Moritz Law

Curricular Offerings

Curricular Offerings

Family Law

ClassroomThis three-hour survey course focuses on the relationships between intimates, parents, and their children. By exploring the constitutional and jurisprudential issues raised by marriage, divorce, familial, and sexual privacy, Family Law permits a deeper exploration of the moral and emotional issues embedded in the law.

Among the topics covered by the course are courtship and premarital contracting, the requisites of marriage, annulment and separation, challenges to the traditional model of marriage, the grounds for and defenses to divorce, child custody, support and visitation, the economic consequences of divorce, and adoption.

In any given year, the course may emphasize different aspects of the law governing families and intimates. For example, a greater emphasis may be placed on issues affecting children, the effects of poverty on familial arrangements, or nontraditional intimate relationships.

Students interested in other areas of the law, including Business Associations, Estate Planning or Bankruptcy, will find this course connected to their interests. Other offerings in this area include Children and the Law, Elder Law, and the Justice for Children Practicum.

The course is open to all second- and third-year students enrolled at the Moritz College of Law and to graduate students at The Ohio State University. Students seeking the Certificate in Children Studies must take Family Law.

The Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) will provide a $1000 cash award to the student with the highest grade in Family Law. That student's name also will appear on a plaque prominently displayed at the Moritz College of Law.

In 2001-2002, Bethany R. Thomas, Class of 2002, was named Family Law Student of the Year and was honored at the annual meeting of the Ohio chapter of the AAML. Sarah Biehl, Class of 2003, received the award for 2002-2003 at a special honors award ceremony at the Moritz College of Law. Kenneth Rubin, Class of 2004 received the award for 2003-2004.