Florida Statute 61.21 requires parents involved in dissolution of marriage cases with minor children to complete a Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course approved by the Florida Supreme Court. Our course meets all requirements outlined in this statute.

Yes, our courses has been specifically DCF approved for the entire state of Florida and meets Florida Statute 61.21 requirements for online education. All 67 Florida counties accept online courses approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Florida law explicitly requires the Department to maintain “at least one statewide approved course to be provided through the Internet.” Online providers are widely recognized and accepted throughout the state. We guarantee court acceptance of our course, or we will provide a full refund.

The deadline is strict: 45 days. If you are the petitioner (the person who filed), you must complete the course within 45 days of filing the divorce or paternity petition. If you are the respondent (the person served with the petition), you have 45 days from the date you are served. Courts do not extend these deadlines except for good cause. The only way to delay is to request written approval from the judge before the 45-day deadline expires. Missing the deadline can delay your divorce indefinitely and result in court sanctions.

The standard four-hour course covers the effects of separation and divorce on children, coparenting and communication skills, conflict management and dispute resolution, the legal system and how courts make custody and support decisions, financial responsibilities to children, time-sharing guidelines, the emotional impact of divorce on both parents and children, and how to minimize conflict for the sake of the children. Our Florida court-approved online class allows you to enroll in minutes, complete the course at your own pace, and instantly download your official certificate of completion. Your certificate is verifiable through our online portal and accepted by courts, probation departments, and attorneys statewide.

Yes. In fact, the requirement is triggered by filing. When you file a divorce or paternity petition involving minor children, you are immediately required to begin the parenting course. Do not wait—complete it as soon as possible within the 45-day window. The court cannot enter a final judgment without both parents’ certificates.

Florida courts accept certificates from providers that are approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). The certificate must show that you completed at least four hours of instruction covering the statutory topics. Before enrolling, verify that your chosen provider is DCF-approved. Each judicial circuit’s court maintains a list of approved providers.

Failure to complete the course within 45 days results in serious consequences. The court will not finalize your divorce or enter a parenting plan. Your case stalls indefinitely. Additionally, the judge may hold you in contempt of court, restrict your parenting time, deny you shared parental responsibility, impose financial sanctions, or prevent you from making major decisions about your child’s education and health care. A parent who fails to complete the course may be found not committed to the child’s best interests, which can negatively affect the final parenting order.

The court can still move forward with your divorce or paternity case, but the non-compliant parent may face restrictions. The judge may limit that parent’s parenting time, deny shared parental responsibility, or impose other sanctions. If the non-compliant parent’s failure to complete the course is affecting your child’s stability or your ability to finalize the case, you can ask your attorney to file a motion requesting enforcement.

Courts can excuse the requirement only for “good cause,” which is strictly interpreted. Illness, disability, or extreme hardship documented in writing and filed with the court before the 45-day deadline may warrant an excuse. Simply being busy or inconvenienced does not qualify as good cause. You must request an exception in writing and obtain the judge’s approval before the deadline passes.