The Role of a Family Law Paralegal

When you hire a lawyer for your family law case, they may have a whole support team of administrators, legal assistants, and paralegals. It can be hard to know who does what in a family law case. Paralegals play an essential role in supporting family law cases.

You may end up communicating with the paralegal more than you expect. This article can help you understand the role of a paralegal in family law. For more information about what a family law paralegal does, speak with a family law attorney.

What Is a Family Law Paralegal?

A paralegal is a professional who acts in a supporting role in a law office. Paralegals help attorneys with many different types of legal matters. Paralegals often act as the liaison between the attorney and the client. Family law paralegals usually work in a law office, working for a lawyer or a group of attorneys.

A family law paralegal has experience in legal support for a family law practice. Family law can be different than other criminal or civil legal services. Issues a paralegal may deal with in family law include:

• Divorce
• Property division
• Child custody
• Parenting plans
• Child support
• Guardianship
• Adoption

A good paralegal can be vital for your family law case. The paralegal may be the person you contact when you want to talk to your attorney. A family law paralegal may also work directly with you in preparing documents, scheduling appointments, and conducting interviews.

What Does a Paralegal Do in Family Law Cases?

A paralegal has many duties and responsibilities in a family law office. Some of the things family law paralegals do include:

• Administrative tasks
• Answering phone calls
• Legal research
• Communication with potential clients
• Copy legal documents
• Organize client case files
• Scheduling hearings, appointments, and depositions
• Preparing legal forms

The main thing a paralegal cannot do is practice law and give legal advice. Only licensed attorneys are qualified to practice law, accept legal cases, or provide legal advice.

What Are the Qualifications of a Family Law Paralegal?

Paralegals are not required to complete certain training or licensing. However, many paralegals go through paralegal studies degree programs. Law offices may look for paralegals with a paralegal certificate or qualifications through a paralegal program. The National Association of Legal Assistants is a group that regulates certification for a certified paralegal. Some paralegals may also get specialization training in a certain area of law.

When Will You Deal With the Paralegal Instead of the Lawyer?

You may deal with the paralegal regularly in your family law case. Lawyers are very busy handling their cases, and paralegals can act as the point of contact for attorneys when they are busy.

When you first call, email, or fill out an online form to contact a family law attorney, you may get a response from their paralegal. The paralegal may take your information as part of the potential client intake process. When you call the attorney to ask questions about your case, your call may go through a secretary, paralegal, or other legal assistant.

Paralegals can also help you with discovery requests. Discovery is the process where the parties exchange information. Discovery can include producing documents, answering questions in a deposition, and answering interrogatories. The paralegal can help you collect documents and get copies of records.

How Can a Paralegal and Family Law Attorney Help?

Your family law attorney handles legal representation in court, but they rely on their paralegals for many things. You will likely work with the attorney and their paralegal in your family law matter. To learn more about how a paralegal can help your family law case, talk to a local family law attorney.