Parenting education class refusal

I've reproduced Standing Order 4-08 of the Probate and Family Court Department dealing with the Parent Education Program.  I do not know how your judge will deal with the issue if your wife continues to refuse to sign up for the Parent Education Program, but, as you can see, the rule authorizes the court to impose sanctions.  I'm confident the court will convince your wife to cooperate.  Although her refusal may delay your hearing, one spouse cannot prevent a divorce.  Good luck.

This court finds that the interests of the minor children of parties appearing before it would be
well served by educating their parents about children’s emotional needs and the effects of divorce
on child behavior and development.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. All parties to a divorce action in which there are minor children, are ordered to attend and
participate in an approved Parent Education Program (hereinafter, program) except as herein
provided. This requirement applies to divorces brought under Ch. 208 sec. 1 (fault divorces);
and Ch. 208 secs. 1A and 1B (irretrievable breakdown) and as ordered by a judge of this court in
an action to establish paternity, complaints for modification or contempt or in any case involving
visitation, custody, or support of minor children.

2. Attendance at an approved program is mandatory for parties to such actions unless
waived by the court. Parties must register with an approved provider within sixty days (60) days
of service of the original complaint upon the original defendant and attend the next available
session.

3. No Pre-trial Conference or Trial will be held by the court until the court receives a
certificate of attendance from an approved program for each party, or waives the requirement.
An uncontested divorce hearing may be scheduled pending attendance if the parties file
confirmations of registration with the court and so long as both parties complete the program
prior to the hearing. A Pre-Trial Conference in a contested case may be similarly scheduled so
long as the parties complete the program prior to the Pre-Trial Conference.

4. The court may waive the attendance requirement upon motion, with notice, for one or
both parties. Waivers will only be granted upon a demonstrable showing of chronic and severe
violence which negates safe parental communication; language barriers; institutionalization or
other unavailability of a party; failure of the other party to complete a program; unavailability of
an approved program in the county in which the original divorce brought under Ch. 208 sec. 1
and Ch. 208 secs. 1A and 1B was filed; or where justice otherwise indicates.

5. Sanctions for failure to register with an approved program within sixty (60) days of
service of the original complaint upon the original defendant may be imposed by the court.