LEGL 2253 - Family Law

Description
Covers matters of domestic law, including prenuptial agreements, the formation and dissolution of marriage, marital property, child custody and support, adoption, and other related matters. The role of the paralegal will be emphasized and students will develop an understanding of the ethical issues that are relevant to family law. Students will draft legal documents which are produced in a family law practice.

Pre-Requisite
Completion of LEGL 1043 with a grade greater than or equal to C.

3 Credit Hour(s)

Contact Hours
45 lecture hours

3 Faculty Load Hour(s)

Semesters Offered
Fall

ACTS Equivalent
N/A

Grade Mode
A-F

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

Define the vocabulary of family law.
Discuss the ethical guidelines and role of a paralegal working in a family law legal office.
Explain how mediation works in a family law setting.
Describe the elements for a valid marriage and its effect on other areas of the law (tax, tort, immigration, estate law, bankruptcy, etc).
Describe the statutory right of married individuals.
Interview a family law client and obtain the relevant information.
Describe the procedure for a divorce, legal separation, annulment and adoption.
List the grounds for divorce in the state of Arkansas.
Distinguish between marital and non-marital property.
Discuss some of the tax implications of a divorce.
Draft documents commonly used in a family law practice, such as a prenuptial agreement, divorce complaint, discovery documents, settlement agreement, and decree.
Identify documents used in guardianships and adoptions in the state of Arkansas.
Locate and apply relevant case law and statutory law to a given hypothetical situation.
Discuss recent state and national changes in Family Law and the possible future implications in the field.

General Education Outcomes Supported
N/A

Standard Practices
N/A