Maryland Parenting Class for Divorce — Requirements and What to Expect

When a Maryland custody or divorce case involves contested custody, visitation, or child support, the court will order both parents to attend a parent education seminar. This requirement comes from Maryland Rule 9-204 and Family Law Article Section 7-103.2. It's not optional — though the consequences for skipping it might not be what you expect.

What the Seminar Covers

The parent education seminar is a 6-hour course (usually split across two sessions) designed to help parents minimize the impact of separation and divorce on their children. The curriculum typically covers:

• Child development stages — How children at different ages process divorce and what behavioral changes to expect
• Transition strategies — How to handle household exchanges, new routines, and schedule changes with minimal stress
• Conflict resolution — Techniques for communicating with your co-parent without involving the children
• The Maryland Parenting Plan Tool — How to use Form CC-DR-109 to build a practical co-parenting agreement

The seminar is educational, not therapeutic. You're not expected to share personal details about your case, and you won't be evaluated or graded.

Scheduling and Safety

Courts schedule the classes so that parents with active domestic violence situations, child abuse allegations, or protective orders do not attend at the same time. If you have a protective order against the other parent, notify the court and the seminar provider to ensure separate sessions.

Most counties offer multiple class dates and times, including evening and weekend options. Some jurisdictions offer online alternatives, though availability varies by county.

What Happens If You Don't Attend

Here's the key distinction: the court cannot use its contempt powers to punish or incarcerate you for skipping the seminar. No jail time, no fines for non-attendance.

However, the judge can consider your refusal to attend as a negative factor when making the final custody and visitation determination. Under Factor 8 (altruistic co-parenting), a parent who refuses to attend a court-ordered educational program signals unwillingness to prioritize the child's adjustment. That impression can influence the final order.

Exemptions

Parents may be excused from the seminar requirement if they:

• Are currently incarcerated
• Reside outside Maryland in a jurisdiction that doesn't offer a comparable program
• Can demonstrate good cause to the judge

Notably, a history of domestic violence or child abuse is not a valid ground for exemption under Family Law Article Section 7-103.2(c)(2)(v). The court wants both parents to receive the educational content regardless of the case's dynamics — it simply ensures separated sessions for safety.

How to Sign Up

Your court order will include the name of an approved seminar provider in your county. Contact them directly to schedule your sessions. Fees vary but are generally modest ($50-$100). Some counties offer fee waivers for parents who qualify.

Complete the seminar early in your case — don't wait until the trial date. Attending promptly demonstrates cooperation and removes one potential issue from the judge's evaluation.

The Maryland Custody & Parenting Plan Guide complements the seminar by providing the detailed worksheets and schedule-building tools that the seminar introduces but doesn't provide — helping you apply what you learn to your specific parenting plan.

See more Maryland guides →