Family Law Syllabus for 2013-2014
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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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Sampson & Tindall's Texas Family Code
annotated with CD-ROM, 2013 edition
John Sampson & Harry Tindall (Thomson Reuters / West Publishing)
ISBN-13: 978-0314658128

Supplies

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Student Performance

Learning Outcomes

The student will define and properly use terminology relating to family law; locate, describe, and analyze sources of law 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. Martial relationship and martial property
    
4. Child custody, child support, divorce, paternity proceedings, suit affecting the parent child relationship
    
5. Protective orders
    
6. Termination and adoption

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Expected Student Behavior

Grading Criteria

Project and Testing Policy: I have given specific dates for project due dates and tests.  These are to be adhered to unless changes are announced in class.   Test dates have been specifically designated.  If any changes are made they will be announced in class.  If you are not going to be present on the evening of the Mid-Term you will be required to contact me prior to the test or you will not be allowed to make up the test.  The Final Exam must be taken on the date and time listed unless prior arrangements are made.  Finally, you are responsible for material in your reading assignments for tests regardless of whether or not it is specifically discussed in lecture.

Drafting Assignment: You will be assigned drafting projects throughout the semester. These will be done through ProDoc and turned in via email.

Divorce Assignment: You will draft documents for a typical simple divorce. There will be a Pro Se Divorce clinic on Saturday, November 2, 2013. We will have class time dedicated to learning ProDoc, drafting documents, and reviewing the documents. 

Special Topics Assignment: You will be divided into groups and assigned a Family Law topic to research and present to the class.  

Exams:  Midterm and a final are your two major exams

Grading Criteria:

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.  Attendance will count as 10% of your grade. If you are in class, you will get a 100 that evening; if you are not, you will get a 0; no excuses, no exceptions for missed classes.  A sign in sheet will be available at the beginning of each class.  If you are late it is your responsibility to sign in at break or at the end of class.  I will check roll from the sign in sheet. If I cannot read your writing, you do not get credit for being there. 

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