Whether you must attend a parenting seminar in a Georgia divorce depends on your circuit, because these programs are set up circuit by circuit rather than statewide.
Where the Requirement Comes From
Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8 lets any superior court circuit establish a program to educate parties in domestic relations cases about the effects of divorce on their minor children. Where a program exists, the judges “may require any or all parties to attend an educational seminar of no more than four hours in any domestic relations action before the court.”
Because it is optional at the circuit level, another county’s practice is not a guide to yours.
What the Seminar Covers
Rule 24.8 requires the seminar to focus on the effects of divorce on children – how the parents’ actions during and after the separation affect them, and how children at different developmental stages are affected – with specific attention to the economic effects.
Cost and Getting Out of It
The court or agency may charge a fee, but the rule requires a fee waiver procedure for indigent parties and the program must be non-profit.
Attendance is ordered by the court, and the assigned judge may waive it for good cause. The rule’s examples include living outside Georgia or outside the county, or having a similar program reasonably available. A judge may also accept alternative counseling covering the same material, and circuits may let you attend an approved out-of-county seminar instead.
What Happens If You Skip It
Unless waived, failing to complete the seminar can mean the judge withholds your final divorce decree, holds you in contempt, or awards attorney’s fees and costs against you. A judge may also grant the decree first and still sanction you afterward for not finishing.
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This post is a quick overview of the law and is not intended as legal advice. Please feel free to contact our office for a consultation if you have questions about this or any other legal aspects regarding your case!