Rule 37.Parent education; course content; mandatory attendance; information reporting
Current through December 29, 2025 · Last verified July 8, 2026
In one sentenceRule 37 requires both parents in a case involving minor children to complete an approved parent education course, and fixes what that course must teach and when it must be finished.
(a)Course content. — All parent education courses shall be subject to approval by the Supreme Court of Appeals, and shall educate and instruct parents about the following matters: (1)how to prepare a parenting plan; (2)mediation and other non-judicial methods available to assist parents in achieving agreement on a parenting plan; (3)the negative effects on children of divorce and family dissolution, and the ways in which parents can lessen those negative effects; (4)the negative effects on children of domestic abuse; (5)resources available for dealing with domestic abuse.
(b)Mandatory attendance. — In proceedings involving minor children the parents shall be required to complete parent education, and shall file with the circuit clerk a certificate of completion. For good cause shown, parent education may be waived if the court places on the record a finding attendance is not necessary, and states the specific reasons for the finding. In the absence of such a waiver, parent education shall be completed by both parents prior to any mediation or other non- judicial dispute resolution undertaken to achieve agreement on a parenting plan. If mediation or other non-judicial dispute resolution is not required, parent education shall be completed by both parents prior to the final hearing. If one or both parents have failed to timely complete parent education, the court may halt proceedings, and in such circumstances shall enter a scheduling order setting the next hearing for a date certain and requiring the parents to complete parent education prior to that hearing. For good cause shown the court may conduct proceedings despite the failure of one or both parents to timely complete parent education.
(c)Information reporting. — All court personnel and providers of parent education shall provide the Supreme Court of Appeals such information as the court determines to be necessary for assessing these programs.
End
Amendment History
[Amended by order adopted November 27, 2001, effective January 1, 2002; and by order entered and effective December 1, 2005.]
Plain-English Summary
Parent education courses are subject to approval by the Supreme Court of Appeals and must cover five subjects: how to prepare a parenting plan; mediation and other non-judicial methods for reaching agreement on one; the negative effects of divorce and family dissolution on children and how parents can lessen them; the negative effects of domestic abuse on children; and the resources available for dealing with domestic abuse.
Attendance is mandatory where minor children are involved, and completion is proved by filing a certificate with the circuit clerk. It can be waived for good cause, but only if the court places a finding on the record that attendance is not necessary and states the specific reasons.
The timing is keyed to what comes next. Absent a waiver, both parents must complete the course before any mediation or other non-judicial dispute resolution aimed at agreeing a parenting plan — and where none is required, before the final hearing. If a parent has not finished in time the court may halt proceedings, and must then enter a scheduling order setting the next hearing for a date certain and requiring completion before it; for good cause the court may instead press on.
Court personnel and course providers must supply the Supreme Court of Appeals with whatever information it decides is necessary to assess these programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to attend parent education?
Both parents, in proceedings involving minor children. Completion is proved by filing a certificate of completion with the circuit clerk.
What must the course cover?
How to prepare a parenting plan; mediation and other non-judicial methods of reaching agreement on one; the negative effects of divorce and family dissolution on children and how to lessen them; the negative effects of domestic abuse on children; and resources for dealing with domestic abuse.
When must it be completed?
Before any mediation or other non-judicial dispute resolution undertaken to reach a parenting plan — or, where none is required, before the final hearing.
Can the requirement be waived?
For good cause shown, if the court places on the record a finding that attendance is not necessary and states the specific reasons for it.
What happens if a parent does not complete the course in time?
The court may halt proceedings and must then enter a scheduling order setting the next hearing for a date certain and requiring completion before it. For good cause shown, the court may instead conduct proceedings anyway.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official West Virginia Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Court (W. Va. R. Prac. & P. Fam. Ct. 37). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia (W. Va. Const. art. VIII, § 3). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 8, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:west virginia parent education requirement family courtparent education certificate of completion wvwaive parent education west virginia family courtparenting class before mediation west virginia