- 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
Community Property (Fall 2019)
- Course Number: LAW-705
- Class Number: 03384
- Instructor: Scott Altman
Course Description
The law of community property, including disposition of property on dissolution of the marriage and questions of conflicts of laws.
Students in this course will learn about the rights and duties of married couples in California regarding property, including how assets and debts are characterized, how they are divided at divorce or death, and how courts enforce the fiduciary duties spouses owe each other in the management of property. The course will emphasize careful reading of California statutes.
The course will provide students with the basic knowledge of California Community Property needed to take the California Bar and will prepare students with needed background for careers in family law or estate planning. There will be little overlap between this course and courses in family law or Gifts, Will, and Trusts. Those contemplating careers in family law should take all three classes, in addition to a class in Tax.
Course Details
- Unit Value: 2
- Grading Options: Numerical or CR/D/F
- Exam: In-class, open-book exam
- Writing Requirement: No
- Skills/Experiential Unit Requirement: No
- Participation: Participation and attendance may figure into final grade
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