- About
About USC Gould
USC Gould is a top-ranked law school with a 115-year history and reputation for academic excellence. We are located on the beautiful 228-acre USC University Park Campus, just south of downtown Los Angeles.
- Academics
Academics
Learn about our rigorous and interdisciplinary curriculum, our invaluable experiential learning opportunities, and the breadth and depth of our specialized areas of concentration and certificate offerings.
- Admissions
Admissions
USC Gould helps prepare you for a stellar legal career. You can pursue a JD degree, one of our numerous graduate and international offerings, or an online degree or certificate.
- Students
Students
Participate in an unparalleled learning experience with diversity of people and thought. Get involved in the law school community and participate in activities that enhance your studies.
- Careers
Careers
We work closely with students, graduates and employers to support successful career goals and outcomes. Our overall placement rate is consistently strong, with 94 percent of our JD class employed within 10 months after graduation.
- Faculty
Faculty
Our faculty is distinguished for its scholarship, as well as for its commitment to teaching. Our 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio creates an intimate and collegial learning environment.
- Alumni and Giving
Alumni and Giving
The global Trojan network of more than 10,000 law alumni and donors include recognized leaders in numerous fields who are deeply committed to supporting student and law school success.

Course Descriptions
- DEGREES
- CERTIFICATES
- + AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
- ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
- BUSINESS LAW
- MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT AND TECHNOLOGY LAW
- PUBLIC INTEREST LAW
- + EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
- UNDERGRADUATE COURSES AND PROGRAMS
- CORPORATE AND CUSTOM EDUCATION
- + NON-DEGREE PROGRAMS
- ACADEMIC CALENDAR
- COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
- BAR ADMISSIONS
Gifts, Wills and Trusts (Fall 2019)
- Course Number: LAW-607
- Class Number: 03237
- Instructor: Daniel S. Murphy
Course Description
This course focuses on the gratuitous transfer of wealth, especially in the familial context from one generation to the next. There is an analysis of the legal requirements for, and social policies affecting, gifts, wills, probate and trusts. Fiduciary administration issues also are considered. This course is available to be taken CR/D/F. Students are expected to be current in reading and able to participate in class discussion. Class will include an assignment to draft a will and a mediation exercise. There will be a three-hour, open book and open notes multiple-choice final examination. Students will be allowed to use personal computers for their examinations.
Course Details
- Unit Value: 4
- Grading Options: Numerical or CR/D/F
- Exam: In-class exam
- Writing Requirement: No
- Skills/Experiential Unit Requirement: no
- Participation: Expected
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