How to Fill Out Request for Relief from Judgment - Parent Education Program (JD-FM-149)

The Connecticut form JD-FM-149, officially titled "Parenting Education Program - Order, Certificate and Results," is a crucial multi-part document used in divorce, legal separation, and custody cases involving children under the age of 18. This form is not a request you fill out to start a process, but rather a document that tracks your compliance with a mandatory state requirement. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-69b, parents in such cases must attend a Parenting Education Program (PEP). This program is designed to educate parents on the impact of divorce and family restructuring on children and to provide strategies for cooperative parenting.

The JD-FM-149 form serves as the official record for this requirement. It acts as a court order for you to attend the program, your registration form with the program provider, and the final certificate of completion that gets filed with the court. Different sections are completed by different parties: the court clerk, you (the participant), the program provider, and the court's Family Services Unit. Properly handling this form is essential, as failure to complete the PEP can delay or even prevent the court from finalizing your divorce or custody orders.

Requirements

Before you begin, gather the following information. You will need this to complete your section of the form and manage the process correctly:

• Case Information: Your full case name (e.g., Jane Doe vs. John Doe) and your court docket number.
• Personal Information: Your full legal name and current mailing address.
• Other Parent's Name: The full name of the other parent in your case, especially if you need to request attending a separate class due to safety concerns or a restraining order.
• List of Approved Providers: You must obtain a list of state-approved Parenting Education Program providers from the court clerk's office. You cannot attend just any parenting class.
• Fee Waiver Information (if applicable): If you cannot afford the program fee, you will need to complete and have the court approve a separate form, the JD-FM-75, Application for Waiver of Fees. You must do this before you attend the program.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Case and Participant Information (Top of Form)

This section at the very top of the form identifies your case for the court record. It's important to fill this out accurately so your completion certificate is filed in the correct case.

Name of case (Plaintiff vs. Defendant): Enter the full name of your case exactly as it appears on other court documents. This is usually 'Your Name (Plaintiff) vs. Your Spouse's Name (Defendant)' or vice versa. Example: Jane M. Doe vs. John A. Doe ⚠️ If you are the one who started the divorce, you are the Plaintiff. If your spouse started it, you are the Defendant. Check your other court papers if you are unsure.

Docket number: Enter the unique docket number assigned to your case by the court. This number appears on all official correspondence and documents from the court. Example: FA-23-1234567-S ⚠️ An incorrect docket number can lead to your completion certificate being lost or not credited to your case, which will delay your divorce.

Section 1 - Court Order/Family Support Magistrate Order

This section is an official court order. You do not fill out this section. It is completed by the Court Clerk or a Family Support Magistrate. It's helpful to understand what it means.

Name of participant (Person taking part in the program): The clerk will write your name here, officially identifying you as the person ordered to attend the program. ⚠️ Do not write in this section. Verify that the clerk has spelled your name correctly before you leave the courthouse.

Order Checkboxes: The clerk will check the appropriate box to indicate whether a Judge or a Family Support Magistrate ordered you to attend. They will also check a box indicating whether the court has found you 'Able' to pay the fee or 'Indigent or Unable' to pay (based on your approved JD-FM-75 fee waiver). ⚠️ If you have an approved fee waiver, ensure the 'Is Indigent or Unable to pay' box is checked by the clerk. This is your proof to the provider that the state will cover the cost.

Section 2 - Participant Information

This is the primary section you must complete. Fill it out carefully before you go to your scheduled parenting class.

Name and address of participant (Number, street, town and zip code): Print or type your full name and complete current mailing address, including your street, town, and zip code. Example: Jane M. Doe, 123 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106

Checkbox to request a separate class: Check this box if you do not want to be in the same parenting class as the other parent. This is highly recommended if there are safety concerns, a history of domestic violence, or a restraining/protective order in place. Write the other parent's full name on the line provided. Example: Check the box and write 'John A. Doe' on the line. ⚠️ You must also inform the service provider of this request when you call to register for the class. Checking the box alone is not enough.

