State Law Requires Some Couples Seeking Divorce To Take Educational Class

Couples with kids will soon have to jump through an extra hoop to get divorced. A new state law requires them to take an educational class on how divorce affects their children.

The goal isn't just to save marriages, but to help kids cope.

One psychologist said the way to save a marriage is to get marriage counseling before even setting a date to head to the chapel.

If a marriage is too far gone, legislators hope the required class will lessen the blow to kids.

"Reconsider, 'Oh my God, what am I putting my kids through? Do I really want to do that,'" said Dr. William Berman.

He said those are important questions to ask in the heat of a divorce.

Berman is one of few Oklahoma psychologists who evaluate child custody battles. He counsels couples before marriage, and meets with those who don't make it to forever.

He said he knows the drastic effect divorce has on children.

Learn More About The New State Law

"It's a period of time when children need their parents more than ever, and parents are least capable of meeting the needs of their children more than ever because they're going through their own turmoil," he said.

Berman agrees with a new Oklahoma law that requires couples with children under 18 - divorcing because of incompatibility - to attend an educational class.

The class covers everything from child behavior, during and after divorce, to domestic violence.

The program is modeled after a class already required in nine Green Country counties.

"Rave reviews about learning things they didn't consider, recognizing the importance of the need to do things differently," Berman said.

Oklahoma has one of the highest divorce rates in the country.

Berman said sometimes the class can save a marriage.

"Maybe if we can make this marriage better, everybody wins," he said.

The law goes into effect Saturday.

The program is called Helping Children Cope With Divorce.

Berman said couples considering marriage should get a pre-marriage assessment before a wedding date is set, perhaps even before an engagement is announced, to make sure the couple isn't just in love, but is ready for forever.