Libsyn Directory

341: Listen and Learn -- Marriage Formation and Requirements (Family Law)

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Release Date: 01/19/2026

341: Listen and Learn -- Marriage Formation and Requirements (Family Law)

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we explain the legal requirements for marriage formation in the United States. We also cover common law marriage as an exception to the procedural requirements and use hypothetical scenarios to illustrate how these rules apply in practice. In this episode, we discuss: Defining marriage and legal precedents Procedural and substantive requirements for getting married Common law marriage Two hypotheticals from previous California bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or...

340: Listen and Learn -- Trust Formation and Administration

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This episode of our "Listen and Learn" series explains the fundamentals of trust formation and administration, covering the requirements for creating both private and charitable trusts. In this episode, we discuss: The different types of trusts Requirements for creating an express private trust Charitable trusts Duties owed by the trustee Two hypotheticals illustrating how trusts are created and administered Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening...

339: Top 10 Time-Wasters When Studying for the Bar Exam

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're going through the most common ways students waste time while studying for the bar, including relying on passive learning, overfocusing on one section, using too many resources, and neglecting feedback. We emphasize the importance of active study methods, balanced preparation, and honest self-reflection to maximize your chances of passing the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: Passive vs. active learning Overfocusing on one portion of the exam Ways to get helpful feedback Effective MBE studying and essay writing ...

338: Studying for the Bar During the Holiday Season

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! We've made it to another holiday season, which means joy, good food, family, and friends. However, for those studying for the bar exam, it can also bring a lot of stress as you try to manage bar prep and family commitments. Today, we're sharing some ways to think about bar study during the holiday season. In this episode, we discuss: Creating a study schedule Setting boundaries with family and friends, and handling tough questions Allowing yourself to take real time off How to ask for help if you need to Avoiding social media and comparisons...

337: Listen and Learn -- Will Revocation

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we explain the ways in which a validly executed will can be revoked (by a subsequent document, by a physical act, and by operation of law), and analyze examples illustrating these concepts. In this episode, we discuss: The requirements for a valid will Revocation by a subsequent document Revocation by a physical act Revocation by operation of law Doctrine of dependent relative revocation A few hypotheticals and examples Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or...

336: Listen and Learn -- Will Formation and Execution

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we explain the five requirements for a valid will, and analyze two hypotheticals to illustrate how courts determine validity. In this episode, we discuss: The basics of will formation The five elements of a valid will What is a holographic will? The "harmless error" rule Two hypotheticals from previous California bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via...

335: How Is the NextGen Changing the Legacy UBE?

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing how the rollout of the NextGen UBE in July 2026 will also bring significant changes to the Legacy UBE, including the removal of certain subjects from the MEE and a shift in focus for the MPT. In this episode, we discuss: Timeline for the NextGen UBE and Legacy UBE Major changes in the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) Preparing for the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) Potential changes in the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) Deciding when to take the bar exam Resources: If you enjoy the...

334: Listen and Learn -- Strict Liability: Animals and Dangerous Activities (Part 2)

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This is Part 2 of a two-part series on strict liability as it relates to animals (both wild and domestic), as well as certain super dangerous activities. In this episode, we discuss: Strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities Strict liability for keeping wild and domestic animals Two hypothetical scenarios illustrating the above concepts Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always...

333: Listen and Learn -- Strict Liability: Animals and Dangerous Activities (Part 1)

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This is Part 1 of a two-part series on strict liability as it relates to animals (both wild and domestic), as well as certain super dangerous activities. Join us next week for the second episode on this topic. In this episode, we discuss: Overview of strict liability in torts What activities are considered abnormally dangerous? Strict liability as it relates to keeping wild and domestic animals A fact pattern from the February 2008 California bar exam Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or...

332: Mastering Bar Exam Multiple-Choice Questions (w/Chris Fromm from Themis)

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with Chris Fromm - National Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Themis Bar Review - about strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions on the bar exam, including the upcoming NextGen format. We discuss how to manage your time effectively, leverage practice tools, and seek support during the challenging bar prep period. Note: This episode is sponsored by – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. With this special promotion, you can save $1,000 on any 2026 Themis Bar Review course using the code...

More Episodes

In this episode, we discuss:

Defining marriage and legal precedents
Procedural and substantive requirements for getting married
Common law marriage
Two hypotheticals from previous California bar exams

Resources:

Download the Transcript
(https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-341-listen-and-learn-marriage-formation-and-requirements-family-law/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

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