Attend divorce education classes

Regardless of where you live, if you are thinking about divorce or have filed for divorce, consider attending Erickson Mediation Institute's, two-part divorce education program. Our class fee is the lowest in Minnesota. To register, call 952-835-3688.

NOTE: PEOPLE FROM ANY MINNESOTA COUNTY CAN ATTEND OUR CLASSES AND MEET STATE GUIDELINES. WE GIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION THAT CAN BE TURNED IN TO YOUR COUNTY, WHETHER YOU ARE DEALING WITH FAMILY COURT IN ANOKA, HENNEPIN, RAMSEY, DAKOTA, SCOTT, CARVER, WASHINGTON OR WRIGHT COUNTY.

Many counties require couples filing for divorce to attend divorce education classes to encourage consideration of alternatives to litigation and reduce associated conflict and expense.

You are required to attend BOTH Class 1 and Class 2 to receive your certificate of completion. After completion of the two-part educational program, you have the option to attend a free one-hour personal consultation with a divorce mediator.

Frequently asked questions about the courses Where are the classes held?
What are the times of the classes?
What are the 2010 dates of the classes?
How many hours is each class?
What is the cost to attend?
Do I have to be a resident Hennepin County?
Do I have to attend with my spouse?
What if there has been on-going abuse in my marriage relationship?
What is covered in the classes?
How do I register? How do these classes compare to others being offered?
What have participants said about the classes?

Where are the classes held?

The classes are held at our offices in Bloomington, Minnesota, to serve greater Minnesota including Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Richfield, Minnetonka, Saint Louis Park, Edina, Burnsville, Plymouth, Eagan, Hopkins, Lakeville, Anoka, and Farmington. The classes are held in a conference room on the lower level of our building, the Northland Executive Office Building, at 3600 American Blvd West, Minneapolis, MN 55431. We are near France Avenue South and American Boulevard.

DIRECTIONS: From Hwy. 494, go south on France Avenue. Turn left onto American Boulevard. At the next light, turn left onto Northland Drive. In half a block, turn right into the parking lot. Call our office at (952) 835-3688 if you have further questions about the room location and directions to our building.

What are the times of the classes?

Classes 1 & 2 are held evenings from 4:30 to 8:30 PM.

What are the 2010 dates of the classes?

Note: The classes DO NOT need to be taken in order; you may take Class 2 first if necessary.

How many hours is each class?

The classes are required to be 4 hours in length.

What is the cost to attend?

Each class costs $40.00 per person. Please be prepared to pay $40.00 by either cash or check at the beginning of each class.

Do I have to be a resident of Hennepin County?

No. Anyone can attend.

Do I have to attend with my spouse?

Both parties may attend the same or separate divorce education classes, whichever they choose.

What if there has been on-going abuse in my marriage relationship?

In cases where abuse is an issue, steps will be taken to ensure that you are NOT scheduled for the same classes as your spouse. The Consultation is not mandatory if there is a current Restraining Order or Order for Protection. When parties in a marriage with a history of abuse choose to consider mediation, they may amend their Order for Protection or Restraining Order to allow meeting together in mediation. The consultation will be structured to handle parties where abuse is a concern.

What is covered in the classes?

Class 1 – Process, Perspective & Emotions of Divorce: Learn about the divorce and settlement process, roles of the professionals, emotional aspects of divorce including understanding divorce from each spouse's perspective. Gain valuable information about property, financial support, and available parenting resources.

Class 2 – Children and Divorce: Offered to parents of minor children. Understand the impact of parental behavior on children in divorce. Learn how to avoid the “pain game” and power and control dynamics. Discuss parenting post-divorce, communicating with our ex-spouse, new relationships, blended families, and the damage caused by domestic violence.

How do I register?

To register, call us at 952-835-3688 and sign up over the phone for the classes you want to attend.

How do these classes compare to others being offered?

These classes are taught by the most experienced divorce mediators and educators in Minnesota. Marilyn McKnight and Stephen Erickson have been teaching these classes since 1993, and have helped thousands of divorcing couples understand the process and how to successfully arrive at a divorce agreement. Course fees are lower than most offerings in the Twin Cities.

What have participants said about the classes?

Here are a few of the hundreds of comments we have received:

“I was not sure what to expect in this class. My idea was touchy feely lets all get along. But it was so much more than that. It is so much about what is best for the children (which I think it should be).”

“Learning to diffuse the anger I have towards his impairments.”

“Understanding my children and the effects [our divorce] has on them.”

“Replacing emotions and uncertainty and fear with reason calmness, new skills, good ideas, and so forth. Emphasizing both parents working together doing what’s best for the children. Good Job!”

“Identifying with spouse A & B – understanding that cycles are normal – it is so nice to identify with someone.”

“Examples allowed me to see where I need to improve my communication with my co-parent.”

“Thank God for mediation and the people who support it!” “. . . learning [about] kids’ feelings and how to help the parents and children get through the hard times.” “I think this is great & hope my husband will seek out and carry through with this class.”

“An additional chance to diffuse tension.”

Request Information

If you have further questions about the divorce education classes, you may send us a confidential email.