Becoming A Family Law Paralegal: A Step-By-Step Guide

Family law is a unique area of practice, requiring a comprehensive understanding of the law as it relates to the many types of relationships between individuals sharing a domestic connection. Family law paralegals are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from negotiating childhood custody agreements to supporting attorneys in family court. They must possess excellent interpersonal skills, as they often act as a buffer between clients and attorneys, and be able to handle emotionally charged situations.

To become a family law paralegal, it is recommended to complete a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). This can be in the form of a certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. While a certificate can be completed more quickly, a more advanced degree may make candidates more desirable to employers. In addition, internships and further specialization in family law through workshops or additional coursework can enhance one's resume and better prepare them for the challenges of this rewarding yet demanding career.

Education and qualifications

The first step to becoming a family law paralegal is to complete a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA approves paralegal programs at every level, from certificate programs to master's degree programs. However, the standard route to becoming a paralegal is to complete an ABA-approved associate or bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies.

The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) recommend that students complete a paralegal program of at least 60 credits, which is equivalent to an associate's degree. Both paralegal associations also emphasize the importance of internships, recommending a paralegal internship of at least six months. Internships provide valuable experience in the chosen area of law, such as family law.

While a certificate or degree is not required to enter the field, earning one can enhance your job prospects in the competitive market for family law paralegals. Law firms and lawyers dealing with family law often prefer paralegals with a strong educational background due to the sensitive nature of the work.

Paralegal programs typically cover core classes such as an overview of the law, legal research, legal writing, and litigation. Elective classes focusing on specific areas of the law, including family law, criminal law, intellectual property law, and real estate law, are also often available.

In addition to academic credentials, strong communication and interpersonal skills are crucial for family law paralegals. They must be capable of handling distressed clients and effectively communicating with other professionals, such as bank personnel, healthcare providers, and accountants.

Professional certification is voluntary but can be a valuable addition to a paralegal's resume, signifying advanced competency and knowledge. Advanced specialty certifications in family law are offered by organizations like NALA and NALS, providing further qualifications for those pursuing a career in this area.

Job duties

Family law paralegals are involved in all aspects of family law, completing tasks as assigned by a family law attorney. They are the point of contact for a law firm's clients and are responsible for negotiating often contentious childhood custody agreements, as well as supporting attorneys during cases that make it to family court.

Client Intake and Liaison

The first step is client intake, where paralegals talk with the potential client and set up an appointment with the attorney. After the attorney is hired, the paralegal acts as a liaison between the client and the attorney, conducting client interviews. They must be capable of handling clients who may be anxious, upset, or distressed.

Legal Research and Writing

Paralegals are responsible for performing legal research and preparing and drafting motions, pleadings, judgments, statements, documents, and other correspondence. They also prepare trial notebooks and provide assistance in trial settings.

Scheduling and Case Management

Paralegals schedule appointments, court appearances, and mediation/deposition hearings. They also maintain attorney calendars and case files, ensuring that all deadlines are met.

Financial and Asset Investigations

Many cases in family law involve financial components, so paralegals must often investigate the income, expenses, assets, and lifestyles of one or both parties. This includes asking questions, collecting documents, and organising and delivering necessary information for the case.

Discovery and Investigation

Paralegals are in charge of discovery and investigation, which involves researching assets, filing briefs with the court, and scheduling hearing dates. They must also keep their clients consistently updated on the progress of their case and be ready to adapt to any changes.

Education and Certification

While there are no special certifications required for family law paralegals, advanced specialty certifications in family law are beneficial for those pursuing a career in this area. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) offers advanced certification in several areas of family law, including adoption, dissolution case management, child custody, and division of property.

The standard educational route to becoming a paralegal involves completing an associate or bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies. However, a certificate in paralegal studies is also an option and can be completed much more quickly.

Skills

Family law paralegals require a unique skill set to handle the complexities and emotions associated with family law cases. Here are some key skills necessary for success in this field:

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Family law often involves emotionally charged issues such as child custody, child support, and division of assets. Paralegals must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to handle clients who may be anxious, upset, or distressed. They must also maintain effective communication with other professionals, including bank personnel, healthcare providers, accountants, and financial officers.
• Research and Legal Writing: Paralegals are responsible for conducting legal research and preparing legal documents such as motions, pleadings, judgments, statements, and correspondence. Strong reading comprehension, writing skills, and legal vocabulary are essential for drafting these documents accurately.
• Organisation and Attention to Detail: Family law cases involve a significant amount of paperwork, including financial documents, asset lists, witness affidavits, and more. Paralegals must be highly organised and pay close attention to detail to manage and track important documents and scheduling matters.
• Investigation: Family law often involves financial investigations to determine income, expenses, assets, and lifestyles of the parties involved. Paralegals should be skilled in asking relevant questions, collecting and organising documents, and conducting informal investigations.
• Negotiation and People Skills: Family law cases can be emotionally charged, and paralegals may need to act as a buffer between clients and lawyers. Strong people skills, including the ability to negotiate, defuse tense situations, and provide comfort to distressed clients, are crucial for success in this field.
• Emotional Intelligence: Family law paralegals must be able to manage their own emotions effectively when dealing with sensitive and emotional cases. They should be able to project smooth, confident competence, even in challenging circumstances.
• Time Management: Family law paralegals often juggle multiple responsibilities, including client interactions, research, drafting documents, and attending hearings or court proceedings. Effective time management skills are essential to balance these competing demands.
• Adaptability: The role of a family law paralegal can vary depending on the size of the law firm and the specific case. Paralegals should be adaptable and able to take on a wide range of tasks as required.
• Ethics: Paralegals must adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain client confidentiality. They should also function as ethical and effective members of the legal team, always acting in the best interests of their clients.

Career prospects

Family law is a unique area of practice, as it involves the study of law pertaining to the many types of relationships between individuals sharing a domestic connection. