Our law now requires circuit courts, with Supreme Court approval, to designate an organization or agency to establish and operate education programs for parents of minor children involved in any divorce, paternity, support, separate maintenance or other custody proceeding. Parents must attend the classes, unless the court determines that it is inappropriate or unnecessary. Indigent parents do not have to pay the fee. Parent education, which first started in West Virginia as a pilot project in the Eastern Panhandle in 1996, has been very successful. Parents learn to explain to children that the divorce is not their fault, and other ways to help children through the difficulties of divorce.
Parents also learn about the court and mediation process.
Mediation is another important component of the new family law legislation. Every family law master office provides pre-mediation screening to determine if domestic violence, mental illness, or other elements would prevent parents from meaningfully participating. If mediation is appropriate, the court will then designate a person or agency to conduct the mediation. Parents will pay for mediation on a uniform sliding scale based on ability to pay. One of our court system s greatest challenges will be providing mediation for indigent parents.