NOTE TO STUDENTS: check my website and download the class notes from there.
www.nvcc.edu/home/wshannon
INTRODUCTION
Studies elements of a valid marriage, grounds for divorce and annulment, separation, defenses, custody, support, adoptions and applicable tax consequences. Focuses on separation and pre-nuptual agreements, pleadings and rules of procedure.
OBJECTIVES
1. The student will have a basic understanding of the elements of a valid marrige and the requisite procedures involved therein.
2. The student will have a basic understanding of the grounds for annulment and divorce, as well as the obligations relating to support of the spouse and children.
3. The student will have a basic understanding of separation and property settlement agreements, their enforceability and ramifications.
4. The student will have a basic understanding of adoption and the rights of the spouse and the children by virtue of the marital relationship.
APPLICABLE TEXTBOOK
There is no textbook for this class. Download the subject notes from my website.
BASIC CONCEPTS TO BE TAUGHT IN COURSE
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the marriage relationship, the dissolution of marriage and the rights of the parties and those affected by the marriage relationship.
COURSE CONTENT
Class #1: General introduction
Class #2: The marital relationship, ethics, historical perspective
Class #3: Annulments
Class #4: Divorce
Class #5: Divorce A Mensa et thoro; Defenses to divorce; QUIZ #1
Class #6: Prenuptual agreements; separation agreements
Class #7: Marriage and the criminal law
Class #8: Property division
Class #9: Spousal support
Class #10: MID-TERM EXAMINATION
Class #11: Child support
Class #12: Child custody
Class #13: Agency adoptions (Virginia); QUIZ #2
Class #14: Termination of parental rights; Virginia juvenile court system
Class #15: Review
Class #16: FINAL EXAMINATION
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. The student must attend at least 13 of the 16 regular class sessions.
2. The student must take the quizzes and examinations.
3. The student must read a case for class discussion.
QUIZZES AND GRADING
Each quiz will count 15% of the final grade. The mid-term and final examinations will each count 30% of the final grade.
The case presentation will account for 10% of the final grade.
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: Below 60
If a student misses either quiz or the mid-term examination, the value of the final examination will be adjusted accordingly. There will be no make-ups quizzes or mid-term exam.A student who is more that 15 minutes late for class when a quiz or the mid-term is given, will not be able to take that quiz or exam.