Complete study of the substantive law of domestic relations. Includes law of marriage, adoption, divorce, annulment, separation, family obligations, etc. Also explores matrimonial actions and various procedures employed therein. Prerequisites: BL40 and BL41 or approval of instructor A-G/3 credit hrs.
III. GOALS OF THE COURSE:
The law faculty will assist business and non-business majors to achieve the desired learning outcomes listed below. In addition, the faculty will provide an opportunity for all students to develop, improve, expand and practice their written and oral communication, problem solving, collaborative, hypothetical application, research and decision-making skills.
To that end, instruction will be directed at introducing students to:
A. The capacity to demonstrate a working knowledge of requirements
for entering into marriage in New York.
B. The ability to recognize the interrelationship of the laws of intestacy and domestic relations.
C. Analyze the societal ramifications of the dysfunctional family.
D. The advantages of the impact of equitable distribution, including the ability to race assets to be distributed under the current law.
E. A working knowledge of the grounds for divorce and recognizing the
evidentiary problems created.
F. The demonstration of knowledge of the judiciary’s protection of children.
IV. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of BL78 (Domestic Relations) students will be able to:
A. identify the basic concepts and processes of the Domestic Relations Law.
B. appreciate the relationship between the Family Court Act and the natural parents.
C. distinguish between child neglect and child abuse.
D. interpret the impact of Family Court Decrees.
E. understand the role of Social Services.
V. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS/INFORMATION FOR THE TEACHER:
A. Prerequisite to this course: BL40 and BL41 or approval of instructor.
B. Programs that offer BL78 as an elective
A.A.S. Degree: Paralegal Studies
Certificate Program: Paralegal Studies
C. Courses which require this as a prerequisite or corequisite: None
Area elective in Paralegal Program.
D. External Jurisdiction: This course has been structured to meet the
Requirements of the American Bar Association for courses in
the Paralegal Studies.
VI. MAJOR TOPICS REQUIRED (37 ½ Hours)
A. UNIT ONE (4 HOURS approx.)
Legality of Marriage
Void, Voidable
State’s Power to Control
Licensing and Solemnization
Rights and Liabilities of Husband and Wife
B. UNIT TWO (7 HOURS approx.)
Support Obligations
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act
Custody of Children
The Illegitimate Child
C. UNIT THREE: (8 HOURS approx.)
Dissolution of Marriage
Suit to Annul
Jurisdiction for Divorce
Grounds and Defenses
D. UNIT FOUR: (6 HOURS approx.)
Separation Agreements
Maintenance and Property Division
Equitable Distribution
E. UNIT FIVE: (9 HOURS approx.)
Family Offenses
Juvenile Delinquency
PINS Petitions
Child Protective Proceedings
F. STUDENT LEARNING ASSESSMENT (3.5 HOURS)
VII. SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
Due to the nature of the course, emphasis will be placed on the interrelationships between legal and social parameters.
VIII. EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE (4 HOURS)
A. It is strongly suggested that there be at least two (2) full periods
examinations (or the equivalent in distance education sections) and a
portfolio. The examinations could include short answers, completion, and essay questions. The portfolio could include drafting a separation
agreement and stipulation of settlement. Assessment will include
discussion of cases and parallel applications.
B. The Business Administration and Accounting Department endorses the
college’s “Writing to Learn” initiative and strongly recommends that a
writing component be included in all business and accounting courses.
