Family Law Paralegal

What Does A Family Law Paralegal Do?

By Kathy Hubbard

kdh11.com

(Not intended to be all-inclusive…)

Areas Within Family Law

Child Custody

Marriage

Spousal Abuse

Name Change

Child Abuse

Elder Care

Child Support

Adoption

Divorce

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Attend Initial Interview With Attorney & Client; Help Identify Legal Problems That Can Be Referred To Other Entities

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Divorce

Collect Background Info On Client

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Marriage License

Marriage certificate, assets, number of children, bank accounts, etc.

Complete Domestic Relations Questionnaire

And Draft Pleadings And Documents

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Draft Temporary Motions,

Affidavits, & Orders

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Draft Property Settlement Agreement

Draft Request For Production Of Documents

Determine Support Requirements & Calculate

Child Support

Draft Permanent Orders

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Post-Divorce Modification

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•Draft Modification Motions & Affidavits•Serve Notice On Opposing Counsel•Arrange For Service Of Documents•Obtain Dates For Court Hearings•Arrange For Mediation, If Required•Help Client Prepare Financial Affidavit•Arrange For Appraisals Of Real & Personal Property, If Needed•Schedule Interviews•Obtain Info For Discovery•Organize, Categorize, & Determine Completeness Of Discovery•Draft Proposed Stipulations

Additional Paralegal Tasks

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Draft petition for adoption, consent for adoption, decree of adoption

Draft petition for name change

Draft initial or responsive pleadings; check on service of process, &draft any necessary motions for service

Explain paralegal responsibilities to the client

Prepare files and clients for hearings

Draft motions

Draft interrogatories

Review answers; highlight answers that seem questionable or questions that have been objected to; forward to responsible attorney

Keep calendar current

Set depositions

Arrange for court reporter

Additional Paralegal Tasks(Cont.)

Research case law

Arrange for private investigators

Docket due dates, court appearances, and deadlines

Interview witnesses & serve subpoenas

Investigate law

Arrange for expert witnesses

Keep track of client fee balance

Prepare for trial

Issue trial subpoenas to witnesses, arrange service & file return ofservice

Update discovery

Prepare proposed order

Organize trial exhibits and prepare exhibit list

Have charts, graphics, blow-ups, & so forth prepared

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Keep Clients Informed

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Discuss Courtroom Etiquette With Client & Witnesses

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Assist Attorney At Trial

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Manage file(s) at trial

Assist Attorney In Settlement Discussions

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Keep Track Of Exhibits Introduced & Admitted At Trial

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Contact Me!• Cell : 303.941.6313• Fax: 303.942.3686• Email: kdh [at] kdh11.com

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