OVERVIEW: This training is designed to be a basic introduction to family law pratice, specifically to prepare the participants to take on their first dissolution, work through the paperwork and hearing process, and orient to the practices of Alameda County (most are transferrable to other counties).

SCHEDULE: 6 sessions: held Wednesday and Thursday evenings for 3 weeks.

MCLE: 12 credits, including 1 ethics

PRESENTERS: Local Judicial Officers and highly experienced family law attorneys
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<br />TOPICS:
<br /> - OVERVIEW OF DISSOLUTION PROCESS AND GETTING STARTED: client interviews; overall case management; and big picture overview of family law practice (including Causes of Actions, initial pleadings and procedure).
<br /> - WORKING WITH LOW-INCOME CLIENTS AND DOMIESTC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS: basics of domestic violence; barriers and challenges facing low income clients; general attorney-client relationship - setting expectations, communication, etc.
<br /> - HEARINGS and DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS: pleadings; procedure; and hearing practice.
<br /> - CHILD and SPOUSAL SUPPORT, ATTORNEY'S FEES: pleadings; Department of Child Support Services (DCSS); hearing practice; and computer support program calculations.
<br /> - PROPERTY ISSUES: Characterization, Discovery, and Distribution: identifying, distributing and dividing community and separate assets and debts; credits/reimbursements; experts; Disclosures; and discovery.
<br /> - CHILDREN'S ISSUES/CUSTODY: procedural and substantive issues (best interest standard, FC§3044); pleadings; Court Process (Family Court Services, evaluations)
<br /> - GETTING IT DONE/JUDGMENTS: various paths to final Judgment (default, uncontested and contested trials); and preparing final Judgments