ADMISSIONS

ADMISSIONS

High School Diploma or GED/High School Equivalent

Completion time

completion time

The average student completes in 3-6 months

Continuing Education

Continuing Education

20 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Hours Towards Recertification

ACCREDIATIONS

ACCREDIATIONS

Regionally – Middle States (MSA)
Nationally – Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

ADVANCED PARALEGAL – FAMILY LAW CERTIFICATE COURSE

Blackstone’s Family Law advanced paralegal course uses historical overviews, examples taken from actual cases, as well as recent Supreme Court Cases to describe the principles and practice of family law. The accompanying e-textbook, Family Law for Paralegals presents how to assist attorneys as they draft premarital agreements, help clients start or end their marriages, set up mutually agreeable child custody arrangements, clarify paternity, adopt a child, and more. Family Law also includes comprehensive coverage of traditional family law topics, explores the developing law concerning nontraditional families and gay and lesbian parents’ rights, describes technological innovations such as virtual visitation, and presents other high-profile topics currently under debate.

If you work in family law, chances are you will work for a small law firm, although some larger firms will dabble in family law for individuals with a high net worth. You may also work in the public sector, such as through the public defender’s office, where you will assist attorneys in dealing with cases involving juvenile delinquency, child abuse, or child welfare.

ADVANCED PARALEGAL – FAMILY LAW CERTIFICATE COURSE

Blackstone’s Family Law advanced paralegal course uses historical overviews, examples taken from actual cases, as well as recent Supreme Court Cases to describe the principles and practice of family law. The accompanying e-textbook, Family Law for Paralegals presents how to assist attorneys as they draft premarital agreements, help clients start or end their marriages, set up mutually agreeable child custody arrangements, clarify paternity, adopt a child, and more. Family Law also includes comprehensive coverage of traditional family law topics, explores the developing law concerning nontraditional families and gay and lesbian parents’ rights, describes technological innovations such as virtual visitation, and presents other high-profile topics currently under debate.

If you work in family law, chances are you will work for a small law firm, although some larger firms will dabble in family law for individuals with a high net worth. You may also work in the public sector, such as through the public defender’s office, where you will assist attorneys in dealing with cases involving juvenile delinquency, child abuse, or child welfare.

Course Objectives

  • Paralegal’s role in a family law firm
  • How to help draft a premarital agreement
  • How to help draft a cohabitation agreement
  • What legal issues come up prior to marriage
  • The different types of marriages
  • The issue of same-sex marriage
  • The grounds for an annulment
  • Conflict of law issues related to annulments
  • Consequences of an annulment decree
  • Co-fault grounds for divorce
  • Fault grounds for divorce
  • How a judicial separation works
  • Jurisdictional issues involved in divorces
  • Pre-trial and trial matters in a divorce case
  • Alternative dispute resolution
  • Enforcement of divorce judgments
  • How to help draft a separation agreement
  • How alimony is determined
  • How property division is determined
  • How separation agreements are modified
  • How child custody and visitation rights are determined
  • What to expect from a parent v. parent custody case
  • What to expect from other types of custody cases
  • The laws prohibiting child snatching
  • How child support is determined
  • How child support is enforced
  • The tax consequences of separation and divorce
  • The legal rights of women, including employment rights and reproductive rights
  • Illegitimacy rights
  • How to help with a paternity proceeding
  • The legal status of children, especially those who have been abused or neglected
  • The different kinds of adoption
  • How to help with an adoption procedure
  • The new science of motherhood, including frozen embryos
  • The surrogate controversy
  • Intrafamily torts
  • Vicarious liability

MAINTAIN YOUR CERTIFICATION

Interested in advancing your knowledge in a specific area of law? Blackstone’s Advanced Paralegal Courses are designed for both professional development and to meet the continuing legal education (CLE) needs of practicing paralegals.

If you are a Certified Paralegal (CP) through NALA, the National Association of Legal Assistants, each advanced course is worth 20 hours toward the 50 hours of Continuing Legal Education needed for paralegal recertification. Each advanced paralegal course has been reviewed by NALS… the association of legal professionals and can be applied to the five-year PLS and PP recertification.

KEEP ADVANCING

  • Sharpen your paralegal resume with advanced industry-related knowledge in a legal specialty.
  • Advancing your knowledge on specific areas of the law shows a commitment to continued growth and life-long learning.
  • Continuing your education in a specialized legal area, increases job opportunities
  • The more education you gain, the more you qualify for advancement which in turn leads to increased pay.
  • Additional credentials show initiative and may contribute to your resume standing out to potential law firms.

Use of the NALA logo indicates membership in NALA and does not indicate an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of any school, education program, or training related to the qualifications for any testing or certifications provided by NALA.

Course Objectives

  • Paralegal’s role in a family law firm
  • How to help draft a premarital agreement
  • How to help draft a cohabitation agreement
  • What legal issues come up prior to marriage
  • The different types of marriages
  • The issue of same-sex marriage
  • The grounds for an annulment
  • Conflict of law issues related to annulments
  • Consequences of an annulment decree
  • Co-fault grounds for divorce
  • Fault grounds for divorce
  • How a judicial separation works
  • Jurisdictional issues involved in divorces
  • Pre-trial and trial matters in a divorce case
  • Alternative dispute resolution
  • Enforcement of divorce judgments
  • How to help draft a separation agreement
  • How alimony is determined
  • How property division is determined
  • How separation agreements are modified
  • How child custody and visitation rights are determined
  • What to expect from a parent v. parent custody case
  • What to expect from other types of custody cases
  • The laws prohibiting child snatching
  • How child support is determined
  • How child support is enforced
  • The tax consequences of separation and divorce
  • The legal rights of women, including employment rights and reproductive rights
  • Illegitimacy rights
  • How to help with a paternity proceeding
  • The legal status of children, especially those who have been abused or neglected
  • The different kinds of adoption
  • How to help with an adoption procedure
  • The new science of motherhood, including frozen embryos
  • The surrogate controversy
  • Intrafamily torts
  • Vicarious liability

MAINTAIN YOUR CERTIFICATION

Interested in advancing your knowledge in a specific area of law? Blackstone’s Advanced Paralegal Courses are designed for both professional development and to meet the continuing legal education (CLE) needs of practicing paralegals.

