Arkansas Parenting Classes for Divorce: Requirements, Cost, and What to Expect

You just filed for divorce in Arkansas and the court tells you to complete a parenting class before your case can move forward. You have no idea what this class involves, how long it takes, or whether you can do it online from your kitchen table at 11 p.m.

Here is everything you need to know about the mandatory parenting education requirement in Arkansas.

What the Law Actually Requires

Under Arkansas Code Annotated § 9-12-322, circuit courts are authorized to order divorcing parents to attend a parenting education class in any case involving minor children. In practice, most Arkansas family courts treat this as a standing requirement rather than an optional referral.

The class must be at least two hours long and cover the impact of divorce on children, age-appropriate communication strategies, and cooperative co-parenting techniques. Both parents must complete the class independently — you cannot satisfy the requirement by attending together as a couple.

The court expects your Certificate of Completion before it will finalize your divorce decree. Missing this step can delay your case by weeks.

When to Take the Class

Most parents complete the class during the mandatory 30-day waiting period between filing the Complaint for Divorce and the earliest date the court can enter a final decree. This is dead time in the process anyway — your case cannot move forward during those 30 days regardless.

If you are in a contested custody case that will take months to resolve, the court may order the class at the first temporary hearing. Either way, complete it early. Judges notice when a parent delays court-ordered requirements, and it does not reflect well during best-interest evaluations.

Online vs. In-Person Options

Arkansas approves both online and in-person parenting education courses. The specific providers your county accepts may vary — check with your circuit clerk's office or the judge's standing order for a list of approved programs.

Online classes are the most practical option for most parents. They are self-paced, available 24/7, and generate a printable certificate immediately upon completion. In-person classes are offered periodically in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Jonesboro through local providers and community organizations.

The key requirement is that the course meets the minimum two-hour standard and covers the court-mandated topics. A general online parenting course from a random website will not satisfy the requirement unless it is on the court's approved list.

What the Class Covers

The curriculum is not about teaching you how to parent. It focuses on the specific challenges children face during a family separation:

• Developmental impact of divorce — how children at different ages process parental separation, from regression in toddlers to academic disruption in teenagers
• Communication between co-parents — practical techniques for reducing conflict during exchanges, holidays, and schedule changes
• Keeping children out of the middle — recognizing when you are using your child as a messenger, spy, or emotional support system
• Transition planning — helping children adjust to two households, new routines, and changing family dynamics

The class is educational, not therapeutic. You watch the material, answer comprehension questions, and receive your certificate. It is not a group therapy session and you will not be asked to discuss your personal situation.

Cost

Parenting education classes in Arkansas typically cost between $30 and $60. Online courses tend to be at the lower end of that range. Some providers offer sliding-scale fees for parents who qualify for in forma pauperis status.

If you are already working with a family law attorney, they can recommend a specific approved provider. If you are handling your divorce pro se, call the circuit clerk in your county and ask which courses the presiding judge accepts.

The Mediation Connection

The parenting class is separate from court-ordered mediation, though both may be required in your case. Under Arkansas law, contested custody cases are routinely referred to mediation through the Access and Visitation Mediation Program before the court will schedule a trial.

There is one critical exception: if domestic violence is present in your case, the court can waive the mediation requirement under § 9-12-322(d). The parenting class requirement, however, typically still applies even in domestic violence cases — though the court has discretion to modify this based on safety concerns.

What Happens If You Skip It

Failing to complete the parenting class when ordered creates a compliance problem with the court. The judge can hold you in contempt, delay the finalization of your divorce, or — in contested cases — note your noncompliance as part of the best-interest analysis.

There is no strategic reason to delay this requirement. It takes two hours, costs less than dinner out, and removes one item from your courthouse checklist.

Building Your Complete Custody Strategy

The parenting class gives you a foundation in co-parenting communication, but it does not help you draft your actual parenting plan, calculate child support under Administrative Order 10, or navigate the Act 604 joint custody presumption. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire Arkansas custody process — from filing through final decree — the Arkansas Child Custody and Parenting Plan Guide walks you through every decision, worksheet, and deadline.

See more Arkansas guides →