Rule SLR 8.015 - EDUCATION FOR DIVORCING PARENTS(1) The following cases are subject to this rule: Annulment or dissolution of marriage actions, legal separation actions or petitions to establish custody or visitation and postjudgment litigation involving custody or visitation.(2) All parties, where the interest of a child under the age of eighteen (18) years is involved, shall successfully complete the education for divorcing parents program offered by the court-designated providers or a pre-approved alternative education program. Parties shall register for the program or make application for approval of an alternate program within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice of this education requirement. All parties shall complete the program before trial or entry of judgment.(3) Notice and instructions to the petitioner of the requirement that the parties complete the education program or alternative education program will be provided by the Trial Court Administrator when the petition is filed. Petitioner, when serving the respondent with the petition, shall also include a copy of the Trial Court Administrator's notice. The petitioner's return of service on the respondent shall indicate service of the notice with the summons and petition.(4) Each party shall pay a fee determined by the program provider to cover program costs. The fee may be waived if the court has granted an application for indigency as to court fees for the matter pending before the court.(5) Each person who successfully completes the court's program or the pre-approved alternative program shall present a certificate of completion to the judge before trial or entry of judgment.(6) Upon a showing of good cause, a party may request a waiver of this rule. The request must be made by motion, supported by affidavit, and filed within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the Trial Court Administrator's notice.(7) Court action on a petition shall not be delayed by a party's refusal or delay in completing the program unless the non-complying party is the petitioner or the moving party. Upon a party's failure to successfully complete the education program pursuant to this rule, the assigned judge may take appropriate action including, but not limited to, proceedings for contempt.(8) Neither party shall move to modify custody or parenting time, or enforce any of the terms of the parenting plan without having first complied with this rule by either: (a) Completing the necessary program and filing the Certificate of Completion with the court; or(b) Securing a written waiver from the court in the manner described above.If a party moves to modify custody or parenting time or enforce any of the terms of the parenting plan without first complying with this rule, then the court may dismiss the modification motion made by the non-compliant party without a hearing on the merits of the motion.
Clackamas Supp. L. R. SLR 8.015
Amended effective 2/1/2024.