100% Online Florida Parenting Class for Divorcing Parents
The online Parent Education and Family Stabilization course satisfies Florida's parenting class requirement for divorcing parents. Our mobile-friendly course is approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
This 4-hour course is designed to educate parents about the process of divorce (dissolution of marriage) and how it can affect both parents and children. The course explains a variety of important topics for divorcing parents to consider, including custody, time-sharing and effective ways to support children throughout the process.
Read on for more information about the course, including its purpose, the topics you'll learn about, course requirements and how you will receive your completion certificate.
Florida Parenting Class Details
Satisfies Training Requirements for:
Parent Education and Family Stabilization course
Approved by:
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Designed for:
Divorcing parents who have minor children
Provides:
Certificate of course completion
Format:
100% online course
Support:
24/7 customer support
Who Needs to Take the Florida Parenting Class?
Florida law requires both parties in a divorce to take a Parent Education and Family Stabilization course when minor children or a paternity action is involved. Parents must complete the course before the court makes a final judgment on the divorce.
Benefits of the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course
Divorce is an incredibly emotional process for families to navigate. No matter how long the couple has been married, how old the children are or how long disputes have occurred, there will likely be tough decisions to make and hardships to overcome. However, that does not mean you or your children are alone.
The Florida Parenting Class will teach you about common challenges that families face during a divorce. Additionally, you will learn how to help your children through this significant change to the family structure.
Parents who complete the course early on in the divorce process typically see the best results. They are more present for their children and can explain the divorce in an age-appropriate way. Completing the Florida Parenting Class will help you support your children throughout the divorce and better understand what they are going through.
Florida Parenting Course Topics
Topics covered in the course include:
- Emotional, physical and social transitions of divorce
- Shared parental responsibility
- How children react to and understand divorce
- Communicating with your children throughout the divorce
- Communicating with the other parent
- Domestic violence, spousal abuse and child abuse
- Legal concepts related to divorce and shared parental responsibilities
- How to plan visitation for the child's benefit
- Where to find additional help during the divorce
The course includes nine modules and a final exam. Parents will also need to complete ungraded quizzes and activities throughout the course.
Course Completion Requirements
To obtain your Parent Education and Family Stabilization course certificate, you must complete the four-hour course, including quizzes and activities. Additionally, you must pass a 20-question final exam with a score of 80% or higher. You have four attempts to pass the exam, which has a time limit of 180 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)?
Yes, our online course is approved by Florida DCF and accepted by most Florida courts. You can visit the DCF website to find American Safety Council on the state's list of approved course providers.
Will my local court accept my Florida Parenting Class certificate?
While the online Florida Parenting Class is approved by the Florida DCF, some courts in the state may not allow you to take this course online. Please contact your local court office to confirm that your certificate will be accepted.
How long is the Florida Parenting Class?
The Florida Parenting Class takes four hours to complete. After you finish all nine learning modules, you must pass a 20-question final exam. The exam has a time limit of 180 minutes.
Do you allow parents with indigent status to register for the Florida Parenting Class for free?
Yes. If a judge declares you indigent, we can sign you up for the course free of charge. Before you register for the course, you will need to provide us your Indigent Status form by email or fax.
When should I take the Florida Parenting Class?
Florida recommends that parents should take the Parent Education and Family Stabilization course as early as possible in the divorce process. In most cases, the parent filing for divorce must complete the course within 45 days of filing the petition, and the other party must finish the course within 45 days of being served a divorce petition.
In paternity actions, the parent filling for divorce is also typically required to finish the course within 45 days of filing the petition. The other party must complete the course within 45 days of his or her acknowledgement of paternity, an adjudication of paternity or an order granting time-sharing to or support from that party.
How will I receive my course certificate?
You will receive a physical copy of your Parent Education and Family Stabilization course certificate by USPS First-Class Mail. You can also request a digital copy of your certificate for an additional fee.
Does the Florida Parenting Class have a final exam?
Yes. The Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization course includes a 20-question final exam that tests student knowledge of the information covered in the course. You have up to four attempts to pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher.
What is the penalty for not taking the Florida Parenting Class?
Parents who do not take the Florida Parenting Class as required may be held in contempt of court. Additionally, they may be denied time-sharing or shared parental responsibility. The consequences of failing to complete the course by the court's deadline should not be taken lightly.
What is a dissolution of marriage in Florida?
A dissolution of marriage is the official term for divorce in Florida. The state only has one requirement for the divorce process to begin. One party must prove that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." This means the person must demonstrate that issues in the marriage cannot be resolved and a healthy marriage is no longer feasible.
What is the difference between a regular and simplified dissolution of marriage in Florida?
A regular dissolution of marriage is the standard divorce process that parents with children under age 18 must follow. Florida also offers a less complicated divorce process called simplified dissolution of marriage, but it is not available to parents with minor children. The simplified process has a variety of other eligibility requirements as well.
