Does Illinois Require a Parent Education Class for Divorcing Parents?

 Posted on August 25, 2024 in Child Custody

The state of Illinois requires parents to complete a court-approved parent education course whenever they establish a first-time parenting plan. This applies to both married parents going through a divorce and couples who were never married but are now requesting a custody ruling by the court. In some cases, the court may require parents to take the course again if there has been a request for modification to the original court-approved or court-ordered custody plan.

If a parent does not complete the course, his or her parenting time could be impacted. Your Illinois family lawyer can help guide you through which class is appropriate for your situation.

How Do the Classes Work?

The purpose of the class is to provide parents with the information and tools to help them co-parent in a cooperative manner and to help them provide support for the child as the family navigates through the divorce/breakup process.

Classes are four hours long and are offered both online and in person. Both Cook and DuPage County offer online classes for parents who are going through an uncontested divorce. If the divorce is a contested one, the parents are required to attend in-person classes. Other counties have different exceptions for online classes. Your attorney can let you know if you qualify. The cost of online classes is approximately $40, and in-person classes are $70.

Parents are required to take the course within 60 days after the initial case management conference. They cannot attend the same class as the other parent, and children are not allowed to attend the classes. Each county has its own options for classes.

After the class is completed, parents receive a certificate of completion. The court requires this certificate to proceed with any allocation of parental responsibility or parenting plan legal action.

The only way to avoid taking the class is if the court waives the requirement because the parent shows good cause. If a parent fails to take the course within the required time limit, the judge overseeing their case could impose sanctions against the parent.

What Will I Learn in the Class?

The breakup of a family can have far-reaching emotional impacts on every family member. Even in the friendliest of breakups, there can be residual hurt and anger between the couple. These emotions can interfere with a parent’s ability to communicate and co-parent in a positive way. They can also impact the child’s emotional health. The class helps parents understand not only the impact these emotions can have but also how to redirect them so they do not interfere.

While most parents know that family breakups affect children, they may not be aware of just how profound that impact may be. Children can have an uncanny ability to hide their true feelings from their parents, especially if the parent is already upset. The class will also help parents understand all the effects the breakup can have on their child and how to navigate through these emotions and changes in a healthy way.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Family Lawyer for Legal Assistance

If you are going through a breakup that will involve establishing a parenting plan and allocation of parental responsibilities, make sure you have a skilled Lombard, IL family lawyer representing you to ensure that your parental rights are protected. Call A. Traub & Associates at 630-426-0196 to schedule a confidential consultation.