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Helping Families Avoid Negative Court Involvement Teach-Out

Chlece Walker-Neal-Murray, JD, MSW, MS and Shannon Frattaroli, PhD, MPH

Chlece Walker-Neal-Murray, JD, MSW, MS and Shannon Frattaroli, PhD, MPH

This course will teach learners how to understand when issues can become legal issues, encourage learners to recognize legal problems early, identify possible “legal soft spots” in their own situations, and act when issues are identified to avoid them escalating. This course will also teach and encourage learners to think preventatively and provide some tools to use with an eye toward preventing future legal issues. Finally, this Teach-out seeks to expand the idea of legal health checks to a community level by encouraging learners to take on the task of informing others of legal soft spots and prevention tools to prevent and mitigate future legal problems.

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This course will teach learners how to understand when issues can become legal issues, encourage learners to recognize legal problems early, identify possible “legal soft spots” in their own situations, and act when issues are identified to avoid them escalating. This course will also teach and encourage learners to think preventatively and provide some tools to use with an eye toward preventing future legal issues. Finally, this Teach-out seeks to expand the idea of legal health checks to a community level by encouraging learners to take on the task of informing others of legal soft spots and prevention tools to prevent and mitigate future legal problems.

This Teach-out is for anyone in a romantic relationship, co-parenting or parenting relationship, or people who work with families and young and emerging adults. Examples of professionals who may benefit from this course include: teachers, pastors and other church leaders, community organizers, social workers, doctors, nurses, and hairdressers.

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What's inside

Syllabus

What is Preventative Law?

This module lays the groundwork for preventive law. You will learn the history of preventive law, what it means, and how it can be applied in the family law context. This module also explains how the Domestic Relations Court system works in the State of Illinois, USA.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners how to identify legal soft spots and prevent legal issues which could make this course highly relevant to human resources professionals, social workers, mediators, ombudspeople, family lawyers, and judges

Teaches learners how to anticipate and plan for legal issues, which is useful in any business or organization

Designed for anyone in a romantic relationship, co-parenting or parenting relationship, or people who work with families and young and emerging adults so could fit well into a paralegal or human resources training program

Taught by two experienced instructors who are recognized for their work in the field of family law

Offers both theoretical and practical knowledge

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Reviews summary

Practical preventative law for families

According to students, this course offers a highly practical introduction to preventative law, especially valuable for families and professionals working with them. Learners frequently praise its ability to help them recognize potential legal issues early and provide actionable strategies to avoid court involvement. The content is well-structured and the instructors demystify complex legal topics, making them easy to understand. While generally well-received, some learners noted the specific examples tied to the Illinois court system, which might be a point of context rather than universal applicability for those in other jurisdictions.

Serves as a good starting point, though some seek more in-depth strategies.

"Good high-level overview. The preventative approach is refreshing."

"It's fine as a very basic overview, but don't expect comprehensive legal advice."

"I found some of the content a bit too generalized... Still, it's a good starting point."

Highly relevant for both professionals and individuals.

"As a social worker, this course provided invaluable insights for my clients."

"This course is a must-take for anyone working with families."

"As a parent, I never considered legal health in this way... The course made me realize many things I can do to protect my family."

Explains complex legal ideas simply for non-lawyers.

"The instructors from Johns Hopkins did a wonderful job of demystifying complex legal topics."

"The content is presented clearly, making it accessible to those without a legal background."

"It clarified how the court system works in a way that wasn't overwhelming for me."

Provides actionable tools to prevent legal issues.

"This course provided such clarity on how to approach potential legal issues proactively within families."

"As a social worker, I found the practical tools for identifying 'legal soft spots' extremely useful for my clients."

"It really helps to think preventatively about potential legal problems and act to protect my family."

Employs Illinois law as a key operational example, which may limit direct applicability for some.

"My only minor critique is that the Illinois-specific legal details were less relevant to me..."

"The focus on Illinois law is too narrow for a general audience. It's fine as a very basic overview."

"While the Illinois examples were detailed, I wished for broader US or general legal context to apply."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Helping Families Avoid Negative Court Involvement Teach-Out with these activities:

Refresh the Concepts of Family Law

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Reviewing the foundational concepts of family law will help you better understand the preventative law strategies discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Family Law

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Read through your notes or textbooks from previous family law courses.
Review online resources or articles that provide an overview of family law concepts.

Practice Identifying Legal Issues in Family Situations

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Engaging in practice drills will help you develop the skills necessary to identify legal issues early on.

Browse courses on Legal Issues

Show steps

Find case studies or scenarios that involve family situations.
Analyze the scenarios to identify potential legal issues.
Discuss your findings with classmates or a mentor.