If you are a Certified Paralegal (CP) through NALA, the National Association of Legal Assistants, each advanced course is worth 20 hours toward the 50 hours of Continuing Legal Education needed for paralegal recertification. Each advanced paralegal course has been reviewed by NALS… the association of legal professionals and can be applied to the five-year PLS and PP recertification.

KEEP ADVANCING

  • Sharpen your paralegal resume with advanced industry-related knowledge in a legal specialty.
  • Advancing your knowledge on specific areas of the law shows a commitment to continued growth and life-long learning.
  • Continuing your education in a specialized legal area, increases job opportunities
  • The more education you gain, the more you qualify for advancement which in turn leads to increased pay.
  • Additional credentials show initiative and may contribute to your resume standing out to potential law firms.

Use of the NALA logo indicates membership in NALA and does not indicate an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of any school, education program, or training related to the qualifications for any testing or certifications provided by NALA.

COURSE MATERIALS INCLUDED

Family Law for Paralegals

by J. Shoshanna Ehlrich, 9th Edition

Blackstone’s Advanced Paralegal Courses include all materials needed: a commercial e-textbook and an accompanying study guide. Your e-book is delivered via VitalSource, one of the most popular and user-friendly e-textbook platforms for higher education. Blackstone’s Online Student Center allows you to easily access your coursework, take exams and receive instantaneous Grade Reports, chat real-time, participate in online discussions, and receive news about Blackstone.

UPSKILL YOUR PARALEGAL CAREER – REQUEST INFO TODAY!

BCI is committed to providing quality, relevant, and affordable distance education programs that focus on the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level careers, professional development or personal goals.

Why choose blackstone? Accredited programs, leads to certification and payment plan options to start your futurev

SELECT THE PAYMENT OPTION THAT WORKS FOR YOU

FULL PAYMENT

$ 455 One time payment
  • Fastest completion time
  • Total $455

PAYMENT PLAN I

$ 59 Month
  • Most popular plan
  • $160 downpayment, 5 monthly payments of $59, Total $455
  • BCI Payment Plans Our all-inclusive online certificate programs offer payment plans with no interest
  • Pay using your credit or debit card! We accept Visa, Discover, Master Card and American Express cards.
  • Refund Policy At Blackstone, our student service team focuses on student satisfaction. However, if you choose not to continue your studies we offer a refund policy. Cancellations within the first 5 days of enrollment receive a full refund. After the first 5 days your refund amount is based on tuition collected, lessons completed and enrollment date. Learn more about our refund policy.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

At Blackstone, we want to see you achieve your education and career goals. We firmly believe that continuing education provides the opportunity to improve your lifestyle by increasing your skill set, marketability, chances for promotion, an increase in salary, and in some cases a career transition.  In order to receive the high quality education you deserve, here are some options to assist you in choosing how to pay for your Advanced Paralegal Course:

  • State and Local Assistance Blackstone Career Institute is currently an eligible training provider in many states supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and an approved vendor with Vocational Rehabilitation in most states. Check with your local Workforce Service or Vocational Rehabilitation office to determine if you qualify for assistance through one of their programs.
  • Employer Tuition Reimbursement Blackstone is both nationally and regionally accredited which means we qualify for most corporation education reimbursement programs. Check with your company human resources department for information about their tuition reimbursement benefits.
  • Military Benefits We’re proud to be on a list of military friendly schools. If you qualify for Military Benefits, please click here to learn more.
"So I then started to look at increasing my chances of landing a job as a Real Estate Paralegal, and found I could study Real Estate Law from Blackstone Career Institute, and receive a certification! After finishing the course, I just landed a new job at a law firm, and starting next week! Blackstone Career Institute was super user friendly, and were always available when I called. The online user center was easy to navigate, and they provided all the tools I needed to finish the course in 2 months! I was able to go at my own pace which I loved."
James W.
BCI Graduate

FAQS

Yes, these certificate courses have been designed for the purpose of professional growth, personal enrichment and continuing education. If you are a Certified Paralegal (CP) through NALA, the National Association of Legal Assistants, each advanced course is worth 20 hours toward the 50 hours of Continuing Legal Education needed for paralegal recertification.
You can choose to pay the $455 tuition in full or; We offer a payment plan with a 100% approval rate for our advanced paralegal courses—you will pay a $160.00 down payment & 5 monthly payments of $59.00.
Yes, the advanced paralegal courses use e-books for convenience of studying on the go and to allow us to keep tuition costs down. Students who wish to purchase a physical copy of the e-book can simply use the ISBN number provided on our website to purchase the book through a third party like amazon or chegg.com.
Students can enroll anytime from our website by clicking here or calling our student service center Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST at 800.826.9228. Blackstone has open-enrollment, so students can enroll in our online programs anytime, 24/7/365.

Blackstone does not offer traditional financial aid. Please view our no interest payment plan options here

Students who pay in full for their program will have access to all of their materials once enrolled. Students who enroll under a monthly payment plan will have access to a new unit every month upon making their monthly payment.
Yes. Blackstone Career Institute is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), and regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. Accreditation assures the public that our curriculum, faculty, administrative procedures and polices meet the accrediting agencies’ exceptionally high standards. To better understand the value of accreditation, read this document published by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).