

You should take your civil case number with you to the course to ensure credit for attendance. Also, provide your attorney with a copy of your certificate of attendance at the course after you attend.

Waiving the Divorce Class

In certain unusual circumstances a judge may waive the requirement that either you or your spouse take the divorce class. Normally even if you or your spouse live outside Utah you must either take the class or view a videotape of the course. Only in the unlikely event that you cannot either attend the class in person or view a videotape at home will the court waive the class. For example, if your spouse is imprisoned the court may be willing to waive the divorce class for your spouse.

Refusing To Take the Course

In the past we have seen some spouses who refused to take the class in an attempt to prevent the divorce from being finalized. Such efforts are never fruitful. Your spouse can obtain a divorce if he or she seeks it even if you do not want the divorce. If you refuse to take the divorce class you may be held in contempt by the court and may be forced to pay your spouse's attorney fees and court costs incurred in forcing you to take the course.

Time Period in Which To Attend Divorce Course

If a sheriff or constable serves you with a divorce complaint and you are required to take the divorce course, you must do so within 45 days of the date you are served.

Content of the Course The course is designed to help parents understand and deal with the difficulties their children face in a divorce. The course providers state the following as the class goals:

1. Give parents information which will help them support their children's emotional well-being.

2. Create a greater understanding of how and why conflict between parents creates stress for children. Encourage greater effort by parents to decrease conflict.

3. Encourage parents to cooperate with each other to minimize the conflict on their children.

4. Encourage parents to understand that children need a meaningful relationship with both parents.

Last modified: Jan 18, 2005 12:37 PM