Completing the Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course close to or after filing your petition is the most straightforward approach, as it clearly connects your completion to your current case. Whether a court will accept a certificate from a completion that occurred significantly before filing depends on the individual court or judge.

Your completion certificate includes the date you finished the course. Courts use this date to verify that your completion is connected to your current divorce or paternity proceedings. If you completed the course months or years before filing, a court may question whether it satisfies the requirement for your specific case.

Complete the course on or shortly after the date you file your petition. This ensures the completion date on your certificate is clearly tied to your current case, eliminates any ambiguity, and still leaves you within your 45-day deadline.

If you completed the course before filing and your divorce is now underway, consult your attorney before submitting the certificate. Your attorney can advise you on whether your court will accept the earlier completion or whether you should complete the course again.

Can I enroll now and start the course before I file? Yes. You can enroll and complete the course at any time. Just be aware that completing it significantly in advance of your filing may raise questions with some courts. Consult your attorney if timing is a concern.

What if my attorney told me to take the course before filing? Follow your attorney's advice. They know your court and your specific circumstances. If they have told you to complete the course before filing, your completion should be acceptable in your case.

Will Divorce Parenting Class issue a certificate with a different date? No. Your certificate reflects the actual date you completed the course. We cannot alter completion dates.