Kansas Parenting Classes for Divorce

The Requirement

Nearly all Kansas judicial districts require both parents to complete an approved parent education class before a judge will sign the final divorce decree. When a class is ordered in a case involving minor children, failing to file your certificate of completion with the Clerk of the District Court can delay your case indefinitely — the judge simply won't schedule a final hearing until both certificates are on file.

The specific program, format, and cost depend on your county. There is no single statewide curriculum. Each judicial district either runs its own program or maintains a list of approved providers, and you must complete one that your particular court accepts.

What the Classes Cover

Parent education classes in Kansas focus on how divorce affects children and how parents can reduce that impact. Typical curriculum includes child development during family transitions, age-appropriate communication strategies, co-parenting communication skills, and the long-term effects of parental conflict on children's academic performance and emotional health.

These classes are educational — they do not involve counseling, legal advice, or custody recommendations. The provider issues a certificate of completion, which you or your attorney files with the court clerk.

County-Specific Programs

Johnson County (10th Judicial District) — Parents Forever

Johnson County runs the Parents Forever curriculum through the county's Court Services department. The court assigns one of three levels based on your case complexity:

• Level 1: 90 minutes — covers the basic legal process, self-help resources, and an uncontested divorce checklist
• Level 2: 3 hours — the standard requirement, covering child development, co-parenting strategies, and conflict management
• Level 3: 6 hours — an intensive program for high-conflict cases, emphasizing advanced co-parenting and structured negotiation

Check your court order for the assigned level. If the order doesn't specify, the default is Level 2.

Sedgwick County (18th Judicial District) — Kids First Workshop

Sedgwick County requires the Kids First Workshop, a 3-hour program held on Tuesday evenings at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. The enrollment fee is $60, payable by cash, money order, or attorney check to the Clerk of the District Court before 4:00 p.m. on the day of the session. Bring your completion certificate to your final hearing if it hasn't already been filed.

Shawnee County (3rd Judicial District) — Approved Online Providers

Shawnee County accepts approved online co-parenting courses, including programs like Children in Between Online through the Center for Divorce Education. Before enrolling in any online course, verify that the specific provider is on your court's accepted vendor list — not all online programs qualify.

Other Counties

Rural and smaller judicial districts typically accept online programs from nationally certified providers, but the court's accepted list varies. Contact your county's District Court Clerk or Domestic Court Services department to confirm which programs are approved before you spend money enrolling.

Costs

Class fees range from $15 to $150 depending on the county, the provider, and whether you're taking an in-person or online program. Johnson County's Parents Forever and Sedgwick County's Kids First fall in the $20–$75 range for standard-level classes. Online providers typically charge $25–$50.

If you're struggling to pay, check whether your county offers fee waivers or sliding-scale pricing — some do, particularly if you've filed a Poverty Affidavit to waive court filing fees.

Timing

When the class is required, complete it during the 60-day mandatory waiting period after the divorce petition is filed. Most parents can finish the requirement within the first few weeks, which prevents the class from becoming a bottleneck at the final hearing stage.

Both parents must complete the class independently. Enrolling in the same session is allowed (though potentially awkward), but each parent needs their own certificate.

Online vs. In-Person

If your county accepts online courses, they're typically the faster option — you can complete the curriculum at your own pace without scheduling around court-mandated session dates. But the court's order controls: if the judge specifies an in-person program or a particular provider level, that's what you do.

The Kansas Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes a county-by-county reference for class providers and walks you through the full timeline so the class fits into your overall case schedule without creating delays.

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