So you want to get an uncontested divorce in Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois? The good news is that it should be reasonably fast and affordable. One reason you are getting an uncontested divorce is that you get along well enough with your spouse to end things without fighting. You want it to be simple. That’s great.
But if you have kids, there are a few things you need to know about parenting classes.
Here are some frequently asked questions I receive about parenting classes.
Do I need to take a parenting class?
If you have kids, then yes, you do need to take a parenting class.
That may be confusing because you may get along perfectly well with your spouse, and have no problems co-parenting. That doesn’t really matter. You are required to take the class anyway – unless the Court gives you special permission not to take the parenting class (more about that later).
Why do I have to take a parenting class?
It is human nature to wonder why a requirement exists. But frankly, that can sometimes be a waste of time. And such is the case with wondering why parents are required to take a parenting class as a requirement for getting divorced in Lake County.
Long story short, completion of a parenting class is a requirement because the Illinois Supreme Court says so.
The Illinois Supreme Court issues rules that people have to follow when involved in various types of court cases. And divorce is no different. To that end, the Illinois Supreme Court promulgated Rule 294 [link]. Here is a summary of the law:
- County control: County courts can create or approve specific 4-hour parenting classes that meet the requirement (other’s don’t)
- Mandatory attendance: Anyone involved in a case deciding allocation of parental responsibilities (former “custody”) or visitation has to attend the parenting class – unless specifically excused by the court (rare).
- Sanctions: Anyone who doesn’t take the class can be fined by the court.
The Circuit Court of Lake County, in Waukegan, Illinois, has promulgated its own rule about parenting classes [see it here].
How do I take the parenting class, and what does it cost?
There are two ways to take the parenting class in Lake County. Each has a different cost.
- In Person: The in-person parenting class is at the College of Lake County. At the writing of this article, the class is $50 per person.
- Online: Many people would like to take the class online. However, in Lake County, you must have permission of the court to take the online class – and that requires the filing of a motion and a trip to court. At the writing of this article, the online class cost is $150.
How do we prove we took the parenting class?
The parenting class issues a certificate of completion. The Parties bring the certificates to the prove up (the court date where the divorce is finalized).
If you lose the certificate, you need to get a new one before the prove up.
Is there any way out of a parenting class?
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 294 requires that parents take the class “except when excused by the court for good cause shown.”
But it’s not super-easy to get out of the parenting class, and doing so will increase the cost for an uncontested divorce in Lake County, Illinois.
That’s because an extra appearance is required to get out of the parenting class. I lawyer must draft and file a “motion” ask the court to excuse you from the class, then must appear in court – and even then, it is not clear that the Court will let you out of the class.
So you will only prolong your divorce and increase its cost of you try and fail to get out of the parenting class.
When should we get started with the parenting class?
You should take and complete the parenting class as soon as possible. That way a delay in taking the class does not prolong the completion of your divorce.