Benton/Franklin Superior Court

		
		
                                               Local Civil Rule 94.05W
                                             MANDATORY PARENTING SEMINARS

     (a)  Applicable Cases.  This rule shall apply to all cases filed after January 1, 1997 under Chapter 26.09,
Chapter 26.10, or Chapter 26.26 RCW which require a parenting plan or residential plan for minor children; including
dissolutions, legal separations, major modifications, paternity actions in which paternity has been established, and
non-parental custody actions	

     (b)  Mandatory Attendance.  In all cases governed by this rule, all parties shall complete a parenting seminar
approved by the court.  Standards for parenting seminars shall be established by the court and providers approved by
the court.  A list of approved providers may be located at www.benton-franklinsuperiorcourt.com.

     (c)  Timing.  Parties required by this rule to participate in a parenting seminar shall complete an approved
parenting seminar within 60 days of service of a petition or motion initiating the action which is subject to this
rule.  In the case of paternity actions initiated by the prosecuting attorney's office, the parenting seminar shall be
required only when paternity is established or acknowledged and a parenting plan is requested.  The class will be
completed prior to entry of a permanent parenting or residential plan.

     (d)  Fees.  Each party attending a seminar shall pay a fee charged by the approved provider and sanctioned by the
court.  The court may waive the fee for indigent parties.

     (e)  Special Consideration/Waiver.

     (1)  In no case shall opposing parties be required to attend a seminar together.

     (2)  If the court determines that attendance at a seminar is not in the children's best interest, pursuant to
Chapter 26.12 RCW, the court shall either:

     (A)  waive the requirement of completion of the seminar; or

     (B)  allow participation in an alternative parenting seminar if available.

     (3)  The court may waive a party's attendance or extend the time required for attendance at a seminar for good
cause shown.

     (f)  Failure to Comply.  Willful refusal to participate in a parenting seminar or willful delay in completion of a
court ordered parenting seminar by any party will constitute contempt of court and may result in sanctions, including,
but not limited to, imposition of monetary terms, striking of pleadings, or denial of affirmative relief to a party not
in compliance with this rule.

[Adopted Effective January 1, 1997; Amended Effective September 1, 1999; September 1, 2018]