When you have children, going through a divorce is difficult, stressful, and time-consuming. I know you have your children’s best interests at heart, but remember that King County does as well. That is why it requires all divorcing parents to complete a King County parenting seminar.

When working with our office, you can rest assured that we will walk you through the various milestones of the domestic litigation process – and handle all required mandates as quickly and painlessly as possible. Read on to learn more about the parenting seminar requirement, and be sure to contact divorce lawyer Molly B. Kenny if you have any additional questions.  

Who Must Attend a Parenting Plan Seminar?

Under Section LFLR-13(c) of the King County local rules of court, any parent involved in a divorce, child custody, visitation, major modification, or parentage (paternity) proceeding must participate in an approved parenting plan seminar.

By contrast, the court will generally not require parents seeking a minor modification to attend a seminar, nor will the court mandate attendance for litigants who are from out-of-state and seeking to register a custody and/or visitation order from another jurisdiction. You can expect to learn about the following at the seminar.

  • Development of a parenting plan
  • Understanding of the family court process
  • Effects of parental conflict on young children
  • Helping children through the transition
  • Communication skills

When and Where?

Attendance at a parenting plan seminar must occur within 60 days after the responding party receives the petition. If you cannot attend a seminar within the 60 days, the Family Court Department of the King County Superior Court will fine you $35 for noncompliance.

Fortunately, however, the Family Court Department holds these seminars pretty regularly right in either the Maleng Regional Justice Center or the King County Courthouse – both of which are accessible via public transportation if necessary.

Generally, parenting seminars occur on a weekly basis, and are approximately three hours and 15 minutes long. For your convenience, there are seminars from early morning to late evening. Check the King County website for the schedule and fill out the seminar registration form. You can mail or deliver the form with the $40 seminar fee to the address listed on the form.

Seek Help From Our Child Custody Attorneys

To learn more about the parenting seminar in Seattle or for any questions about your divorce, please contact me at the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny right away: (425) 460-0550. 

Molly B. Kenny
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Divorce and Child Custody Attorney Serving Bellevue and Seattle Washington