Will I Have to Take a Parenting Class in My Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on June 12, 2026 in Divorce

If you're divorcing in Illinois and you share minor children with your spouse, you’ll probably have to take parenting classes before your divorce can be finalized. Illinois courts usually require divorcing parents to complete a parental education program before letting them settle issues about child custody, called parenting time and parental responsibilities.

A Plainfield family law attorney can explain how parenting classes in Will County work and help you complete the program without slowing down your case.

Why Do Illinois Courts Require Parenting Classes in Divorce Cases?

Illinois courts can and usually do order parents in dissolution cases to attend an educational program. This comes from state law 750 ILCS 5/404.1, although Illinois Supreme Court Rule 924 also applies and goes further. 

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 924 applies to all parties in cases involving parental responsibilities or parenting time. It requires parents to complete an approved parenting education program of at least four hours. The court can only excuse this requirement for good cause shown. 

These programs teach parents about the effects of divorce on children. Illinois lawmakers and judges realized long ago that children do better when parents understand how divorce affects kids and take steps to make it easier for them. 

What Do You Actually Learn in a Court-Ordered Parenting Class?

The class isn't about teaching you to be a better parent in a general sense. The program focuses specifically on how separation and divorce affect children and what parents can do to reduce the harm.

Most approved programs cover roughly the same core topics. The curriculum typically includes the following subjects:

• How children of different ages react to divorce

• Why kids should never be used as messengers between parents

• How to handle conflict without involving the children

• Co-parenting communication strategies

• Warning signs that a child is struggling after divorce 

After finishing the program, you'll receive a certificate of completion. You or your lawyer must file that certificate with the court. The judge won't enter a final judgment until you do.

Online and In-Person Options

Most counties now approve online programs alongside in-person classes. Online options let parents finish the four hours on their own schedule, which is helpful if you work shifts or don't have childcare. Check your county's approved provider list before paying for any program. The court may not accept a certificate from a provider that isn't approved.

What Happens If You Refuse to Take the Divorce Parenting Class?

Some parents feel insulted by the requirement and decide to skip the class. That's almost always a mistake.

Delays in Finalizing Your Divorce

If a judge requires parents to take a parenting course, the judge generally won't enter a final judgment until both parents file proof that they have finished it. This means if you don't take the class, your divorce sits in limbo. Your spouse's attorney can also use your refusal as evidence that you won't cooperate in co-parenting.

Possible Court Sanctions

A judge can hold a parent in contempt for ignoring a court order, including an order to complete parenting education. Contempt can result in fines or other penalties. On top of that, a judge may decide on parenting issues less favorably for a parent who won’t take the class. This can affect how much parenting time a parent is given. 

Are There Exceptions to the Illinois Parenting Class Requirement?

Rule 924 allows a court to excuse a parent from the program for good cause. Good cause might include having already completed the program in a recent case, or unusual circumstances where attendance truly isn't possible. A judge must approve a waiver request.

Most parents find the class easier than they expected. Four hours is a small price to pay to help a divorce move forward, and many parents learn genuinely helpful information. 

Call a Plainfield, IL Family Law Attorney Today

At The Law Offices of Robert F. Kramer, Ltd., we know divorce with children can feel like you’re managing a million moving pieces. We'll help you get through every legal requirement, including where to take parenting education classes. 

Our two Romeoville, IL divorce lawyers have decades of trial and appellate experience, and we'll guide you from filing for divorce to final judgment. Call us today at 630-785-2400 to schedule a free consultation and get clear answers about what Illinois law requires in your divorce.