Nevada COPE Parenting Class for Divorce and Custody

If you are filing for divorce or custody in Nevada and children are involved, the court requires you to complete an approved co-parenting class. In Clark County, this is officially called the Seminar for Separating Parents — historically known as the COPE (Children of Parents Experience) class. Washoe County has a similar requirement through its Family Services Division.

Skipping this class will stall your case. The court will not enter a final decree until both parents file their certificates of completion.

What the Class Covers

The Seminar for Separating Parents is a 3-to-4-hour program designed to help parents understand how separation and divorce affect children. Topics typically include:

• How children process parental conflict at different developmental stages
• Communication strategies for co-parenting after separation
• How to shield children from adult disputes
• The mechanics of shared parenting schedules
• Resources for families in transition

The class is educational, not therapeutic. You attend individually — not with the other parent — and there is no reporting back to the court about what you said or how you participated. The only thing filed with the court is your certificate of completion.

Approved Providers and Costs

Nevada accepts classes from court-approved providers. The most commonly used options for Clark County include:

• Certevia — online, self-paced ($29.99–$39.99)
• OnlineParentingPrograms.com — online ($49.95 for Clark County, $49.99 for Washoe County)
• Boss Court Education — online and in-person options

Washoe County parents should check the Second Judicial District Court's approved provider list, as accepted providers can differ from Clark County.

All approved providers issue a certificate of completion that you file with the court. Online classes are widely available and accepted — you do not need to attend in person unless you prefer to.

The Deadline

In Clark County (under EDCR 5.302), both parents must complete the class within 45 days of service of the divorce or custody complaint. For uncontested cases filed as a Joint Petition, the court expects completion before the decree is processed.

Missing this deadline does not automatically create sanctions, but it can delay your case. Judges check for the certificate before finalizing custody orders, and some will refuse to schedule a hearing until both parents have completed the requirement.

How to File Your Certificate

After completing the class, most online providers email a PDF certificate. You file it with the court clerk in your county — in Clark County, through the Odyssey e-filing portal; in Washoe County, through the e-Flex system. Keep a copy for your records.

If you are self-represented and unfamiliar with e-filing, the Family Law Self-Help Center in Clark County or the Self-Help Center in Washoe County can assist with the filing process at no charge.

Fee Waivers

If you cannot afford the class fee, check whether you qualify for a fee waiver. Some approved providers offer reduced rates based on income, and the court's self-help centers can direct you to subsidized or free options. Separately, if you have been granted an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (fee waiver) for your court filing fees, mention this when contacting class providers — some will waive or reduce their fee accordingly.

Completing the COPE class early removes one administrative milestone from your case timeline. The Nevada Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes a full filing milestone checklist that tracks the COPE class alongside other court requirements so nothing falls through the cracks.

See more Nevada guides →