Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts mandate that divorcing parties attend a Parenting Education Program before a case is scheduled for either a Pre-Trial Conference or Final Hearing unless attendance is waived by the court.
The course is titled "Understanding the Effect of Divorce on Children". The objective is to assist divorcing parties to identify parenting strategies to promote the emotional well-being of their children while minimizing and protecting them from the disruption, acrimony and discord that so often accompanies divorce.
The course is offered in various communities and consists of 2 sessions of 2 ½ hours each, for a total of 5 hours. The cost of the programs may vary from center to center, but cannot exceed $80.00 in total for each parent. The fee may be reduced if a party is indigent or if the Court waives the fee.
Each parent must make his/her own arrangements for attendance at one of the various centers offering the program. Although parents may attend at the same center, they must attend separate sessions.
The Court may waive the attendance requirement for one or both parties, but will usually do so only upon a demonstrated showing of chronic and severe violent behavior that precludes negates safe parental communication; language barriers; institutionalized or other unavailability of a party; failure of one party to complete a program; or where justice otherwise requires.
To obtain a waiver, a Motion must be filed with the Court and sufficient facts presented at the hearing on the Motion. Waivers are rarely granted. The Court may impose sanctions against a party refusing to attend the parenting program.
The following link contains a list of Parent Education Providers, as of May 2011: http://www.mass.gov/courts/
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