Family financial management involves decisions based on both economic and social factors, including the quality of life and well-being of all family members. Family composition changes throughout the life course of people, including formation and re-formation, and are affected by laws, regulations and policies at multiple levels, from local or national. Six case studies were developed for students to critically think about and through the myriad of decisions that diverse families make as manage their lives and financial resources. Each case study features a different family type: a relocating family with same-sex parents, an uncoupling family with heterosexual parents, widowhood, coupling, a divorcing gay couple, and a single parent family, all within the context of current events in the U.S. For each case study, students are asked by their employer or in a professional role to prepare a report that makes use of highly credible and trusted sources of information and a chart or table as well as a recommendation for the family. To further student learning four reflection questions were also developed. The case studies were piloted in spring 2023 course, revised summer 2023 and will be fully deployed fall 2023 in an undergraduate online course of ~50 students. Case studies will be updated as needed based on current events, including legislative and judicial decisions.
