Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course: Complete Guide
The Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course is a required 4-hour online course for divorcing parents with minor children in Florida. It is approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and accepted by most Florida courts. This guide covers everything you need to know from enrollment through completion.
What the Course Is
The Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course is required by Florida law for both parties in a divorce or paternity action involving minor children. The course educates parents on the divorce process, its impact on children, effective communication, co-parenting strategies, and the legal aspects of shared parental responsibility.
The course is available entirely online — no classroom attendance is required. You can complete it on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Who Needs to Take It
Both the petitioner and the respondent must complete the course in any Florida divorce involving minor children, or in a paternity action. One parent cannot substitute for the other — each parent must complete their own enrollment and their own course.
Courts may hold a parent in contempt, or deny time-sharing or shared parental responsibility, if the course is not completed by the required deadline.
Deadlines
Florida law requires both parties to complete the course according to specific deadlines:
Petitioner: Must complete the course within 45 days of filing the petition for dissolution of marriage.
Respondent: Must complete the course within 45 days of being served the petition.
For paternity actions, the petitioner must complete within 45 days of filing, and the other party within 45 days of acknowledging paternity, an adjudication of paternity, or an order granting time-sharing or support.
Florida recommends completing the course as early as possible in the divorce process.
Cost
The course costs $29.95. This is a one-time payment. Full course access, all chapter reviews, the final exam, and your completion certificate are all included. Divorce Parenting Class accepts credit card and Apple Pay at checkout.
If a judge has declared you indigent, you may be eligible to take the course free of charge. Contact us before enrolling.
How to Enroll
Visit divorceparentingclass.net/checkouts/checkout-2 and complete checkout. Your account is created automatically and you can begin the course immediately after payment.
How the Course Works
The course consists of 9 modules completed in sequence. Each module ends with an ungraded 10-question chapter review — these do not have a passing score requirement and do not gate your progress. They are for your own learning and review.
After completing all 9 modules, you take a final exam. Your progress saves automatically so you do not need to finish in one sitting.
What the Course Covers
The 9 modules cover topics including:
Emotional, physical, and social transitions of divorce
Shared parental responsibility and time-sharing
How children react to and understand divorce at different ages
Communicating with your children throughout the divorce
Communicating effectively with the other parent
Domestic violence, spousal abuse, and child abuse
Legal concepts related to divorce and shared parental responsibility
How to plan visitation for the child's benefit
Where to find additional help and resources
Final Exam
After completing all 9 modules, you take a 40-question final exam. You must score 70% or higher (28 out of 40) to pass. The exam is open book — you may refer to course material during the exam. You may retake the exam as many times as needed. Correct answers are shown after each attempt.
Your Completion Certificate
When you pass the final exam and complete all course requirements, Divorce Parenting Class automatically emails your completion certificate to you as a PDF attachment immediately. There is no in-account download — save the PDF from your email.
You are responsible for submitting your certificate to the court. Divorce Parenting Class does not submit your completion to the court on your behalf.
Quick Facts
Detail | Answer |
Approved by | Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) |
Required for | Both petitioner and respondent in FL divorce with minor children |
Course length | 4 hours |
Modules | 9 |
Chapter reviews | Ungraded — no pass/fail, no gating |
Final exam | 40 questions, 70% to pass, open book, unlimited attempts |
Cost | $29.95 |
Indigent | Free if declared indigent by a judge — contact us before enrolling |
Certificate delivery | Email only — immediately upon completion |
Who submits to court | You — Divorce Parenting Class does not report to courts |
Petitioner deadline | 45 days from filing |
Respondent deadline | 45 days from being served |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does both parents have to take the course? Yes. Both the petitioner and the respondent must complete their own separate course enrollment. One parent's completion does not satisfy the other parent's requirement.
Does Divorce Parenting Class report my completion to the court? No. Divorce Parenting Class emails your certificate to you upon completion. You are responsible for submitting it to your court.
Will my court accept this online course? The course is approved by the Florida DCF and accepted by most Florida courts. However, some courts do not permit online courses. Contact your local court before enrolling to confirm they will accept your certificate.
What if I miss the 45-day deadline? Courts may hold you in contempt or deny time-sharing if you do not complete the course by the deadline. Contact your court immediately if you are concerned about your deadline.
Can I take the course if I was declared indigent? Yes. Contact us before enrolling and provide your Indigent Status form. We can enroll you at no charge.