Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog
What is the Parent Education Program in North Carolina?
As a parent, you are responsible for the care and well-being of your children. When you divorce, you and your spouse are both generally required to continue to provide for your children. Often, parents share custody of their children. This means that they are both responsible for legal and physical custody of their kids. Sharing parental responsibilities can be challenging, especially in situations where you and your spouse are not getting along. North Carolina provides some guidance in the form of a parent education program that can be helpful to parents who are separating or divorcing.
Parent Education Program
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, NCAOC, manages the parent education program. The program is funded from grants through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, DHHS. The program was established by law in 1998 for the education of parents who are taking part in divorce or custody matters through the court system. The program provides information for parents who reside separately about how to take care of their child’s needs during and after the divorce process.
Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What children’s expenses are not covered by child support?”
Family Court Districts Offer Parent Programs
The family court districts offer parent programs that are designed for parents in their jurisdictions. Programs vary, but may include booklets, presentations, in-person sessions, and parenting classes, among other options. Generally, these programs are intended for family court participants. However, non-family courts may also utilize the resources. A family court judge may order parents to participate in a program. Parents must complete the program, read the handbook, and submit proof of completion to the courts.
Programs may be offered online, in small groups, or in one-on-one sessions. Jurisdictions have developed programs that provide a wide range of resources to parents. Programs are available to meet all the needs of parents and provide them with the support they need to be better and more effective parents. They will learn skills that will help them with parenting matters and give them resources they can access in the future if needed.
Learn to Co-Parent Effectively
Divorce changes the entire family dynamic and may make parenting more difficult. Parents need to know that there is help available to assist them with parenting issues and questions. It can be challenging to navigate parenting after divorce. Both parents need to know how to work together and how to handle individual parenting challenges that will arise. A parenting program can give you the confidence you need as you begin this new dynamic.
A parenting class doesn’t have to be ordered by the court. There are many parenting courses offered through various organizations that provide you with training and support as a divorced parent. Many courses are offered online, and some also offer group or private sessions. Taking a parenting class will likely improve your parenting skills, help you communicate with your child more effectively, and give you tips for dealing with many common parenting problems.
If you have decided to separate or divorce, we can help you with the process. Contact us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to schedule a consultation.
The family law practice group at Arnold & Smith, PLLC includes four Board-Certified Family Law specialists and one Child Welfare Law specialist, as well as several attorneys with many years of family law experience that are committed to providing a powerful voice to individuals facing the often-tumultuous issues in this area of law. The range of issues our family law clients may be facing include pre-and post-nuptial agreements; separation agreements; post-separation support; child support (both temporary and permanent); absolute divorce; divorce from bed and board; military divorce; equitable distribution of assets; child custody (both temporary and permanent); retirement benefits and divorce; alimony and spousal support; and adoption. Because this area of the law is usually emotionally charged and complicated, the family law attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, act with the utmost dedication to ensure that each client understands his or her options and then work to achieve the best result possible for that client’s particular situation.
Source:
Parent Education Program | North Carolina Judicial Branch (nccourts.gov)
NC DHHS: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/playing-on-the-beach-1575442
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-etzu52lGk&list=PLmCumX4VjiLonmquEH7H1bAPLWibDk2XW&index=7
See Our Related Blog Posts:
Parenting Plans in North Carolina