questions & answers

Question: The judge ordered: IT IS ORDERED that both parties shall participate in co-parenting classes through Parenting Skills. Is this the same class I completed and filed a certificate for on 9/30/2011 PEC - Parent Education Certificate? If so, am I required to take it again? Does an online course comply with Maricopa Superior Family courts requirements? If not, since the place in Scottsdale given to me at court on 09/12/13 no longer does the class where on the West side (Peoria/Glendale) can I go to comply with this order?

Answer: The following information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It may be beneficial to you to call the Clerk of the Court in order to receive the most up-to-date information possible. You may also find our article on Parent Education Classes helpful. The course you completed was like the Parent Education Class, a mandatory course that parents seeking divorce must take in order to educate parties about the effects of divorce on their children. The co-parenting classes are likely not the same course—it is a separately mandated course that parents must take together in order to teach parents how to work together. Usually these courses are mandated in the case of contentious divorces, where parents have trouble working together. Considering this course is designed specifically to help two individuals work together, it is doubtful that the course can be completed online. The Judge may have been specifically referring to the co-parenting classes offered through the Parenting Skills Program run by Human Resource Training, Inc. More information can be at their website. According to the website: “A Master’s level counselor helps parents learn to better communicate and cooperate to meet their children’s needs. Periodic progress reports can be prepared if needed for court decision-making purposes. The cost of co-parenting sessions are $90 per hour.” Both parents must call to request services and the Program will need a copy of the court order mandating its services. Human Resource Training, Inc. has multiple locations, please see this page to find one that works for you.