Family Law

Examines the legal rules governing family relationships and the policies and principles underlying them. Focuses on the following topics: who can marry; the rights, duties, and obligations of marriage; the state's interest in marriage; the dissolution of marriage; property distribution upon dissolution; the arrangements between divorced parents regarding the custody, support and visitation of children; and various jurisdictional issues relating to marriage, divorce, and custody. A central inquiry of the course will explore what a `family` is, and how the definition of `family` varies according to context, reflecting social values and policy goals. Also pays special attention to policy-based and theoretical questions about families, including how race, gender, and class affect the law's regulation of families, as well as the regulation of nontraditional families. Course materials will cut across multiple legal disciplines, such as constitutional law, criminal law, and contracts.