Administrative Order No. 5-17.2

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR HARDEE, HIGHLANDS AND POLK COUNTIES, FLORIDA

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 5-17.2

ORDER AUTHORIZING TENTH CIRCUIT FAMILY AND DEPENDENCY MEDIATION
SERVICES TO CONDUCT PARENTING COURSE

WHEREAS, Section 61.21, Florida Statutes, provides that unless excused by court order "all parties to a dissolution of marriage proceeding with minor children or a paternity action which involves issues of parental responsibility shall be required to complete the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course prior to the entry by the court of a final judgment"; and

WHEREAS, Section 61.21, Florida Statutes, further provides that "a reasonable fee may be charged to each parent attending the course"; and

WHEREAS, the Tenth Circuit Court Family and Dependency Mediation Services, as part of their service to the residents of the Tenth Circuit, offers such a parenting course; it is therefore

ORDERED AND DIRECTED that:

1. When a party registers for the parenting course offered by the Tenth Circuit Family and Dependency Mediation Services, the registration shall be accompanied by the fee of $25.00 per party, payable to "Clerk of the Court". If the course is held during weekday business hours at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow, the payment shall be made at the Clerk of Court Cashier’s Office and a receipt shall be brought to Mediation Services staff. Otherwise, payment may be made at the time the class is held to Mediation Services staff. No fee shall be assessed to a party that has received a certificate of indigence from the Clerk of the Court for the pending proceeding that necessitates the parenting course. A certified copy of the certificate of indigence must accompany the registration in lieu of the applicable fee.

Certified Family Mediators employed by the Tenth Circuit Mediation Services, or providers who contract with Mediation Services, will conduct the parenting course.

3. The Tenth Circuit Family and Dependency Mediation Services shall file in the court file a certificate of compliance once a party has completed the course.

Administrative Order No. 5-17.1, entered November 7, 2001, is hereby VACATED.

DONE AND ORDERED on this 10th day of May, 2005.

RONALD A. HERRING

Chief Judge