The Massachusetts Probate and Family Court has significantly revised Standing Order 3-23 to require a four-hour online parenting course, which has been renamed “Two Families Now.” The revised Standing Order will be effective from February 12, 2024. This course strengthens parenting skills, enables positive parent-child communication, helps parents find ways to reduce parent-child conflict, and helps parents understand the negative impact that parental conflict has on children. The purpose is that.
In the absence of a waiver, any petition for divorce, petition for separation support, petition to establish paternity, or petition for custody/support/support filed on or after February 12, 2024 involving custody or parenting time issues. All parties to the claim must complete it. Online course. Parents filing an uncontested joint divorce petition under GL c. Section 208.1A is not required to complete the course. Judges also retain the power to order parties to complete courses in post-divorce modification and child-rearing contempt.
Either party may seek a waiver of the requirement to complete a co-parenting course. An exemption may be granted if it is clear that:
- Behaviors or patterns of behavior that jeopardize parental communication.or
- language barrier; or
- Imprisonment or other absence of parties.
Exemptions may also be granted in the following cases:
- A written agreement regarding custody and/or parenting time issues has been filed with the court.or
- The parent has previously attended the course.or
- If justice dictates otherwise.
Parents must enroll in the online course within 30 calendar days of service of the complaint and complete the course within 30 days thereafter. The 4 hours do not have to be completed all at once and can be spread over several days.Certificate of completion must be submitted to the court within 14 days of course completion
Click here to learn more about our Co-Parenting Course.
