Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 12/10/02
LAS217 20036-20042	LEC	3 Credit(s)	3 Period(s)
Family Law
Legal analysis of marriage, dissolution of marriage, parental rights and duties; pleading and practice. Prerequisites: (LAS109 or TCA101) and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director).

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
LAS217   20036-20042	Family Law

1.	Explain the requirements for a valid marriage in the sate of Arizona. (I)
2.	Differentiate among the rights and reciprocal obligations of spouses and parents and children. (II)
3.	Explain the concept and applications of community property law in Arizona. (III)
4.	Describe the ethical problems that arise in domestic relations cases. (IV)
5.	Describe the different forms of contracts between spouses. (V)
6.	Interpret the complex term "jurisdiction." (VI)
7.	Describe and compare the different types of injunctive relief. (VI-IX)
8.	Compare no-fault divorce and its alternatives: legal separation and annulment. (IV-IX)
9.	Describe and explain the importance and many functions of conciliation court. (VIII, IX)
10.	Identify and explain the authority and procedure for child custody and child support matters. (VIII-XI)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
LAS217   20036-20042	Family Law

I. The Marriage A. What is a marriage? B. Who may marry? C. The marriage licence D. The marriage ceremony E. Form - Marriage licencse and Certificate F. Out-of-state marriages G. Common-law marriages H. Presumption of validity II. Marital Rights, Duties and Obligations A. Reciprocal rights and duties B. Domestic Violence C. Interspousal claims D. Parental rights E. Duties to children F. Control of separate property G. Management of community property H. Transactions requiring rejoinder I. Liability for separate obligations J. Liability for community obligations K. Rights upon death of a spouse III. Marital Acquisitions A. Ownership of property during marrage B. The community property concept C. Requirements for community property D. Change of domicile E. Quasi-community property F. Separate property G. Gifts H. Professional assets I. Tort claims for personal injuries J. Disability benefits K. Community acquisitions L. Rebutting the community property presumption M. Jointly held property N. Joint tenancy O. Joint bank accounts P. Rents, issues, and profits Q. Earnings R. Mixed income S. Capital contributions T. Commingling U. Life insurance problems V. The insurance code W. Retirement benefits X. Federal retirement benefits Y. Military retirement Z. Social security IV. Role of the Attorney A. Ethical considerations B. Taking the case C. Retainer and the fee D. The client interview E. Attorney's checklist F. Withdrawl from the case G. Reconcilliation H. Negotiation V. Marital and Separation Agreements A. Types of agreements B. Antenuptial arrangements C. Form - Antenuptial Agreements D. Interspousal gifts and transfers E. Divisions of marital property F. Separation agreements G. Contents of the agreement H. Drafting the agreement I. Form - Separation Agreement J. Merger into the decree K. Enforcement and avoidance for fraud L. Effect of reconciliation VI. Jurisdiction A. Jurisdictional concepts B. Venue distinguised C. Domicile of the parties D. Meaning of domicile E. Wife's separate residence F. In personam jurisdiction G. Objections to jurisdiction VII. Forms of Action A. Choice of remedies B. Dissolution of marriage C. Annulment D. Grounds for annulment E. Form - Petition for Annulment F. Legal separation G. Form - Petition for Legal Separation VIII. Petition for Dissolution A. Checklist of available relief B. Drafting the petition C. Allegations of jurisdiction D. Allegations of marriage, issue, and property E. Allegations of irretrievable breakdown F. Allegations of custody and support G. Other allegations H. Form - Petition for Dissolution (no children) I. Form - Petition for Dissolution (when there are children) J. Venue for dissolution actions K. Filing the action L. Form - Affidvit Regarding Minor Children (Pima County) M. Form - Maricopa County Caption IX. The Response A. Respondent's options B. Time for response C. Attorney's authority D. Form - Proof of Attorney's Authority E. Motions F. Rule 12 (b)defenses G. Form - Motion to Dismiss H. Form - Motion to Quash I. Form - Notice of Hearing J. The responsive pleading K. Respondent's checklist L. Form - Response X. Award of Custody A. Authority to award custody B. Foreign custody order C. The custody hearing D. Person entited to custody E. Custodial arrangements F. Basis of awarding custody G. Visitation rights H. Form - Order to Parents I. Violation of the custody order J. Mediation of custody disputes K. Modification of custody L. Form - Petion for Modification (or Change) of Custody M. Form - Order to Show Cause (Custody Modification) N. Form _ A.R.S. Sec. 8-409 Affidavit O. Attorney's fees in custody modification XI. Support and Maintenance A. Duty to support children B. Authority to order child support C. Children entitled to support D. Basis of awarding child support E. Federally mandated support guidelines F. Termination of child support payments G. Spousal maintenance H. The award of spousal maintenance I. Maricopa guidelines for spusal maintenance J. Termination of maintenance K. Collection of child support L. Wage assignments M. Modification of child support N. Modification of maintenance O. Form - Petition for Modification of Payments P. Attorney's fees in support and mainenance preceedings

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