What Classes Are Required for Divorce in Utah?
Many people assume divorce classes in Utah are optional, informal, or only required in high-conflict cases. That assumption regularly delays divorces.
In Utah, specific court-approved classes are mandatory in most divorce cases involving minor children, and failing to complete them can prevent hearings, stall final orders, or force last-minute scrambling when everything else is ready to be signed.
Knowing what is required and when helps you move through the process without unnecessary setbacks. Our Salt Lake City divorce lawyers can help.
Utah’s Required Divorce Classes: The Basics
In Utah, divorcing parents with minor children are generally required to complete two separate courses:
- Divorce Orientation Course
- Divorce Education Course
These are court-mandated programs, not counseling, and not optional in most cases involving children.
Each parent is responsible for completing the courses individually.
The Divorce Orientation Course
The Divorce Orientation Course focuses on process, not parenting skills.
Its purpose is to help parents understand:
- How divorce cases move through Utah courts
- What judges expect from parents
- How custody, parent time, and support are decided
- How to avoid common procedural mistakes
This course is designed to reduce confusion and repeated court involvement by explaining the legal framework early.
Key Points About the Orientation Course
- Typically completed online
- Usually takes a few hours
- Required early in the case
- Completion is reported directly to the court
Many delays happen simply because this course was overlooked.
The Divorce Education Course
The Divorce Education Course focuses on children, not legal mechanics.
Its purpose is to help parents:
- Understand how divorce affects children at different ages
- Reduce conflict exposure for children
- Improve co-parenting communication
- Support children’s emotional stability
The course emphasizes child-centered decision-making, even when parents disagree.
Key Points About the Education Course
- Also typically completed online
- Required when minor children are involved
- Focuses on minimizing long-term harm to children
- Completion is required before final orders
The court treats this course as a child-protection measure, not a suggestion.
Who Is Required to Take These Classes?
The classes are generally required when:
- The divorce involves minor children, and
- Custody or parent-time is being decided
This applies regardless of whether the case is:
- Contested or uncontested
- Cooperative or high-conflict
- Fully agreed upon or litigated
Even parents who agree on everything must usually complete the courses.
Who Is Not Required to Take the Classes?
The courses are typically not required when:
- There are no minor children, or
- The case does not involve custody or parent-time
If no parenting issues exist, the court has no reason to require parenting-focused education.
Do Both Parents Have to Take the Classes?
Yes. Each parent is independently responsible for completing the required courses.
One parent’s completion does not excuse the other.
If one parent completes the courses and the other does not:
- The case may still be delayed
- Final orders may not be entered
- The non-compliant parent may be ordered back to court
Compliance is individual, not shared.
When Must the Classes Be Completed?
While timelines vary by case, the general expectation is:
- Orientation Course: completed early in the process
- Education Course: completed before final orders
Judges often check course completion before:
- Approving custody agreements
- Entering final divorce decrees
- Signing stipulated parenting plans
Waiting until the end to address the courses is one of the most common causes of last-minute delays.
What Happens if You Don’t Complete the Required Classes?
Failure to complete required divorce classes can have real consequences.
Common outcomes include:
- Delayed hearings
- Postponed final decrees
- Court orders requiring immediate completion
- Temporary orders remaining in place longer than expected
In short, the divorce does not move forward until the requirement is satisfied or formally waived.
Are the Classes Difficult or Time-Consuming?
For most people, no.
Typically:
- Courses are completed online
- They can be taken on your own schedule
- Each course takes only a few hours
- Certificates are transmitted directly to the court
Most parents find the administrative burden minimal compared to the cost of delay.
Can the Divorce Classes Be Waived?
In limited circumstances, yes, but waivers are not automatic.
Utah courts may waive the classes when:
- There is domestic violence or a safety risk
- Participation would be inappropriate or harmful
- Extreme hardship or incapacity exists
Waivers generally require:
- A formal request
- Clear justification
- Court approval
Simply preferring not to take the classes is not enough.
What if My Spouse Refuses to Take the Classes?
If your spouse does not complete the required courses:
- Your compliance does not override theirs
- The court may still delay final orders
- The judge may issue direct orders to compel completion
In some cases, noncompliance can affect how the court views:
- Cooperation
- Credibility
- Willingness to follow court rules
That perception matters in custody-related cases.
Do the Classes Affect Custody Decisions?
The classes are not used to evaluate parenting fitness.
However, failure to comply can indirectly affect the case by:
- Signaling a lack of follow-through
- Undermining credibility
- Delaying resolution
Courts expect parents to comply with basic procedural requirements, especially when children are involved.
Why Utah Requires Divorce Classes in the First Place
Utah requires these courses because:
- High-conflict custody cases strain families and courts
- Children are often harmed by unmanaged parental conflict
- Early education reduces repeat litigation
The goal is prevention, not punishment.
When parents understand expectations early, cases tend to resolve more smoothly.
Common Misconceptions That Cause Problems
Some frequent misunderstandings include:
- “We agree, so the classes don’t apply”
- “My attorney will handle this automatically”
- “The judge won’t care if I skip it”
- “I’ll do it after everything else is done”
These assumptions regularly create avoidable delays.
Strategic Value of Completing the Classes Early
Handling the courses early:
- Keeps the case moving
- Reduces last-minute stress
- Preserves credibility with the court
- Avoids unnecessary hearings or continuances
They are a small requirement with an outsized impact on timing.
The Bigger Picture
Utah’s required divorce classes reflect a consistent principle in family law:
cases involving children deserve structure, education, and accountability.
The courses are not about judgment. They are about reducing harm and improving outcomes.
Completing them on time is one of the simplest ways to keep control of your divorce timeline.
A Practical Next Step
If your divorce involves minor children, understanding which classes are required and completing them at the right time can prevent unnecessary delays and frustration.
If you would like to learn more, give us a call for a consultation.