Yes. Florida law requires both parties to complete the Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before the court enters a final judgment in a dissolution of marriage involving minor children.

Completing the course is not simply recommended — it is a legal prerequisite to the court finalizing your divorce. If either party has not completed the course, the court may not be able to enter a final judgment, and the divorce process may be delayed.

This is in addition to the 45-day deadline that applies to each party individually:

Both the individual deadline and the requirement to complete before final judgment apply.

If a party has not completed the course and the case is moving toward final judgment, the court may:

Because the course must be completed before the final judgment, completing it as early as possible in the process protects you from delays. Completing the course on or shortly after your filing or service date keeps you well ahead of both the 45-day deadline and any approaching final judgment date.

Can the divorce be finalized if only one parent completes the course? No. Both parties must complete the course before the court enters a final judgment in a case involving minor children. Each parent is responsible for their own completion.

What if the other parent is delaying the proceedings by not completing the course? This is a legal matter for your attorney. The court can impose consequences on a non-complying parent. Contact your attorney for guidance on how to raise the issue with the court.

What if the divorce is uncontested? Do we still both need to complete the course? Yes. The course requirement applies regardless of whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, as long as minor children are involved.