New York Domestic Relations Law

Students investigate the full range of issues affecting the family, focusing on the New York law of marriage, divorce, custody, abuse and neglect, and family offense proceedings. Examining core doctrinal concepts encountered by practitioners representing clients with family law problems, the class includes the study of how these issues are framed and resolved in the context of the New York State court system and the social and political context in which these laws operate. Students test and deepen their understanding through drafting petitions and other court papers. The focus on emerging doctrine and issues, as well as lawyering skills and ethical considerations, helps prepare students for practice in this challenging area.