BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES SUPERIOR COURT
MANDATORY PARENTING SEMINARS
LOCAL COURT RULE 94.05W (SEE REVERSE)
If your case is subject to the provisions of Local Court Rule 94.05 W, then you must attend a mandatory parenting seminar within the next 60 days. The seminar is a four hour class designed to inform you about the impact of divorce on your children, what type of reaction you may expect them to have based upon their age, and how you can help your child(ren) through your divorce. We encourage you to please attend as soon as possible, to minimize the damage to your children.
The following agencies have been approved by the Superior Court to provide mandatory parenting seminars.
AGENCY / Phone Number / Email/WebpageCatholic Charities / 509-946-4645 /
*Classes offered in both English and Spanish
First Step Community Counseling Services / 509-735-6900 /
Health Discoveries Consulting / 509-967-2129 /
healthdiscoveriesconsulting.com
Psychological Consultants / 509-946-9613 /
Safe Harbor Support Center / 509-783-5734 /
(Waivers accepted)
You and your spouse (or the opposite party) will be required to attend separate seminars.
You must pre-register and pre-pay for the parenting seminars.
You will be required to show proof of your income to register: either a recent pay stub or income tax form.
You will be required to show proof of your identity when you arrive at the seminars: a driver's license, State ID card, or military ID.
You will be required to attend the full four hours of the seminar. The agency will send proof of your attendance to the Court.
ALL AGENCIES CHARGE THE SAME FEE, BASED ON YOUR INCOME, AS FOLLOWS:
Gross Monthly Income / Class Fee$0 to $416 / $25.00
$417 to $624 / $35.00
$625 to $832 / $50.00
$833 to $1,249 / $65.00
$1,250 to $1,499 / $75.00
$1,500 to $1,999 / $85.00
$2,000 to $2,999 / $100.00
$3,000 or more / $115.00
BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES SUPERIOR COURT
LOCAL RULE 94.05W- MANDATORY PARENTING SEMINARS
(a)Applicable Cases.
This rule shall apply to all cases filed after January 1, 1997 under CH. 26.09, 26.10, or Ch. 26.26 RCW which require a parenting plan or residential plan for minor children; including dissolution’s, legal separations, major modifications, paternity actions in which paternity has been established, and non-parental custody actions.
(b)Mandatory Attendance.
In all cases governed by this rule, all parties shall complete an approved parenting seminar approved by the court. Standards for parenting seminars shall be established by the court and providers approved by the court.
(c)Timing.
Parties required by this rule to participate in a parenting seminar shall complete an approved parenting seminar within 60 days of service of a petition or motion initiating the action which is subject to this rule. In the case of paternity actions initiated by the prosecuting attorney's office, the parenting seminar shall be required only when paternity has been established or acknowledged and a parenting plan is requested. The class will be completed prior to entry of a permanent parenting plan or residential plan.
(d)Fees.
Each party attending a seminar shall pay a fee charged by the approved provider and sanctioned by the court. The court may waive the fee for indigent parties.
(e)Special Consideration/Waiver.
1.In no case shall opposing parties be required to attend a seminar together.
2.If the court determines that attendance at a seminar is not in the children's best interest, pursuant to CH. 26.12 RCW, the court shall either:
A)waive the requirement of completion of the seminar; or
B)allow participation in an alternative parenting seminar if available.
3.The court may waive a party's attendance or extend the time required for attendance at the seminar for good cause shown.
(f)Failure to Comply.
Willful refusal to participate in a parenting seminar or willful delay in completion of a court ordered parenting seminar by any party will constitute contempt court and may result in sanctions, including, but not limited to, imposition of monetary terms, striking of pleadings, or denial or affirmative relief to a party not in compliance with this rule.
Parenting Seminars 1.12.18.doc