Shelby County: Dissolution Education Workshop

Another Indiana county with  the requirement of a seminar before finalizing a divorce is Shelby County:

LR73-FL00 Rule 1. Dissolution Education Workshop

Pursuant to I.C. 31-1-11.5-19, Shelby Circuit Court, Shelby Superior Court I and Shelby Superior Court II find that the best interests of the minor child or children of the parties shall be served by encouraging mediation and cooperation between divorcing parents prior to and after the dissolution of their marriage.

The Courts further find that the Mandatory Divorce Workshop will:

1. Aid parents in post-separation parenting;

2. Encourage agreements between parties concerning child related matters; and,

3. Aid Courts in maximizing the use of Court time.

THEREFORE, Shelby Circuit Court, Shelby Superior Court I and Shelby Superior Court II now Order both parties in any Dissolution of Marriage cause of action in which there are minor children to attend the workshop entitled “Children Cope With Divorce”. Attendance shall be mandatory for all parties in any Dissolution of Marriage filed on or after April 1, 1994, if there are unemancipated children under eighteen (18) years of age.

Each party must complete the four-hour course prior to the Final Hearing. The parties shall be responsible for paying the cost of the program, currently Thirty-five Dollars ($35.00) per person; waiver of the fee for indigency may be allowed.

The parties in this cause of action are ordered to contact:

The Visiting Nurse Service

4701 N. Keystone Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46205

(317) 722-8201

1-800-248-6540

within fifteen (15) days of their notice of this Order to make an appointment to attend the workshop without further notice. Failure to complete the workshop may result in a party having to show cause why he/she should not be held in contempt of Court.

The Sheriff of Shelby County is ordered to make due service of the Notice of Order on the Respondent when the Petition for Dissolution is served and make due return thereon.

Adopted and effective April 9, 1996. Amended and renumbered as Rule 1, September 30, 2005, effective October 11, 2005.

Since I first drafted this post, I acquired a Shelby County divorce.  The clerk sent back an Order which differs from the Local Rule.  Since Shelby County followed the Order, I guess it is the thing for all of us to follow.  I have uploaded a copy here.

Updated 11/11/09:    You can access the brochure from Visiting Nurse Service for the Children Cope with Divorce seminar here on Scribd.