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Pursuant to Section 61.21, Florida Statutes, each party in a dissolution of marriage action or paternity action who is the natural or legal parent of any minor child whose custody or visitation is directly affected by the action must attend and successfully complete an approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course.

"In-Person Classroom Instruction" Requirement: Please note that each party must attend "in-person classroom instruction" of an approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. Parties unable to attend "in-person classroom instruction" due to special circumstances may, after receiving prior court approval, attend an approved course through the internet or through correspondence. To obtain prior court approval a party must file a motion with the court seeking to waive the "in-person classroom instruction" requirement. A waiver of the "in-person classroom instruction" requirement will only be granted upon the demonstration of "special circumstances" which prevent a party's "in-person classroom instruction" attendance at an approved course. However, an out-of-state party OR a party who is a state resident and whose home county does not offer an approved course with "in person classroom instruction," may elect to take an approved course through the internet or through correspondence without having to file a motion with the court seeking to waive the "in-person classroom instruction" requirement.

For more specific information regarding the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course requirement, see Section 61.21, Florida Statutes.