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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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Discuss Courtroom Etiquette With Client & Witnesses
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Assist Attorney At Trial
Contact Me!• Cell : 303.941.6313• Fax: 303.942.3686• Email: kdh [at] kdh11.com
Connect with Me!• Visit my LinkedIn Profile
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Click Here For A Resume
