Family Law Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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Course

LGLA-1355-001 Family Law

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 

Family Law: The Essentials, 3^rd edition.  © 2015

ISBN-13: 978-128-542-0592

Supplies

No supplies available

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. After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to describe and explain the duties, responsibilities, and relationships of the paralegal in the following (as evaluated by the faculty in the Paralegal Studies program) The scope and skill of a family law practice. Law books and legal institutions as related to the State of Texas. Ethics, competence, fees, and malpractice. The preliminary legal interview including interviewing guidelines and checklists. Antenuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. The formation of ceremonial marriages, common law marriages, annulment, and separation agreements. Child custody, child support, divorce, judicial separation, and separate maintenance. Legal rights of women, illegitimacy and paternity proceedings, legal status of children, adoption, and surrogacy.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

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

Use of Electronic Devices: Turn off your cell phone or put it on silent/vibrate ring during class meeting times. Remove and turn off any blue tooth device. No text messaging will be allowed during class. Put away your iPods, MP3’s, any other device with recorded music, and the earphones to listen to the music. You will be asked to leave class if you are in violation of this request. You will be counted absent and you will not receive credit for that day’s lab projects, quizzes, or tests.

Plagiarism, Cheating and Individual Work Ethic: The Amarillo College policies and Code of Student Conduct is strictly adhered to when dealing with plagiarism, cheating, and duplication of work product. Any evidence of plagiarism, cheating, or duplication of work product will result in a zero on the project or test in question.

A complete statement regarding scholastic dishonesty can be found in the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook at

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

Grading Criteria

25% - Weekly Quizzes
25% - Class Participation

25% - Divorce Notebook
25% - Exams (12.5% each)

Quizzes:  There will be weekly quizzes (True/False, Matching, Multiple Choice) each week. The information from the Quizzes comes directly from the Reading assignment and lecture.

Weekly Notebook Assignments: 

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

Pro Se Divorce Clinic Assignment:

There will be a Pro Se Divorce clinic put on by Legal Aid.  It is expected that you will attend.  There will be further class discussion on this particular matter.

Exams: 

There will be 2 major exams, a midterm and a final.  These will consist of multiple choice, true/ false, fact patterns that you will be questioned about how you would handle the case.

Attendance

As stated in Grading Criteria.  It is imperative that paralegals be at work consistently and in a timely manner.  The same will be expected in this class.

Calendar

Additional Information

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
January 18		MLK Jr. Holiday – AC Closed
January 19		Spring Semester Begins
January 25		Census Day
March 1		Last Day to Withdraw – 8 week courses
March 7		Final Exam
March 14 – March 16		Spring Break – Limited Services
March 17 – March 20		Spring Break – AC Closed
March 21		Spring 2 Classes Begin
March 25 – March 27		Easter Holiday – AC Closed

 

Social Services Office at Amarillo College:

Resources for social services and/or emergency services for students are available at:

http://www.actx.edu/resources/

Please advise your instructor of any situation that is interfering with your performance in the class and take advantage of the resources available through the Social Services Office.

 

Helpful Links:

Direct link to AC Connect portal and courses as well as your AC Connect email- https://acconnect.actx.edu/. You will log in with the same ID and password you use for WebAdvisor.  Contact AskAC (806-371-5000) for help if you have trouble with your log in.

AskAC -  http://www.actx.edu/contact/-   Please contact AskAC for technical help. Contact your instructor for help with this class. 

Student Help Center -  http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=178-   Offers technical help to AC students 

Writers' Corner:

If you feel you need help organizing and writing course work, check this out:
Writers’ Corner: Tutoring with Pizzazz - http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=36. Writers' Corner is a great resource for help with writing papers and assignments. They can't help you with the content of your work, but they can help you write your work in the proper format.

Learn about using AC Connect (Blackboard) and using features of our course by reviewing the following tutorials:

Blackboard On Demand Learning Center for Students– http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm

AC Connect Student Resources- http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=222