2008 3rd ANNUAL FAMILY LAW SERIES - THE BASICS 6 sessions: 5:30 – 8:00 pm Wed. Oct. 15th Thurs. Oct. 16th Wed. Oct. 22nd Thurs. Oct. 23rd Wed. Oct. 29th & Thurs. Oct. 30th This training is for new or transitioning attorneys interested in serving their community and learning the basics of family law practice from experts in the field. Trainers are members of Alameda County Superior Court Family Law Bench and highly experienced Family Law practitioners. Training topics include: Family Law Overview and Getting Started- client interviews; overall case management; and big picture overview of family law practice (including Causes of Actions, Pleadings and Procedure). Hearings and Domestic Violence Restraining Orders – pleadings; procedure; and hearing practice. Child and Spousal Support, Attorney’s Fees –pleadings; Department of Child Support Services; hearing practice; and computer support program calculations. Property Issues: Characterization, Discovery, and Distribution- identifying, distributing and dividing community and separate assets and debts; credits/reimbursements; experts; Disclosures; and discovery. Children’s Issues/Custody- procedural and substantive issues (best interest standard, FC§3044); pleadings; Court Process (Family Court Services, evaluations); and other players (therapists, minor’s counsel, special masters, evaluators). Client Relations – expectations of clients and attorneys; barriers and challenges facing low income clients Trials – Trial Setting Order and Practice Getting it done/Judgments: Default and Uncontested Judgments, Trials.