Understanding Utah’s Mandatory Divorce Class

What is Parent Education and Why Do Some States Require It?

As the number of family-related court filings has risen for many years, households have increasingly depended on the courts to deal with divorce problems consisting of child custody, visitation, child assistance, paternity, emergency situation protective orders, and limiting orders.

As an outcome, courts have discovered that adult conflict related to divorce is a social concern because children suffer potential short-term and long-term detrimental financial, psychological, and educational effects throughout times of family transition due to divorce. To resolve this issue, numerous states have chosen to mandate parent education classes.

What States Require Parent Education Classes?

Seventeen states, including Utah, require ALL divorcing parents, regardless of the divorce being contested or not, to attend some kind of parent education class. The court will not release a decree until both parties have finished the course requirements and have presented a certificate to the court. You must finish the courses as soon as possible however no later on than 60 days after filing the petition if you are the petitioner, or, if you are the respondent, no later on than one month after being served with notice of the course requirements.

Topics Covered in Parent Education Classes

The Divorce Orientation class discusses statistics about divorce and some things to think about during the process. It talks about how kids deal with the divorce process and offers some tips to help them. It also offers some ideas to assist you as you navigate the brand-new waters of post-divorce co-parenting. If you participate in with an open mind, you will likely learn some suggestions to assist you as you shift from married to separated.

• The concerns and procedures for dealing with time-sharing and kid assistance conflicts.
• The psychological experiences and issues of divorcing adults.
• The household problems and the psychological concerns and requirements of the kids.
• Family relationships and household dynamics.
• Financial responsibilities to a child or children.
• Problems regarding spousal or child abuse and overlook.
• Skill-based relationship education that may be generalized to parenting, office, school, community, and civic relationships.
• The availability of community services and resources.

What are the Advantages of Parent Education?

Scientists at Arizona State University established a parent education program called "New Beginnings" in 1992 and monitored the impacts for twenty years. They discovered that separating parents who took part in the program saw significant advantages for their kids 6 years later, including:

• Less major behavior and psychological issues
• Greater grades
• Greater self-confidence
• Less drug and alcohol use
• Less early sexual activity

In a fifteen-year follow-up, the researchers discovered that the program actually lowered depression in the children, who were now in between the ages of 24 and 28. Fifteen years after the program, they had substantially fewer mental disorders and substance abuse problems and a higher quality of relationships with romantic partners than a control group.

Research study showed that the enhancements in children’s behaviors were due to the parenting abilities taught in the program. After the classes, moms and dads were more warm and caring and used more efficient discipline. Parents who participated in the program also reported feeling less depressed.

Educate Yourself with the Law Offices of David Pedrazas

If you're preparing for divorce procedures, contact the Law Offices of David Pedrazas for a free 30-minute consultation on your case. With more than 15 years of experience, our attorneys will develop and present your case both personally and professionally.