Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-1355 (Section: 01, CRN: 10259)
Family Law
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Tieranny Decuir
Email decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6548
Office Student Center - Room: 415
Office Hours Monday - 1:00pm-3:00pm
Tuesday- 1:30pm-3:30pm
Wednesday -1:00pm-3:00pm
Thursday- 1:30pm-3:30pm

Friday-  10:00am-12:00pm
Additional Contact Information None
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.
Required 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
ISBN10:1543801668
ISBN 13:9781543801668
By Ehrlich, J. Shoshanna / 8TH 20
Publisher: ASPEN PUBC

Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes 1. Use terminology relating to family law.
2. Analyze sources relating to family law.
3.Draft documents used in family law.
4.Analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal in family law.
Program Student Learning Outcomes 1. Understand legal terms and the paralegal’s role in the legal environment.
2. Apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents.
3. Demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment.
4. Exhibit the ability to use computer skills.
Lecture Topics Outline
Marriage and Cohabitation
Premarital and Post marital Agreements 
Domestic Violence
The Law of Divorce, Annulment and Legal Separation 
Child Custody 
Child Support 
Spousal Support 
Division of Marital Property 
Jurisdiction 
The Divorce Process 
Determining Parentage
Child Abuse and Neglect 
Adoption 


Major Assignments Schedule  
WEEK 1: Chapter 1 Marriage and Cohabitation
WEEK 2: Chapter 2 Premarital and Post marital Agreements  (Key terms Quiz 1)
WEEK 3: Chapter 3 Domestic Violence (Review for Exam #1)
WEEK 4: (Exam #1 Chapters 1-3) Chapter 4 The Law of Divorce, Annulment and Legal Separation 
WEEK 5: Chapter 5 Child Custody
WEEK 6: Chapter 6 Child Support / (Key terms Quiz 2)
WEEK 7: Chapter 7 Spousal Support / (Review for Exam #2)
WEEK 8: (Exam #2 Chapters 4-7) / Chapter 8 Division of Marital Property 
WEEK 9: Chapter 9 Jurisdiction / Drafting Assignment 1
WEEK 10: Chapter 10 The Divorce Process  (Key terms Quiz 3)
WEEK 11: (Review for Exam #3) /  (Exam #3 Chapters 8-10)
WEEK 12: Chapter 11 Determining Parentage /  Chapter 12 Child Abuse and Neglect
WEEK 13   Chapter 13 Adoption 
WEEK 14  Drafting Assignment 2
WEEK 15: REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM
WEEK 16: FINAL EXAM will cover (Chapters 11-13) *FINAL WILL BE ONLINE*

DISCUSSIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS ON BLACKBOARD
There will be a written discussion board assignment each week from the topic of each chapter/week. Discussion posts are due every SUNDAY by 11:30 pm, no exceptions (unless Blackboard goes down). Your responses will be graded for accuracy, writing proficiency, and content. This is a way for us to do writing assignments for a grade while developing good writing and communication skills. You will receive more instruction for each discussion assignment as each one is posted. There will also be 2 drafting assignments. You will receive more instruction as each one is posted. 

TESTS & FINAL EXAM
Tests will generally cover 3 chapters throughout the semester, with a review prior to each exam. You will be given the dates the test will be open and when it will close at least one week prior so that you can plan accordingly. Quizzes will cover key terms and concepts from designated chapters. ALL TESTS AND QUIZZES WILL ON BLACKBOARD.
 

Final Exam Date May 7, 2024 - 11:0 AM   Through  May 7, 2024 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale 90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 =C
60-69 = D
59 or below= F
Determination of
Final Grade
Attendance - 10%
Exams - 30%
Assignments - 20%
Quizzes - 10%
Discussions on Blackboard - 30% 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies 1. Read Assigned Chapter(s) for the week.
2. Study Key Terms.
3. Work any assignments for that week in Blackboard Ultra.




Classroom:
If time does not allow the Chapter lecture to finish, it is the student's responsibility to finish the Chapter by reading the chapter, watching videos, etc.

Exams: 
All exams will be administered on testing day. If student fails to show up for the exam, student will receive a zero unless student has an excused absent. (example: Covid, sick, doctor's appointment, etc.)  Student is to make arrangements to make up the test. 

Exams will consist of multiple-choice and true or false questions.
All exams must be completed with-in the normal class period.  No talking during Exam or Final. Talking during exam, will result in test being taken up and student will be asked to leave the room.  Student grade will be a zero for the test.  No exceptions.

Make-up or Late Assignments and Quizzes: Will be at the discretion of the instructor. 


Books:
Every student must have a copy of the required textbook or E-book as soon as the bookstore has it available or 2nd week.

Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.

Instructor will put grades into Blackboard. Students should keep a record of their own grades and average. Instructors will not average grades for students.

I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person.

Dishonest/Cheating:
1.  Any student caught cheating or lending their work to another student, both students will receive a zero on the assignment.  There is a difference between helping or showing someone how to do the problem and someone giving their assignment to a student to copy. 
 2.  Any student caught cheating on a test or final, will receive a "F" for the course.  


It is student's responsibility to check their email and blackboard ultra for any updates to class schedules or class work. 

Blackboard Issues:
Any log in, passwords, or software problems needs to be resolved by the IT department.  Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting for IT problems that can't be solved by class work deadlines.

Pearson Issues: If you have issues with Pearson, student is to call Pearson Tech support.  Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting with Pearson issues. 


Cell Phones in Class:
All cell phones are to be placed on silent, not vibrate.  If you must take or make a call, please leave the classroom. NO texting is allowed in class.  
During exams, all cell phones are to be placed on silent and out of sight.  Any phone within view will be taken up and will be given back to student when student finishes their test. Second incident will result in a penalty of 10 points taken off of the test.  
Attendance Policy Attendance is worth 10% of your grade. 
Additional Information TimelyCare

FREE 24/7 Virtual Care For Students

Lamar State College Port Arthur students have FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare — the virtual health and well-being platform from TimelyCare, designed for college students. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. Download the app here. As part of Lamar State College Port Arthur’s partnership with TimelyCare, students have access to services in TimelyCare, including:

  • TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.
  • Scheduled Counseling: Choose the day, time, and mental health provider that best works for you. (9 visits per year)
  • Health Coaching: Develop healthy lifestyle behaviors, including nutrition, sleep habits, time management, and mindfulness.
  • Psychiatry: Appointments are available through referrals.
  • Self-Care Content: Visit the “Explore” page within TimelyCare for guided self-care content, including yoga and meditation sessions, as well as group conversations with our providers on a variety of health and well-being topics.
  • Basic Needs Support: Access to low or reduced-cost community resources, including food and housing assistance, transit support, childcare, and finances.
Students have access to TimelyCare services 365 days a year. That means you have access during breaks, after-hours, and any time you need support! Visit timelycare.com/LSCPA to get started.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern 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.
Department Information
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Sheila Guillot
Email:guillsr@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6381