Required Classes for Parents (Divorce, custody, & temporary separation cases)

Class Information

If you have children under 18 years old, you and the other parent must take classes in some kinds of cases

Case

Required Classes

Divorce

Mandatory Parenting Course
Divorce Orientation Course

Custody (or paternity if the case includes custody or child support)

Mandatory Parenting Course

Temporary Separation

Divorce Orientation Course


Be sure your are taking the classes from a court-approved provider. You and the other parent must take the classes or get the requirement waived before you can get a final order.

Looking for the online classes?
Visit Utah State University's page on Divorce and Parenting Classes

Have more questions?
Choose an option below to learn more

You can take the classes online at https://divorce.usu.edu/. The online classes are available in English with closed captions and also in Spanish.

You will pay online by credit card. If the court has waived the fee for the classes, there are instructions on the link above for how to submit the waiver. 

The online class can be taken anytime.

USU Extension is the only court-approved online provider. 

When you finish a class, you will be able to download a Certificate of Completion. You will need to file the certificate with the court as your proof that you took the class. File it with the court - be sure to write your case number on your certificate when you file it.

You can take the classes in person at scheduled times and locations. It does not matter where your case is filed, you can take the classes at any of the locations. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or cash.

Calendars of dates and times
  • September 2024 - PDF
  • October2024 - PDF
  • November 2024 - PDF
  • December 2024 - PDF
Class locations 

If you have questions, call 801-447-5528

City  Address & Important Information
Provo   Provo City Library at Academy Square
550 North University Avenue, Room 308
Free parking
Salt Lake         Redwood Recreation Center
3060 S. Lester St., West Valley City
Free parking
Salt Lake Matheson Courthouse
450 South State St.
Free parking may be available in the underground parking at the courthouse which you access from the eastbound right lane on 400 south. Limited metered street parking is available nearby.

Things to know:
  • You do not need an appointment. Registration takes about 15 minutes, so please arrive early. 
  • Have your court case number with you so you can give it to the teacher.
  • Bring the money for class or if the court waived the fee bring your signed Order on Motion to Waive Fees.
  • You may bring a support person with you. 
  • If a class is held in a courthouse, you will have to pass through airport-type security to enter the building, so do not bring anything that might be considered a weapon or contraband.
  • Children are not allowed
  • Late arrivals will not be admitted 
  • Intoxicated and disruptive people will not be admitted.

When you attend the class, the teacher will submit the Certificate of Completion to the court for you.

Is English not your primary language? You can ask for an interpreter (Spanish or other languages).There is no cost for the interpreter but one must be arranged in advance of the class. For information and forms, see our page Request a Court Interpreter.

In cases where a parent may be incarcerated or there are extenuating circumstances, a DVD can be requested and purchased to view the classes. The DVD contains both English and Spanish versions of the class. To request a DVD, please call 801-238-7181.

Code of Judicial Administration Rule 4-907

Petitioner (the person who started the case)

Must take the classes within 60 days after filing the Petition with the court.

Respondent (the other person in the case)

Must take the classes within 30 days after receiving the Notice of Required Classes.

 

For divorce and temporary separation cases, the cost of the Divorce Orientation class is discounted for the in-person class if it is taken early. See the details in the “How much do the classes cost?” section of this page.

The court cannot hold a hearing on a motion in a divorce or temporary separation case unless the party that filed the motion has taken the required classes. For example, if you file a motion for a temporary orders you will need to make sure you have taken the classes before the hearing. There is an exception for temporary restraining orders.

The court will not sign a final order in the case unless you and the other parent have taken the classes or had them waived. 

The Parenting class fee is $35 per person. 

The Divorce Orientation class fee is $30 per person.

The fee for the in-person Divorce Orientation course will be discounted $15 for a petitioner who attends an in-person class within 30 days of filing the petition, and will be discounted $15 for a respondent who attends an in-person class within 30 days of being served with the petition. The fee for the online Divorce Orientation course will not be discounted.

Are you unable to pay for the fees? If you cannot afford to pay the fees you may ask the judge to waive them. If the judge grants the request to waive the fees, you must give a copy of the signed order to the person teaching the class. For more information and forms to waive fees, see our page on Fees and Fee Waiver.

The divorce orientation class educates parents about divorce and its alternatives. The class informs parents about:

  • Resources to improve or strengthen the marriage.
  • Resources to resolve custody and support issues without filing for divorce.
  • The positive and negative consequences of divorce.
  • Procedural options in a divorce, including mediation, collaborative law, and litigation.
  • The divorce process.
  • Post-divorce resources.

The parenting class teaches parents to understand their children's reactions to transitions and to help their children adjust. Parents learn how children of different ages express their pain and loss and the best parenting methods for helping them cope. Some of the topics discussed are:

  • How children experience change. What to expect from a child based on the child's developmental age, and how to help a child adjust.
  • Helpful ways to communicate with a child. What children need to know and what they don't need to know.
  • Parental behavior that promotes good self-esteem in children. Encouraging and supporting expression of your child's feelings.
  • How and why conflict between parents creates stress for children. How to decrease the conflict children are exposed to.
  • Best practices for meaningful relationships with both parents. Helpful ways to share parenting responsibilities and encourage cooperative behavior with both parents.
  • Financial responsibilities of the parties to the child.
  • Domestic violence has a harmful effect on children and family relationships.

If attending a live course or completing an online course is not appropriate or is not feasible or is not in the best interest of the parties, the judge can waive the requirement. Either party can ask that the requirement be waived by filing a motion. For more information about motion procedures, see our page on Motions, but use the Forms below.

Online classes

Contact Utah State University

In-person classes

Call 801-447-5528

For other questions contact

John Bowers
Education Coordinator
Phone: 801-578-3823
Email: johnizanb@utcourts.gov

Optional Divorce Education for Children Online (ages 6 – 17)

The Divorce Education for Children Class is taught online and is free of charge for children ages 6-17. Children and teens need support getting through a divorce, just like adults do. The class provides children and teens with skills they can use to better communicate their feelings to parents and is designed to minimize the adverse effects divorce has on both children and teens. Classes are taught by licensed mental health professionals and currently offered online throughout the state of Utah. To register for an upcoming Divorce Education for Children Class go to www.utcourts.gov/divorceedforchildren/.

 

Teens Page

The Teens Page is to help older children deal with the changes in their lives because of their parent's divorce. It has resources for dealing with emotions, self-care, and other issues they may face.

Visit the Teens Page

 

Forms

Information about filing documents in existing cases by email

Form to notify party of required classes

  • 1912FA

Form to show the class was completed

  • Certificate of Completion (the class provider will give you the certificate after you finish the class)

Forms to ask to waive the required classes

  • Use OCAP, the Online Court Assistance Program to prepare the forms

- OR -

  • 1202FA
  • 1110FA
  • 1203FA

 

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