Sent on behaf or the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Memorandum
To:
Attorneys Representing Divorcing Utah Parents of Children under the Age of Eighteen
From:
Pauleen Schnaper, Education Program Coordinator, Administrative Office of the Courts
Date: 4/11/2007
Re: HB 128 and Divorce Orientation Class
HB 128 created a mandatory one hour, one time, Divorce Orientation class for divorcing Utah parents of children under the age of eighteen years. All who file for divorce or file for the newly created "temporary separation" are required to participate in this class, starting May 1, 2007.
The purpose of the Divorce Orientation class is to educate parties about the divorce process and about reasonable alternatives. A petitioner shall attend a Divorce Orientation course no more than 60 days after filing a petition for divorce. The respondent shall attend the Divorce Orientation course no more than 30 days after being served with a petition for divorce.
Course schedules will be available by following the links on the internet at the courts' public information site, www.utcourts.gov. In most cases, the Divorce Orientation class will be held in conjunction with the Divorce Education class. The fee for the Divorce Orientation class is $20. A portion of the fee is distributed to the Children's Defense Fund. Upon completion of the class, participants will receive a certificate, separate from the divorce education certificate. Both certificates will be filed with their case information.
Attached is the Notice for the Petitioner. Download file(PDF)
If you have further questions, please refer to HB128, or contact Polly Schnaper, Education Program Coordinator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at (801) 578-3823.