Create a Legal Health Check Toolkit

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Compiling a toolkit will provide you with resources to educate others about legal soft spots and prevention tools.

Show steps

Gather information on common legal issues faced by families.
Develop strategies for preventing or mitigating these issues.
Create materials such as brochures, handouts, or online resources.
Share your toolkit with community organizations, schools, or other relevant groups.

One other activity

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all four activities

Mentor Others on Legal Prevention Strategies

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Mentoring others will reinforce your understanding of preventative law strategies and allow you to share your knowledge.

Browse courses on Mentoring

Show steps

Identify individuals or groups who could benefit from guidance on legal prevention.
Develop a plan for mentoring sessions, including topics to cover and activities.
Provide support and guidance to your mentees.
Evaluate the impact of your mentoring and make adjustments as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Helping Families Avoid Negative Court Involvement Teach-Out will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Family Life Educator

In this role, you will teach people and families about important life skills, such as how to communicate effectively, resolve conflict, and manage their finances. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help families to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping families to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Family Life Educator

Social Worker

Social workers help people to overcome challenges and improve their lives. They work with families, children, and individuals to provide support, counseling, and other services. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your clients to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your clients to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Attorney

Attorneys provide legal advice and representation to individuals and families. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your clients to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your clients to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Attorney

Legal Aid Attorney

Legal aid attorneys provide legal services to low-income individuals and families. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your clients to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your clients to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Aid Attorney

Family Mediator

Family mediators help families to resolve conflict and reach agreements without going to court. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help families to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping families to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Family Mediator

Child Advocate

Child advocates represent the interests of children in legal and other proceedings. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help children to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping children to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Child Advocate

Pastor

Pastors provide spiritual guidance and support to individuals and families. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your congregation to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your congregation to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pastor

Community Organizer

Community organizers work with communities to identify and address social issues. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your community to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your community to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Teacher

Teachers help students to learn and grow. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your students to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your students to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Doctor

Doctors provide medical care to individuals and families. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your patients to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your patients to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Doctor

Nurse

Nurses provide medical care to individuals and families. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your patients to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your patients to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse

Hairdresser

Hairdressers provide hair care services to individuals. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your clients to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your clients to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hairdresser

Financial Advisor

Financial advisors provide financial advice and guidance to individuals and families. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your clients to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your clients to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Advisor

Insurance Agent

Insurance agents provide insurance policies to individuals and families. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your clients to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your clients to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Agent

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. The knowledge that you gain in this course about preventative law may help you to identify potential legal issues that you can help your organization to avoid. It can also help you to develop strategies for helping your organization to resolve legal issues without going to court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Helping Families Avoid Negative Court Involvement Teach-Out.

Cover image

Cover image

How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Save

This guide provides a practical overview of divorce and family law in the United States. It would be a valuable resource for anyone going through a divorce or dealing with other family law issues.

How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Cover image

Cover image

The Military Divorce Handbook

Save

This guide provides a practical overview of child custody and visitation law in the United States. It would be a valuable resource for anyone going through a child custody or visitation dispute.

The Military Divorce Handbook: A Practical Guide to...

The Military Divorce Handbook: A Practical Guide to...

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the legal aspects of family planning in the United States. It would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism, and the Early...

Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism, and the Early...

Cover image

Cover image

Work-family Balance, Gender and Policy

Save

Provides a comparative perspective on families and social policy. It would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

Work-family Balance, Gender and Policy

Work-family Balance, Gender and Policy

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Provides a cultural history of the family in the United States. It would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

Cover image

Cover image

Governing the Hearth

Save

Provides a social history of the family in the United States. It would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

Governing the Hearth: Law and the Family in...

Governing the Hearth: Law and the Family in...

The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara

Save

Provides a world history of the family. It would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius...

The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara

The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Provides a sociological overview of the family. It would be a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change

The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change

The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change

The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change

Enduring Bonds: Inequality, Marriage, Parenting,...

The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social...

The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social...

Enduring Bonds: Inequality, Marriage, Parenting,...

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Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

Johns Hopkins University

Instructors

Chlece Walker-Neal-Murray, JD, MSW, MS

Shannon Frattaroli, PhD, MPH

Language

English

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners how to identify legal soft spots and prevent legal issues which could make this course highly relevant to human resources professionals, social workers, mediators, ombudspeople, family lawyers, and judges

Teaches learners how to anticipate and plan for legal issues, which is useful in any business or organization

Designed for anyone in a romantic relationship, co-parenting or parenting relationship, or people who work with families and young and emerging adults so could fit well into a paralegal or human resources training program

Taught by two experienced instructors who are recognized for their work in the field of family law

Offers both theoretical and practical knowledge

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