Florida Divorce Parenting Class Requirement: Who It Covers

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

The Florida divorce parenting class requirement covers every party to a divorce with minor children and the parties to a paternity case that involves parental responsibility. In a case that changes a parenting plan or time-sharing schedule, the court may require it too. Parents of a child with special needs or emotional concerns must pick a special course from a separate DCF list.

Key Facts

Divorce: every party to a divorce with minor children must take it. See divorce cases.
Paternity: the parties to a paternity case about parental responsibility must take it. See paternity cases.
Modification: the court may require it when a parenting plan or time-sharing schedule changes. See modification cases.
Special needs: parents must choose a special-needs course when a child needs one. See special needs.
Not covered: a divorce with no minor children falls outside the rule. See who is not covered.

Who the Florida Divorce Parenting Class Requirement Covers

Florida’s rule is in section 61.21 of the Florida Statutes. Subsection (4)(a) names two kinds of cases. In each one, the parties must complete the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before the court enters a final judgment.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) approves the course. It runs at least 4 hours. The statute says “all parties,” so the rule reaches both parents, not just the one who files.

This table sorts family cases by what the statute says:

Case type	What section 61.21 says	Statute part
Divorce (dissolution of marriage) with minor children	Required for all parties	61.21(4)(a)
Paternity case involving parental responsibility	Required for the parties	61.21(4)(a)
Change to a parenting plan or time-sharing schedule	The court may require it	61.21(6)
Children with special needs or emotional concerns	Parents must select a special-needs course	61.21(4)(a)
Divorce with no minor children	Not named in the rule	61.21(4)(a)

Where the Rule Sits in Section 61.21

Section 61.21 is short, and each part does one job. Knowing the parts helps when you read court papers:

Subsection (4)(a) says who must take the course and adds the special-needs rule.
Subsection (4)(b) lets the court excuse a party for good cause.
Subsection (5) sets the 45-day deadlines and the proof step.
Subsection (6) covers modification cases, where the court may require the course.
Subsections (10) to (12) cover attending together, domestic violence and extra courses.

This guide covers subsections (4)(a) and (6). The other parts have their own guides in this series.

Divorce With Minor Children

The statute covers “all parties to a dissolution of marriage proceeding with minor children.” Dissolution of marriage is the legal term for divorce in Florida. “All parties” means the petitioner, who files, and the respondent, who is served.

The rule does not depend on how the case goes. The statute lists no exception for parents who settle. Our guide on uncontested divorces looks at that question.

Each parent works on a separate clock. The petitioner has 45 days after filing, and the other party has 45 days after service. Our timing guide explains the clock.

Paternity Cases

The second group is “a paternity action that involves issues of parental responsibility.” Parental responsibility is the Florida term for who makes major decisions for a child. A paternity case that raises that issue brings the same course rule.

Paternity cases have their own deadline triggers. The petitioner still has 45 days after filing. Any other party’s 45 days start after one of these events:

an acknowledgment of paternity by that party
an adjudication of paternity of that party
an order granting time-sharing to, or support from, that party

The paternity and time-sharing guide covers these cases in depth.

Modification Cases

Some parents go back to court after the divorce to change the parenting plan or the time-sharing schedule. Section 61.21(6) says the parties to that kind of modification “may be required” to complete a parenting course. The course comes before the court enters the modification order.

“May” is the key word. In a divorce or a qualifying paternity case, the law itself requires the course.

In a modification, the judge decides. If your court papers mention the course, follow them, and ask the clerk if you are unsure.

Children With Special Needs

Section 61.21(4)(a) adds a rule about which course to take. If the children have identified special needs or emotional concerns, the parties must select a course built for those needs. A general course does not fit the rule in that case.

DCF keeps a separate list for this. Its special-needs course page names the approved courses for these families. When the page was checked on October 26, 2026, it listed two courses: one online correspondence course, and one offered in person and by virtual class.

The court can go further. Under section 61.21(12), a judge may require a parent to attend extra courses about children with special needs or emotional concerns. Those come in addition to the main course.

Questions that show whether the Florida parent course applies to your family case — Florida Divorce Parenting Class Requirement: Who It Covers 3

Both Parents, Not Always Together

Both parents must take the course, but the law does not make them sit side by side. Section 61.21(10) says the parties are not required to attend together.

There is also a safety rule. If there is a history of domestic violence, the court may stop the parents from taking the course together. It can do this without a motion from either side.

What a parent says in the course stays out of the case. The statute says those statements are not considered unless the parties agree in writing.

What Each Covered Parent Must Do

Being covered means the same tasks for each parent. Each one must:

take a DCF-approved course of at least 4 hours
pass the end-of-course test with at least 70 percent
get a certificate from the provider
file proof with the court before the final judgment

DCF rule 65C-32.002 counts instruction, exercises and the test inside the 4 hours. Online courses must stop anyone from finishing in less than 4 hours.

Who Is Not Covered

Section 61.21(4)(a) is limited to divorces “with minor children” and paternity cases about parental responsibility. A divorce between spouses with no minor children is outside that wording. The statute does not require the course in that case.

