PLAW-208: Family Law

This online paralegal course in family law covers marriage, divorce, custody, adoption, and spousal support. Students will gain practical skills in preparing family law documents, analyzing custody and support issues, and supporting attorneys in cases involving sensitive family matters.

Course Description

PLAW-208: Family Law is an online paralegal course that introduces students to the substantive and practical aspects of family law. Using Family Law by William P. Statsky, this course examines legal issues related to marriage, divorce, annulment, child custody, child support, adoption, and parental rights. Students will also explore ethical challenges unique to family law, where cases often involve sensitive client circumstances and emotionally charged disputes.

Emphasis is placed on practical skills, including compiling family histories, drafting agreements, preparing custody and support documents, and understanding the tax consequences of divorce. Additional topics include the legal status of children, paternity, the rights of women and parents, and emerging issues such as the role of science and torts in family law.

By combining theoretical principles with applied practice, students will gain the ability to analyze family law cases, prepare essential documents, and provide meaningful support to attorneys and clients. This paralegal course equips learners with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in family law practices, legal aid, and law offices handling domestic relations.

Textbook: Family Law by William P. Statsky | 7th Edition | Copyright 2021

Course Objectives

Explain the legal framework governing marriage, divorce, custody, and adoption.

Identify ethical issues that arise in family law practice and apply professional standards.

Prepare and analyze documents such as separation agreements, custody arrangements, and financial interrogatories.

Evaluate the legal rights of women, children, and parents in family law disputes.

Apply knowledge of tax consequences, paternity, and parental status to case scenarios.

Demonstrate an understanding of how science, torts, and modern legal trends impact family law.

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Course Contents

Introduction to Family Law and Practice

Ethics in a Family Law Practice

Compiling a Family History

Premarital, Postnuptial, and Cohabitation Agreements

Marriage

Annulment

Divorce Grounds and Procedure

Spousal Support, Property Division, and the Separation Agreement

Child Custody

Child Support

Tax Consequences of Separation and Divorce

Legal Rights of Women

Illegitimacy and Paternity

The Legal Status of Children

Adoption

The New Science of Motherhood

Torts and Family Law

Single Course or Program Option

This course may be purchased individually or as part of the certificate programs listed below.

Master Paralegal
Senior Paralegal
National Paralegal
Paralegal Concentration

Recommended Prerequisites

Accreditation You Can Trust

Washington Technical Institute is fully accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)—a regional accrediting agency recognized for setting high standards in education. This accreditation affirms that our programs, operations, and outcomes meet rigorous academic and institutional benchmarks. MSA-CESS accreditation is a mark of quality that ensures our students receive an education that is both credible and respected. It also means WTI is committed to continuous improvement, student success, and accountability at every level.