The majority of divorce attorneys have clients who have children. It is, therefore, important to have an understanding of the impact of divorce on a child and to know how to advocate for the child's best interests (especially if your client has been awarded sole or primary custody). For example, at Columbia Law School there was, in 2009, a "Child, Family and State" seminar course focused on children's rights in the legal system and how to procedurally protect them (e.g., enforcement of visitation schedule). Classes such as these should be incorporated into your curriculum.
Criminal acts are, unfortunately, a part of many divorces, either prompting the split or resulting from it. Learning how to manage and respond to such a crisis -- for example, getting an expedient restraining order against a belligerent spouse -- is an essential part of serving clients embroiled in a contentious divorce. Criminal law courses can teach the elements of a crime and remedies available to victims. In a majority of law schools nationwide criminal law is a mandatory first-year course.
If you plan to practice divorce law in a community property state -- Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin -- it is important to take at least one course on the subject. Community property laws affect how marital property is divided between divorcing spouses in the absence of a prenuptial agreement. In addition to learning how the property is split you will also learn how to identify nonmarital property.
Once you have taken several family law-related courses consider adding a family law clinic to your course schedule. Divorce attorneys draft a number of documents (custody agreements for example), regularly make appearances in court and must effectively negotiate with opposing counsel. A family law clinic can give you hands-on experience in all these areas and allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom.
Taking a trust and estate class will enable you to advise clients on any changes they should make in estate planning documents (will, trust, health care proxy, durable power of attorney). A divorce can have an effect on the validity of these documents if they are not updated, and inheritance can be affected. Knowing how to guide your client during a divorce in this area ensures that his final wishes will be enforced by a court.