LEGAL FORM ADMINISTRATION CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This program introduces students to different areas of law office work and commonly used legal forms. Students are instructed in selection, content, and preparation of forms for areas such as contracts, real estate, motions and pleadings, bankruptcy and immigration. The program is a specialized application of paralegal studies intended for prospective or current law office staff that work under general oversight of attorneys requiring skills in client services and case file preparations. The program likewise prepares students for varied entry level law-related positions such as a court clerk, contracts file administrator, process server assistant, or legal department file clerk in loan, escrow, title companies, or bank settings.
The Legal Form Administration Certificate Program is offered during week days from 6:00PM to 9:00PM and on week ends from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. Students complete the program coursework in five weeks of study.
As part of the Paralegal Studies Program offered by Irvine University, the LFA Certificate Program is authorized and approved by the State of California Bureau of Private Post-Secondary Education (B.P.P.E.)
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
While all applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED, the majority of successful applicants for the program have some college work credits. Admission decisions also consider an applicant’s maturity and capacity to engage in post secondary level education by a review of the overall personal and work related information submitted by the applicant. In some instances, a personal interview may be requested to review the materials submitted by the applicant for admission.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete 40 hours of course instruction, pass all required academic examinations, and meet their tuition obligations.
CURRICULUM AND COURSE DESCRIPTION
LEG 100 – Motions & Pleadings This course is designed to orient the student in assisting in the preparation and service of a civil law suit such as unlawful detainers, negligence, personal injury, various kinds of service of process, motions to strike, demur, summary judgment on the pleadings, and answers to complaints.
LEG105 – Real Estate This course teaches the student the different types of listings, escrows, disclosures and types of broker agencies. The student will learn to summarize a buyer’s and seller’s property purchase statement, describe the applicable taxes on the real estate transaction, recognize the issues involved in property management. Emphasis is placed on understanding a real property purchase agreement and legal mandatory disclosures.
LEG 110 – Immigration This course introduces the student to the most commonly used DOJ immigration forms, local agency and Immigration Court practices and procedures. The student will learn the different types of visas and supporting affidavits for employer sponsored workers, immediate family and relatives, and fiancés. Change of status petitions will also be studied.
LEG 115 – Bankruptcy This course acquaints the student with forms used in Bankruptcy Law Chapter 7 and 13. The student will learn the foundational legal terms, exemptions, concepts in processing of a bankruptcy case, commonly used forms in creditor-debtor hearings, and analyzing affidavit statements for hidden assets research.
LEG 120 – Contracts and Torts This course teaches the basic principles of contract formation and personal injury law. The student will learn frequently used terms in contract and tort law practice, how to assist in the preparation of a form pleading for contract breach or personal injury with damages or other remedies. Instruction in preparing witness affidavits, review of accident reports and proper compiling documents in a case file will be given.
