Domestic Relations
DOMR200 — Domestic Relations, 3.0 hours
This course is designed for the student who is interested in working in the area of family law. The student will learn the legal principles and processes involved in the law of marriage, divorce, separation, support, custody and visitation, annulment, and adoption. Common agreements, pleadings, and other documents applicable to these topics are set forth. Also covered are the tax consequences of separation and divorce.
Program Objectives
- Understand the composition of a family law office and the paralegal’s role in the office.
- Review and analyze premarital and cohabitation agreements.
- Illustrate your knowledge of marriage and alternatives to marriage.
- Examine the differences between divorce, dissolution, and annulment and the grounds for these actions.
- Identify pertinent law in relation to awarding alimony/spousal support.
- Describe child support and child custody law.
- Recognize the tax consequences of divorce.
- Discuss the unique legal problems faced by women and children.
- Explain parental rights, including the rights of adoptive parents.
- Evaluate the advances in reproductive science.
- Analyze the tort claims that can be raised, including parental liability for a child’s tort.
Professor
Julie Beadle graduated from the University of Akron School of Law summa cum laude and has been employed with the Eleventh District Court of Appeals in Trumbull County as a judicial attorney for seven years. She enjoys performing research on a variety of difficult legal problems. Julie Beadle has also taught online paralegal courses in many subjects and finds the experience of interacting with upcoming paralegals to be very rewarding. As a life-long resident of Ohio, she likes to watch all Cleveland sports teams and attend Cleveland Indians games. She also spends time caring for her cats, all of which have been rescued.
Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation
All members of the Lakewood University community who use the University’s computing, information or communication resources must act responsibly. Support is accessible by calling 1-800-517-0857 option 2 or by emailing info@lakewood.edu
Books and Resources
Statsky, William P. Family Law. 7th edition. Cengage Learning US, 2020.
Evaluation Method
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary
- Assignments - Total of 40 Points
- Weekly discussion forums-Total of 80 Points
- Midterm Essay - 20 points
- Final Exam - 50 Points
Grading Scale
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance as given above in evaluation methods. The maximum number of points a student may earn is 190. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 190.
Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
A = (90% -100%)
B = (80% - 89%)
C = (70% - 79%)
D = (60% - 69%)
F < (Below 60%)
Assignment and Discussion Forum Post Rubrics
Writing Assignment Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent |
Good |
Poor |
Very Poor |
No Response |
|
Original Posting ____/10 |
Writing assignment was well thought out, coherent, and thoughtfully organized with all parts of the questions addressed along with appropriate grammar and spelling |
Writing was clear and relatively well organized and responded to many/most of the key points with a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Writing was somewhat confusing and not well organized and had little or no focus on the subject matter with significant grammar and spelling errors |
Writing is confusing and hard to follow with no organization while missing the point of the assignment entirely |
No Assignment |
|
Total Points ____/10 |
Additional Comments: |
Discussion Question Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent Pass |
Good Pass |
Poor Fail |
No Response Fail |
|
Original Posting PASS/FAIL |
Original post reflected good focus to the discussion with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Original post responded to the topic in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Responded with little or no focus to the discussion and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Reply to fellow student PASS/FAIL |
Response to fellow student reflected good focus to the post with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Response to fellow student in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Little or no focus to the post and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Total Points PASS/FAIL |
Additional Comments: |
Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism
Cheating (dishonestly taking the knowledge of another person whether on a test or an assignment and presenting it as your work) and plagiarism (to take and pass off as one's own the ideas or writing of another) are a serious issue. While it is legitimate to talk to others about your assignments and incorporate suggestions, do not let others "write" your assignments in the name of peer review or "borrow" sections or whole assignments written by others. We do get ideas from life experiences and what we read but be careful that you interpret these ideas and make them your own.
I am aware that many types of assignments are available on the internet and will check these sources when there is legitimate suspicion.
Penalty is a zero on the assignment. In cases where there is a major or continuous breach of trust, further discipline, such as an "F" in the course, may be necessary.
The major consequence of any form of cheating is damage to your character and the result of trust and respect.
Disability Accommodations
Students who have a disability and wish to request an academic accommodation should contact Jim Gepperth, the Disabilities Services Coordinator and Academic Dean. The student can request an accommodation at any time although it is encouraged to do so early in the enrollment process. The student should complete an accommodation request form which begins a conversation between the school and the student regarding the nature of their disability and an accommodation that would help the student succeed in their program. The school may request documentation regarding the disability to address the accommodation request effectively. The school will communicate to the student the type of accommodation arranged. This process typically follows a team approach, bringing together persons from the academic department (including the instructor) and personnel from other departments as necessary. Additional information on disability accommodations may be found in the Lakewood University Catalog.
Disability Services Email: disabilityservices@lakewood.edu
Supplemental Texts
You can use the following resources to assist you with proper source citation.
American Psychological Association Style Guide- https://www.mylakewoodu.com/pluginfile.php/118179/mod_resource/content/1/APA%20Style%20Guide%207th%20edition.pdf
The Purdue OWL website is also a helpful resource for students. Here is a link to the OWL website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
Library
Mary O'Dell is the Librarian on staff at Lakewood University
She is available by appointment. You can make an appointment with her by emailing her at modell@lakewood.edu or call at 1-800-517-0857 X 730
You may also schedule a meeting at this link: https://my.setmore.com/calendar#monthly/r3a761583354923270/01032020
She can assist you with navigating LIRN, research, citations etc.
Support
Each student at Lakewood University is assigned a Success Coach. Your Success Coach exists to assist you with academic and supportive services as you navigate your program. They will reach out to you, often, to check-in. Please use the resources they offer.
Student Services is available to assist with technical questions regarding Lakewood University and all services available to you.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
info@lakewood.edu
studentservices@lakewood.edu
Career Services
Students are offered Career Services at any point as they journey their academics at Lakewood University.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
careerservices@lakewood.edu
Objectives
- Understand the composition of a family law office and the paralegal’s role in the office.
- Review and analyze premarital and cohabitation agreements.
- Illustrate your knowledge of marriage and alternatives to marriage.
- Examine the differences between divorce, dissolution, and annulment and the grounds for these actions.
- Identify pertinent law in relation to awarding alimony/spousal support.
- Describe child support and child custody law.
- Recognize the tax consequences of divorce.
- Discuss the unique legal problems faced by women and children.
- Explain parental rights, including the rights of adoptive parents.
- Evaluate the advances in reproductive science.
- Analyze the tort claims that can be raised, including parental liability for a child’s tort.
Lessons
- Introduction to Family Law and Practice
- Premarital, Postnuptial, and Cohabitation Agreements
Study Course Syllabus
Read Chapters 1 & 2
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 1
- Traditonal Marriage and Alternatives
- Annulment
Read Chapters 3 & 4
Review PowerPoints
Participate in 2 Discussion Forum
- Divorce Grounds and Procedure
- Spousal Support, Property Division, and the Separation Agreement
Read Chapters 5 & 6
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 2
- Child Custody
- Child Support
Read Chapters 7 & 8
Review PowerPoints
Complete Midterm Writing Assignment
- Tax Consequences of Separation and Divorce
- The Legal Rights of Women
Read Chapters 9 & 10
Review PowerPoints
Participate in 2 Discussion Forum
- Illegitimacy and Paternity
- The Legal Status of Children
- Adoption
Read Chapters 11, 12, 13
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 3
- The New Science of Motherhood
- Torts and Family Law
Read Chapters 14 & 15
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 4
Review the PowerPoint
Complete the Final Exam
Request the Next Course
Course Evaluation
THANKS FOR A GREAT CLASS