LGL-240: Family Law

School
Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development
Division
Business & Economics
Department
Legal Studies
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Legal Studies
Course Number
240
Course Title
Family Law
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
ENG-131 with a C grade or better, or Instructor permission
Catalog Course Description

Introduces the laws of divorce, beginning with the pre-commencement interview and ending with filing the final judgment. Covers the substantive and procedural laws of property division, custody, and support in a divorce action. Also examines issues of child abuse, domestic violence, adoption, and post-judgment matters such as modification and relocation.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Initial Client Interview
    • Identify legally significant issues in a divorce action.
    • Describe how to ethically and sensitively compile a family history from a potential client.
  2. Prenuptial, Postnuptial, Cohabitation, and Separation Agreements
    • Explain the substantive and procedural laws required for a legally valid prenuptial, postnuptial, cohabitation, agreement.
  3. Divorce Litigation
    • Describe the no-fault and fault grounds for divorce.
    • Explain the jurisdiction requirements for dissolving marriage, and resolving issues related to spousal support, child support, and property division.
    • Identify the components of a divorce complaint/petition.
    • Describe the pretrial process in a divorce case, including the components of a divorce complaint/petition, pretrial motions, preliminary orders, and main methods of discovery in a divorce.
    • Summarize what occurs in a divorce trial.
    • Explain the primary methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
  4. Spousal Support and Property Division
    • Explain the different types of spousal support and methods for enforcing it.
    • Explain the different types of property that can be awarded in a divorce and the issues related to locating, valuing, and dividing the property.
    • List other financial matters that must be resolved in a divorce action, such as debt, taxes, and wills.
    • Describe the tax effect of alimony, child support, and property division.
  5. Child Custody and Support
    • Describe the different types of custody arrangements available in a divorce.
    • Discuss the legal issues involved in determining custody visitation and modification.
    • Describe the state and federal laws affecting the determination, enforcement, and modification of child support.
  6. Additional Issues related to marriage such as paternity, maternity, and adoption.
    • Explain the custody and support issues involved in nonmartial children, or when an embryo is fertilized by artificial insemination (AI) or other assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
    • Explain the legal issues surrounding adoption, including the procedures for adoption and the termination of parental rights.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Students will be assessed through quizzes, tests, in-class and out-of-class assignments, drafting assignments, and/or class participation.

Outcomes

Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Satisfies Honors Requirements
No
Effective Term
Fall 2025