Rule 68 - Dissolution of Marriage
Rule 68.13 - Education and Awareness Program
1. The court finds that dissolution, post-dissolution, and paternity proceedings may have a detrimental effect on the emotional well-being of children.
2. The court believes that participation in an awareness program by the parties to dissolution, post-dissolution, and paternity proceedings and their children will assist them in identifying such effects and thereby benefit the parties and more particularly their children.
3. In all cases which have matters involving custody and/or visitation, all parties shall be required to attend the awareness program, except for good cause shown.
4. The petitioner/movant, respondent, and any child/children between the ages of 5 and 17 inclusive that are the subject of the action shall attend said program within forty-five (45) days of the date of service of process. The custodial parent shall ensure the attendance of any child/children.
5. The awareness program will be held several times per month. Each party shall be required to schedule their attendance at this program and to file with the Department of Judicial Records/Domestic Relations Section a certificate of completion (Circuit Court Form 16).
6. If either party fails to attend the awareness program, the court may, on motion, award attorney's fee and/or costs or impose any other appropriate sanction provided by law.
7. In all actions designated on the contested track, the awareness program must be completed no later than the date of the case management conference.
8. In all actions designated on the uncontested track, the awareness program must be completed no later than the date of the uncontested hearing.
Adopted 1/23/04
Effective 2/23/04