"Parent's Education Program"
3. a. There is hereby established a mandatory education program to be known as the "Parents' Education Program."
b.The program shall be designed to assist and advise divorced parents on issues concerning divorce, separation and custody. The program shall be made available twice a month. The program shall be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Assignment Judge shall appoint appropriate staff to act as a program representative or representatives, as necessary, for each county.
c.The purpose of the program shall be to promote cooperation between the parties and to assist parents in resolving issues which may arise during the divorce or separation process, including, but not limited to:
(1)Understanding the legal process and cost of divorce or separation, including arbitration and mediation;
(2)Understanding the financial responsibilities for the children;
(3)Understanding the interaction between parent and child, the family relationship and any other areas of adjustment and concern during the process of divorce or separation;
(4)Understanding how children react to divorce or separation, how to spot problems, what to tell them about divorce or separation, how to keep communication open and how to answer questions and concerns the children may have about the process;
(5)Understanding how parents can help their children during the divorce or separation, specific strategies, ideas, tools, and resources for assistance;
(6)Understanding how parents can help children after the divorce or separation and how to deal with new family structures and different sets of rules; and
(7)Understanding that cooperation may sometimes be inappropriate in cases of domestic violence.
Attendance at program required; fee; exceptions
5. a. The court shall order every person who has filed an action for divorce, nullity or separate maintenance where the custody, visitation or support of the minor child is an issue to attend the "Parents' Education Program" established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1999, c.111(C.2A:34-12.3). Each party shall attend separate sessions of the program.
b.Each party shall be required to pay a fee of $25 for registration in the "Parents' Education Program" which shall be forwarded by the Clerk of the Superior Court for deposit in the "Parents' Education Program Fund" established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1999, c.111(C.2A:34-12.2).
c.Except as provided in subsections d. and e. of this section, the court shall require all parties who have filed an action for divorce, nullity or separate maintenance where the custody, visitation or support of the minor child is an issue to complete the program prior to entry of judgment. Failure of a party to participate in the program shall be considered as a factor by the court in making any custody and visitation determinations.
d.The court may exempt a party from attending the program, if the court finds good cause for an exemption.
e.The court shall not refer a party to the program if a temporary or final order restraining either party from contact with the other has been issued pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L. 1991, c. 261 (C.2C:25-17 et seq.), or if either party is restrained from contact with the other party, or a child of the other party, under the criminal or civil laws of this or any other state.
3. a. There is hereby established a mandatory education program to be known as the "Parents' Education Program."
b.The program shall be designed to assist and advise divorced parents on issues concerning divorce, separation and custody. The program shall be made available twice a month. The program shall be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Assignment Judge shall appoint appropriate staff to act as a program representative or representatives, as necessary, for each county.
c.The purpose of the program shall be to promote cooperation between the parties and to assist parents in resolving issues which may arise during the divorce or separation process, including, but not limited to:
(1)Understanding the legal process and cost of divorce or separation, including arbitration and mediation;
(2)Understanding the financial responsibilities for the children;
(3)Understanding the interaction between parent and child, the family relationship and any other areas of adjustment and concern during the process of divorce or separation;
(4)Understanding how children react to divorce or separation, how to spot problems, what to tell them about divorce or separation, how to keep communication open and how to answer questions and concerns the children may have about the process;
(5)Understanding how parents can help their children during the divorce or separation, specific strategies, ideas, tools, and resources for assistance;
(6)Understanding how parents can help children after the divorce or separation and how to deal with new family structures and different sets of rules; and
(7)Understanding that cooperation may sometimes be inappropriate in cases of domestic violence.
Attendance at program required; fee; exceptions
5. a. The court shall order every person who has filed an action for divorce, nullity or separate maintenance where the custody, visitation or support of the minor child is an issue to attend the "Parents' Education Program" established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1999, c.111(C.2A:34-12.3). Each party shall attend separate sessions of the program.
b.Each party shall be required to pay a fee of $25 for registration in the "Parents' Education Program" which shall be forwarded by the Clerk of the Superior Court for deposit in the "Parents' Education Program Fund" established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1999, c.111(C.2A:34-12.2).
c.Except as provided in subsections d. and e. of this section, the court shall require all parties who have filed an action for divorce, nullity or separate maintenance where the custody, visitation or support of the minor child is an issue to complete the program prior to entry of judgment. Failure of a party to participate in the program shall be considered as a factor by the court in making any custody and visitation determinations.
d.The court may exempt a party from attending the program, if the court finds good cause for an exemption.
e.The court shall not refer a party to the program if a temporary or final order restraining either party from contact with the other has been issued pursuant to the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L. 1991, c. 261 (C.2C:25-17 et seq.), or if either party is restrained from contact with the other party, or a child of the other party, under the criminal or civil laws of this or any other state.