Family law pertains to the formation and dissolution of domestic relations, including the law of marriage, annulment, separation and dissolution, maintenance, and custody and support of children. This course will study the differences between community and separate property, the classification of property, and the impact of such classification. The role of the paralegal in family law practice and the importance of mediation of domestic issues will also be discussed.

INSTRUCTOR: Linda M. Rediger

OBJECTIVE: The course begins with an overview of divorce law and reviews important aspects to consider in property division, alimony, custody and support in a divorce. The course also describes post-divorce collection actions and necessary court actions after a divorce. Other aspects of family law are studied also, including common law marriage, prenuptial agreements, annulments, civil unions, adoptions, paternity and neglect actions. Students will learn common terminology in family law and some of the procedural concerns to consider in these areas of law.

EXPECTATIONS: You will be expected to spend an average of 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that, barring extenuating circumstances, extensions will not be granted for this online course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course. Students may consider working ahead in the curriculum if they have the time. Students may consider working ahead if they have time.

PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Paralegal I and II, or equivalent experience.

TEXTS:

• Required: Krause, Harry D., Family Law in a Nutshell, 5th Edition. St Paul: West Group
• Required: Cummins, Robert R., Basics of Legal Document Preparation. Albany: Delmar Publishers Inc., 1997.
• Recommended: Garner, Bryan A., Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd Pocket Edition. Albany: Lawyer's Cooperative Publishing R

To order, call The Center for Legal Studies 1-800-522-7737 or Order Online Now.

TESTS: For each lesson you will submit a 50-point test covering the topics in that lesson's reading consisting of a variety of short answer questions and possibly some true/false or multiple choice questions. These assignments are due by 9:00 a.m. each Friday.

BULLETIN BOARD ASSIGNMENTS: You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Forums' under Activities on the Left Hand Block.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six writing assignment assignments, two exams, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions. The exams and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Assignments' under Activities on the Left Hand Block. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation" by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

• The six tests are worth 50 points each and comprise 70% of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 30% of your grade.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $15 administrative fee if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.

About the Instructor: Linda M. Rediger has practiced law in Colorado since 1982 and has specialized in family law, personal injury and trusts since 1985. Linda recently taught a course, "Adoptions & Alternatives to Adoptions to attorneys for their continuing legal education. She has contracted with a legal publishing company to write two booklets, "Stepparent Adoptions," and "Modifying Child Custody," which will be published this year.

Linda has volunteered for many non-profit organizations over the years and served as editor and writer for many nonprofit publications. She was the Colorado Women's Bar Association publications co-chairperson for four years. She also served as vice-president of communications and was also the publications chairperson for the Junior League of Denver, Inc. While she was publications chairperson, the Junior League received an international AJLI award for her work as editor of "Community Connections."

Linda has volunteered for many nonprofit organizations over the years and served as editor and writer for many nonprofit publications. She was the Colorado Women's Bar Association publications CO-chairperson for four years. She also served as vice-president of communications and was also the publications chairperson for the Junior League of Denver, Inc. While she was publications chairperson, the Junior League received an international AJLI award for her work as editor of "Community Connections."