Family and Inheritance Law (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The lectures and exercises.

Objective

The object of the course
Family and succession law constitute the so-called life cycle law, meaning that you will need expertise in this legal area in many personal life situations as well as when working in expert positions in a bank, for example.

Course competences
Business competence
The students know the central theories related to this specialisation option. The students possess at least an advanced beginner’s skills in the practical tasks of the specialisation option.
Learning to learn
Student assesses and develops their competence and learning methods in different learning environments. Student is able to acquire, critically assess and appropriately apply the national and international knowledge base and practices of their field.
Ethics
Is able to take responsibility for their own actions and their consequences and reflects on them in accordance with the ethical principles and values of their field.

The learning objectives of the course
You are familiar with the principal legislation governing family and succession law. You understand the principal concepts related to family and succession law. You recognise the legal question at stake in the court case. You are capable of preparing documents related to family and succession law.

Content

Engagement, cohabitation and marriage
Situation of the child order of succession
Estate distribution
Legal practice

Materials

Lecture materials, relevant legislation; the Marriage Act, the Cohabitation Act, the Inheritance Act and the Child Custody and Access Act. Recommended eBook:
Kangas, U. 2019. Perhe- ja jäämistöoikeuden perusteet. Helsinki. Alma Talent Pro.

Teaching methods

The course will be completed by participating in lecture teaching, which is carried out as face-to-face teaching in a classroom setting and, according to a separate announcement, also as online lectures (webinar) as well as independently following online lectures offered by external parties (eg. Eduhouse). In addition, the course includes learning assignments and exercises as well as classroom pair/group assignments.

Exam schedules

The grade of the course is determined based on the final exam held in Moodle on March 21 - 22, 2025.
If the exam is rejected, a re-exam will be held in Moodle for these parts. The first re-exam opens on Dec 5, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. and closes on 6, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. The second re-exam opens on Dec. 12, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. and closes on Dec 13, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. You must register for the re-exam no later than two days before the exam date by sending an email to the teacher. You can only take part in the exam after all the learning / lesson assignments have been returned. More detailed information about the exam will be announced in Moodle in connection with the exam.

Completion alternatives

The use of an optional completion method is subject to a well-founded reason that will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Student workload

Student workload in hours:
face-to-face hours 22 h
virtual learning 38 h (including an online exam)
independent pair/group work and
independent study / completion of learning assignments 75 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Adequate 1
You are familiar with the principal legislation governing family and succession law. You understand the principal concepts related to family and succession law. You recognise the legal question at stake in the court case. You are capable of preparing documents related to family and succession law.

Satisfactory 2
You are familiar with the principal legislation governing family and succession law. You understand the principal concepts related to family and succession law and are capable of applying them in practical assignments. You recognise the legal question at stake in the court case and the applicable points of law. You are capable of preparing documents related to family and succession law and know the related legislation.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3
You are familiar with the principal legislation governing family and succession law. You understand the principal concepts related to family and succession law and are capable of applying them in practical assignments. You recognise the legal question at stake in the court case and the applicable points of law and comply with the instructions provided for resolving a court case. You are capable of preparing documents related to family and succession law and know their formal requirements imposed by legislation.

Very Good 4
You are familiar with the principal legislation governing family and succession law. You master the principal concepts related to family and succession law and are capable of applying them in practical assignments. You recognise the legal question at stake in the court case and the applicable points of law and are able to apply the instructions provided for resolving a court case. You are capable of preparing documents related to family and succession law and know their formal requirements imposed by legislation and the legal practice.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
You are familiar with the principal legislation governing family and succession law. You master the principal concepts related to family and succession law and are capable of applying them in practical assignments. You recognise the legal question at stake in the court case and the applicable points of law and are capable of analysing the case in a versatile way, showing problem-centred resolving ability. You are able to instruct other members of the work community in the preparation of documents in compliance with the formal requirements imposed by legislation.

Qualifications

The Finnish legal system
Legal action and legal capacity
Conclusion and termination of contract
Form, content and interpretation of contracts
Legal practice

Further information

The maximum number of points a student can get on the final exam is 100. A minimum of 50 points is required for a pass. In points this means:

grade 5 = 89-100 points

grade 4 = 77-88 points

grade 3 = 65-76 points

grade 1-2 = 50-64 points