Checkbox for Automatic Orders Compliance: In Connecticut, both parties in a divorce are subject to 'Automatic Orders' (per Practice Book Section 25-5) as soon as the case is filed. Attending a PEP is one of these orders. Check this box to indicate you are fulfilling this initial requirement. Example: Check the box. ⚠️ Nearly everyone filing for divorce with children must comply with this. If you are unsure, it is generally safe to check this box.

Understanding Sections 3 and 4

Sections 3 and 4 are completed by others after you attend the program. You are responsible for bringing the form to the provider, but you will not write in these sections.

To be completed by Service Provider: After you attend the class, the authorized person from the PEP provider will complete this section. They will note the date and location of the class and certify whether you 'satisfactorily completed the program' or not. They will then sign and date it. ⚠️ Do not write anything in Section 3.

To be completed by Family Services: The service provider sends the form to the court's Family Services Unit. An authorized person there will complete Section 4, certifying the results to the Superior Court. This officially enters your completion into the court record. ⚠️ Do not write anything in Section 4.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting the Form: The most common mistake is failing to bring all 4 copies of the JD-FM-149 form to the parenting class. You cannot get credit for attending without it.
2. Not Pressing Hard Enough: This is a carbon-copy form. If you don't press firmly with a ballpoint pen, the lower copies will be illegible and may be rejected by the court.
3. Filling Out the Wrong Sections: Do not write in Sections 1, 3, or 4. These are reserved for the Clerk, Service Provider, and Family Services, respectively. Only complete the top case information and Section 2.
4. Not Getting a Fee Waiver First: If you need a fee waiver, you must file Form JD-FM-75 and get it approved by the court before you attend the class. You must bring the approved waiver with your JD-FM-149 form to the provider.
5. Losing Your Copy: The provider will give you a copy of the completed form. Do not lose it. This is your personal proof that you have met the requirement until it is fully processed by the court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Parenting Education Program (PEP) and why do I have to take it? The PEP is a mandatory class in Connecticut for all parents divorcing or seeking custody of minor children. It is required by state law (C.G.S. § 46b-69b) to help parents understand the effects of family conflict on children and learn strategies to co-parent effectively after separation.

Do I have to attend the same class as my spouse/other parent? No, you do not. You have the right to attend a separate class. To do so, you must check the box in Section 2 requesting not to be assigned to the same group and also tell the program provider when you register. This is strongly advised if there is a high level of conflict or a history of domestic violence.

What happens if I can't afford the program fee? If you cannot afford the fee, you must file form JD-FM-75, Application for Waiver of Fees, with the court clerk. If a judge approves your application, the state will pay for your program. You must get the waiver approved before your class and bring the approval form with you.

What are the consequences if I don't complete the Parenting Education Program? The court cannot enter final orders or grant your divorce until both parents have completed the program or a waiver has been granted by a judge (which is rare). Failure to comply can significantly delay your case and may result in the judge issuing other orders to compel your attendance.

I lost my JD-FM-149 form. What should I do? You need to go back to the Superior Court clerk's office where your case is filed and ask for a new JD-FM-149 form. They can provide you with a new one and fill out Section 1 again. Be sure to explain that you lost the original.

Next Steps

After you have completed your portion of the form, follow these steps precisely:

1. Select a Provider: Use the list of approved Parenting Education Program providers obtained from the court clerk to choose a program. Contact them to register for a class.
2. Bring Your Forms: Take ALL copies of the JD-FM-149 form and your approved JD-FM-75 Fee Waiver (if applicable) with you to the class.
3. Submit to Provider: Give all the forms to the service provider when you arrive. They will keep the forms.
4. Attend and Complete the Program: Participate fully in the class to ensure you receive a 'satisfactorily completed' certification.
5. Provider Actions: After the class, the provider will complete Section 3, keep a copy for their records (yellow), give you a copy (pink), and send the original and another copy (green) to the court's Family Services Unit.
6. Family Services Actions: Family Services will complete Section 4 and file the original form with the court clerk, placing it in your official case file. They keep a copy for their records (green).
7. Keep Your Proof: Safeguard your pink copy of the form. It is your official receipt and proof of completion.