vcc.ca
OADM 1250: Family Law for Legal Administrative Assistants
Effective date
September 2025
Department
Legal Administrative Assistant
School
Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
Description
This course covers federal and provincial family legislation, family law agreements, uncontested divorce proceedings, joint divorce proceedings and contested divorce proceedings. Students prepare documents acceptable for filing with the Divorce Registry of the British Columbia Supreme Court. Assignments include preparation of legal correspondence and documents, vocabulary, and transcription. Student build upon skills learned in Legal Office Procedures and Litigation courses.
Credits
3.5
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
OADM 1190.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Communicate effectively, using the language, theory and precedents appropriate to family law
- Identify the provincial and federal statutes that apply to family law
- Analyze and solve family law issues independently and collaboratively
- Create accurate correspondence and documents for proceedings under the various federal and provincial statutes relating to marriage, adoption, divorce, and separation
- Use annotated precedents to complete documents acceptable for filing in the British Columbia Supreme Court
- Use a task management system to prioritize and manage tasks
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 25
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 45
Total Hours: 70
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 45
Total Hours: 70
Instructional Strategies
This course emphasizes practical skills training, including keyboarding. Students will work individually and in groups in a computer lab. Theory is presented in lectures, videos, and demonstrations. Both practical and theoretical knowledge may be supported with field trips to Law Courts and and guest presenters including litigators, judges and court registry managers.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C+
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
15 |
Communication assignments |
|
Other |
25 |
Simulations |
|
Other |
5 |
Timed Typing tests |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
30 |
Theory quizzes |
|
Final Exam |
25 |
Practical examination |
Course topics
- Introduction to Family law
- Marriage and marriage related agreement
- Ending a marriage or common law relationship
- Provincial Court proceedings
- Divorce proceedings: Divorce Act requirements, joint divorce, undefended divorce, interlocutory proceedings, defended divorce, conferences and applications
- Indigenous families
- Parenting after separation
- Spousal Support
- Division of Property
- Interim applications
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.