Parents with young children in the process of divorce or temporary separation in the state of Utah are required to attend two divorce instruction courses, an orientation course and an education course. Only parents with minor children are required to attend these courses. Unmarried parents involved in a custody or visitation case may also be required to attend these divorce education courses.
The Utah family court does not issue a divorce decree until both parents have completed both courses and until both have provided the court with their certificates of course completion. Below is information to help you meet these Utah divorce course requirements.
The Orientation Course
Course Timeframe Requirement — If you are the divorce petitioner, you are required to attend the Divorce Orientation course no later than 60 days after you file your petition. Your spouse, the respondent, is required to attend the course no later than 30 days after he/she has been served with the petition. If either party to the divorce wants temporary orders of any kind from the Utah family court, the judge will not consider a motion for such orders until after the requesting party completes the courses.
Why is the Orientation Course Required? — The orientation course is for the purpose of educating parents about issues involved in divorce, alternatives to divorce, and available resources for divorced parents in Utah. Topics discussed in the orientation course include:
- Resources for strengthening or improving the marriage
- Both positive and negative consequences of getting a divorce
- The Utah family court divorce process
- Resolutions of child custody and support conflicts that do not require filing for a divorce
- Options for divorce processes (collaborative law, mediation, and litigation)
- Resources for divorced individuals