Other family cases are not named in subsection (4). For a modification, the court may still order the course under subsection (6). For any other case, read your court papers and ask the clerk.

What the Course Is and Is Not

The course is education for parents. Section 61.21(2) says it “shall not be designed to provide individual mental health therapy.” Providers may not give individual legal advice, and they may not recruit parents as private clients.

That matters for covered parents. The course teaches general topics, such as how divorce affects children. It does not decide your case or replace a lawyer.

Fees Apply Per Parent

Because each parent is covered, each parent may pay. Section 61.21(7) says “a reasonable fee may be charged to each parent attending the course.” No state law sets a price.

There is help for lower budgets. DCF must list at least one site in each circuit with a sliding fee scale, if available. The DCF provider list has a column for indigent status.

Local Pages Use the Same Groups

Florida’s circuit courts describe the rule in their own words. Three official pages show it:

Pinellas and Pasco (Sixth Circuit). The Sixth Circuit’s family law page says the course is “required by statute in any divorce with children case or any paternity case involving issues of parental responsibility.”
Hillsborough (Thirteenth Circuit). The Domestic Relations Case Management Unit page says each parent of a minor child whose parental responsibility or time-sharing is “directly affected by the action” must complete an approved course.
Miami-Dade (Eleventh Circuit). The court’s FAQ applies its program to petitions for divorce, paternity or a change in custody with a child under 18.

Miami-Dade also adds a class for children. A child aged 6 to 17 “must attend a 3½ hour class for children of divorcing parents.” That local rule sits on top of the parents’ course.

How to Check Whether the Rule Applies to You

These questions follow the statute’s own groups:

Is this a divorce with minor children? If yes, both parties take the course.
Is this a paternity case about parental responsibility? If yes, the parties take the course.
Is this a change to a parenting plan or time-sharing schedule? The court may order it, so read your papers.
Does your child have special needs or emotional concerns? If yes, choose from DCF’s special-needs list.
Does your circuit add steps? Check your circuit’s family court page and your clerk’s site.

If the answer is unclear, ask the Clerk of Court or a Florida family law attorney. They can look at your actual case. The main requirement guide adds the deadlines and the proof step.

What We Found on the Official Pages

On the DCF and court pages checked on October 26, 2026, DCF’s parent page said the courses are “a minimum of 4 hours.” It linked to DCF’s list of local and online courses.

Among the circuit pages in this review, Miami-Dade’s FAQ was the only one that named change-in-custody petitions. Its children’s class was the only added class we found.

Who takes which course in Florida family cases, from divorcing parents to children in Miami-Dade — Florida Divorce Parenting Class Requirement: Who It Covers 4

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Each item comes from section 61.21 or an official court page:

Thinking only the filer takes it. The statute says “all parties.”
Skipping it in a paternity case. Paternity cases about parental responsibility are covered.
Ignoring a modification order. The court may require the course when time-sharing changes.
Taking a general course for a child with special needs. The statute calls for a special-needs course.
Assuming you must attend with your ex. Joint attendance is not required.
Missing a local extra. Miami-Dade adds a class for children aged 6 to 17.

How Requirements Can Vary

Section 61.21 of the Florida Statutes sets the course requirement for the whole state, and DCF approves the courses. Each judicial circuit can still add its own steps, such as how to file the certificate or which class formats it accepts. The Fourth Circuit (Duval, Clay and Nassau counties), for example, requires an in-person class.

Laws, court orders and local rules can change. Check your court’s instructions, your county clerk’s website and DCF’s provider list before you enroll or file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both parents have to take the Florida parenting class?

Yes, in a divorce with minor children. Section 61.21 says “all parties,” which includes the petitioner and the respondent. They do not have to attend together.

Does the course apply to paternity cases?

Yes, when the case involves parental responsibility. The other party’s 45 days start after an acknowledgment of paternity, an adjudication of paternity, or an order granting time-sharing or support.

Do I need the course to change my time-sharing schedule?

Maybe. Section 61.21(6) says the court may require it in a modification of a parenting plan or time-sharing schedule. Check your court papers.

What if my child has special needs?

You must select a course built for children with special needs or emotional concerns. DCF keeps a separate list of these approved courses.

Do we need the class if we have no children together?

No. Section 61.21(4)(a) covers divorces with minor children. A divorce with no minor children is outside that rule.

Who approves the course?

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) approves it. DCF’s provider list shows the approved courses and providers.

Conclusion

The Florida divorce parenting class requirement reaches both parents in a divorce with minor children and the parties to a paternity case about parental responsibility, and a judge may add it in a modification. Choose a course on DCF’s list, or a special-needs course when your child needs one. You can take DivorceParentingClass.net’s online Florida parent education course, but first confirm that your court accepts an online course.

Sources

Billy Forte is the owner of DivorceParentingClass.net.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Court rules, local practice, and case facts can differ by county, judge, and case type in Florida. Use official court and state sources, and consult a qualified Florida family law attorney for legal guidance specific to your case.