Family Law Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

LGLA-1355-001 Family Law

Prerequisites

LGLA 1307 and BCIS 1305 or Department Chair consent

Course Description

This course presents fundamental concepts of family law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include formal and informal marriages, divorce, annulment, marital property and the parent-child relationship.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

No textbook required.

Supplies

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Student Performance

The student will define and properly use terminology relating to family law; locate, describe, and analyze sources of law relating to family law; describe the roles and ethical obligations of the paralegal in family law and draft documents commonly used in family law.

1. The scope and skill of a family law practice.
2. Law books and legal institutions as related to the State of Texas.
3. Ethics, competence, fees, and malpractice.
4. The preliminary legal interview including interviewing guidelines and checklists.
5. Antenuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements.
6. The formation of ceremonial marriages, common law marriages, annulment, and separation agreements.
7. Child custody, child support, divorce, judicial separation, and separate maintenance.
8. Legal rights of women, illegitimacy and paternity proceedings, legal status of children, adoption, and surrogacy.

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If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ http://www.actx.edu/student/responsibilities/

Grading Criteria

20% - Quizzes
30% - Online Assignments
20% - Divorce Assignment
30% - Exams (15% each)

Quizzes:  There will be 3 quizzes (True/False, Matching, Multiple Choice) due each week online. The information from the Quizzes comes directly from the online content. The quizzes must be completed before 5:00 p.m. on the following Tuesday.

Online Assignments:  Each week, you will be expected to complete an assignment online as noted on the class schedule. The assignment will be due at class time on the following Tuesday from which it is assigned.

Divorce Assignment: You will draft documents for a typical simple divorce. There will be a Pro Se Divorce clinic put on by Legal Aid on Saturday, October 3. If you attend, you will complete the paperwork for the clients you assist using ProDoc (and you will receive 20 bonus points). If you cannot attend the clinic, you will be given fictional information to complete the paperwork.

Exams:  There will be 2 major exams, a midterm and a final.

Attendance

\ Employees in the business world are expected to be at work each day; therefore, students in paralegal studies classes are expected to be in class promptly and routinely. Your grade will be affected by your attendance through weekly quizzes (see below).

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Additional Information

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