Family Law and Divorce Mediation
1202A March 2012 Term
Instructor: Lashawn Piquant
Unit 6
Memorandum
To: Supervising Attorney
From: Paralegal-Dow L. Pettis
Re: Florida Parenting Plan Requirements
“Required Educational Seminars for Divorcing Parents and Parents Establishing Paternity
Required by The Sixth Judicial Circuit, State of Florida
Required Participants
Currently, the parties in a divorce with minor children or in a paternity action (where matters of parental responsibility, i.e. custody and/or visitation, are being addressed) are required to attend an approved in-person parent and education and stabilization class. Florida Statute §61.21.
Course Description
Educational course designed to help parents and children cope with the divorce process. Parents will learn more effective ways of communicating with each other and how to identify children 's behavioral reactions at difficult ages to the divorce.
Additional Information
Please note that participation in a distance learning or an on-line class must be pre-approved by the Court and will only be granted in “special circumstances.”
With permission of the Court, Out of County Parties may usually take a similar class that is offered in their Florida county of residence. If one party in the case does not live in Pinellas or Pasco County, they may take a similar class that is offered in their county. The out of state party should contact their local Clerk of Court to determine what agency offers the class locally. If the local court does not require a class of this type in divorce/paternity cases, the local Juvenile Welfare Board should be able to provide information on similar types of classes available in that area. After the class has been completed, a copy of the certificate of completion should be sent to the Pinellas or Pasco County Clerk of Court (see address below). If you feel that you have sufficient legal grounds to be excused from taking the
References: http://www.jud6.org/ContactInformation/familyLaw/Parenting%20Course%20Info.pdf http://archive.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm?m&App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0061/titl0061.htm&StatuteYear=2008&Title=-%3E2008-%3EChapter%2061