Utah Law: Divorce, Family Law, child custody, child support, visitation, parent time, alimony, spousal support, mediation, divorce classes, and other family law issues

   1840 North State Street
   Provo, Utah 84604
   Tel: (801) 377-4652
   Fax: (801) 377-4673

About The Firm Consultations Map Divorce Utah Court Opinions Utah Statutes Support Calculators Divorce FAQs Free Software Divorceware Marketplace Software Advertising Links Send Us E-Mail Home Page Disclaimer Last Update: 1/01/2008

Utah Code, Section 30-3-11.3

30-3-11.3. Mandatory educational course for divorcing parents--Purpose--Curriculum--Exceptions

(1) There is established a mandatory course for divorcing parents as a pilot program in the third and fourth judicial districts to be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts from July 1, 1992, to June 30, 1994. On July 1, 1994, an approved course shall be implemented in all judicial districts. The mandatory course is designed to educate and sensitize divorcing parties to their children's needs both during and after the divorce process.

(2) The Judicial Council shall adopt rules to implement and administer this program.

(3) As a prerequisite to receiving a divorce decree, both parties are required to attend a mandatory course on their children's needs after filing a complaint for divorce and receiving a docket number, unless waived under Section 30-3-4. If that requirement is waived, the court may permit the divorce action to proceed.

(4) The mandatory course shall instruct both parties about divorce and its impacts on:

(a) their child or children;

(b) their family relationship; and

(5) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall administer the course pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 56, Utah Procurement Code, through private or public contracts and organize the program in each of Utah's judicial districts. The contracts shall provide for the recoupment of administrative expenses through the costs charged to individual parties, pursuant to Subsection (7).

(6) A certificate of completion constitutes evidence to the court of course completion by the parties.

(7)(a) Each party shall pay the costs of the course to the independent contractor providing the course at the time and place of the course. A fee of $8 shall be collected, as part of the course fee paid by each participant, and deposited in the Children's Legal Defense Account, described in Section 63-63a-8.

(b) Each party who is unable to pay the costs of the course may attend the course without payment upon a prima facie showing of impecuniosity as evidenced by an affidavit of impecuniosity filed in the district court. In those situations, the independent contractor shall be reimbursed for its costs from the appropriation to the Administrative Office of the Courts for "Mandatory Educational Course for Divorcing Parents Program." Before a decree of divorce may be entered, the court shall make a final review and determination of impecuniosity and may order the payment of the costs if so determined. (8) Appropriations from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the "Mandatory Educational Course for Divorcing Parents Program" shall be used to pay the costs of an indigent parent who makes a showing as provided in Subsection (7)(b).

(9) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall adopt a program to evaluate the effectiveness of the mandatory educational course. Progress reports shall be provided annually to the Judiciary Interim Committee.