This course focuses on major concepts in Tennessee divorce and family law. Topics include antenuptial agreements, annulment, child custody, child support, and enforcement, contempt, domestic abuse, grounds for and defenses to divorce, jurisdiction and procedure, parental relocation, and spousal support. Domestic Relations provides an introduction to practically every aspect of Tennessee family law. This course focuses on the various categories of family law that a domestic relations practitioner may face in their practice. Emphasis will be given to relevant statutory enactments, the policy behind the enactments, major cases interpreting the application of statutes, cases establishing the common law areas of family law and the practical application of statutory law and case law for the domestic relations practitioner. The major topics of discussion will include: grounds for divorce, division of property, alimony, antenuptial agreements, domestic abuse, custody and child support, relocation and contempt.
The main goal of this course is to provide a basic understanding of family law. Students will be instructed not only on the basic concepts of family law but also on the interplay of other areas of law such as contract, criminal and constitutional law and how these areas affect family law cases.