If you are going through a divorce in Iowa and have children, you are required to take a class called Children in the Middle. Parents are required to take a Children in the Middle course for separation and custody cases, as well.
Children in the Middle is a 3 to 4 hour class that addresses the importance of keeping your children out of the middle of adult disputes. This is important not only for your case but also to encourage healthy relationships between parents and children during the stress and difficulties that come along with a divorce or custody case.
Iowa district courts have approved a number of Children in the Middle classes which may be taken online or in person. Some classes are also available in Spanish. A list of approved classes can be found either on the Iowa district court website for your county, or your attorney can provide you with a list of approved courses. Here is a sample: https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/CHILDREN_IN_THE_MIDDLEOnline_Course_47FD6577752C7.pdf
Once you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate which you must give to your attorney, so they can file it with the court.
If your divorce case is in Polk or Dallas County, children between the ages of 6 and 16, are required to attend a 2-hour educational workshop presented by the Iowa Center for Children’s Justice. If you are going through a divorce in any county other than Polk and Dallas, your children do not have to take this course.
The ICCJ Workshop gives your children the opportunity to learn about divorce and begin to understand what they may experience throughout the divorce process. The workshop provides children with the tools they will need to cope with the challenges that come with their parents’ pending divorce. During the workshop, your children will participate in educational activities along with other children their age through the guidance of trained facilitators (typically practicing family law attorneys).
Going through a divorce, separation, or custody action will likely be a difficult time for you and your children. While Children in the Middle and the ICCJ Workshop may be mandatory in your case, active participation in these courses can help guide you and your children through the emotional struggles you will face throughout the process. If you need legal assistance for your divorce, separation, or custody case, our attorneys will be happy to assist you. Give us a call at (515) 809-9699.
For more information or to register for the ICCJ Workshop see: https://iowachildrensjustice.org/service/divorce-workshops-for-children/