Spring 2020 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-1355- Section: 01
Family Law 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Doneane Beckcom
E-mailbeckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6548
Office
Location:Student Center - Room: 415
Hours:MW 10AM - 11AM; TR 9AM - Noon; F 9AM - 11AM; otherwise by appointment
Department
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Sheila Guillot
E-mail:guillsr@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6381

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Course Information
Description Fundamental concepts of family law including formal and informal marriages, divorce, annulment, martial property, and the parent-child relationship with emphasis on the paralegal's role in family law.
Prerequisites LGLA 1307 or concurrent enrollment
Learning Outcomes (Related PSLOs in parenthesis)

PSLO Alpha measure by pretest/posttest.
All other PSLOs measured by embedded test questions, in class discussions, and online discussion board.

1. Use terminology relating to family law (ALPHA, 1)
2. Analyze sources relating to family law (ALPHA, 1, 2)
3. Draft documents used in family law (ALPHA, 1, 3, 4)
4. Analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal in family law (1, 3)
Core Objectives
Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills: demonstrates comprehension of content (legal) area.
PSLO 1: understand legal terms and the paralegal's role in the legal environment.
PSLO 2: apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents.
PSLO 3: demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment.
PSLO 4: exhibit the ability to use computer skills.
Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Family Law for Paralegals, Ehrlich
7th Edition
Aspen College Series, Wolters Kluwer
ISBN 978-1-4548-7339-6

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Lecture Topics
Outline		 We will follow the textbook and cover one chapter per week. This is a face-to-face class, but I have posted video lectures on Blackboard from a previous class so that if you miss a class you will still have access to the chapter lectures. However, do NOT rely on dates from those videos as they are from Spring 2018. Due dates and test dates will be given in class and outlined in this syllabus.

We will also do chapter assignments each week, that will be due the date of each test. There are review questions in each chapter that you will answer, in part to be sure you understand the concepts in the chapter and also so that I can help you with your writing skills.
Major Assignments
Schedule		 Week 1: Intro and Orientation to Course, Chapter 1 Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Nonmarital Couples
Week 2: Chapter 2 Premarital Agreements
Week 3: Chapter 3 Domestic Violence
Week 4: Chapter 4 Divorce, Annulment, Legal Separation
Week 5: Chapter 5 Child Custody, Test 1 (chapters 1 - 4), turn in assignments from chapter 1 - 4
Week 6: Chapter 6 Child Support
Week 7: Chapter 7 Spousal Support
Week 8: Spring Break
Week 9: Chapter 8 Division of Marital Property
Week 10: Chapter 9 Jurisdiction, Test 2 (chapters 5 - 8), turn in assignments from chapter 5 - 8
Week 11: Chapter 10 The Divorce Process
Week 12: Chapter 11 Determining Parentage
Week 13: Chapter 12 Child Abuse and Neglect
Week 14: Chapter 13 Adoption, Test 3 (chapters 9 - 12), turn in assignments from chapter 9 - 13
Week 15: Review for Final
Week 16: Final
Final Exam Date May 6, 2020 - 11:00 AM   Through  May 6, 2020 - 11:50 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Tests: 70%
Attendance: 10%
Final: 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Power Points for each chapter are posted on Blackboard for you to use during lecture or for study aids. The best way to reach me is via email: beckcomde@lamarpa.edu. If you need to discuss grades please make an appointment to see me in person or via phone.
Attendance Policy Regular attendance is required. Attending class is very important to understanding the concepts in this class and participating in discussions.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  3. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLamarPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Other Cell phone in emergencies 409-718-8613
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.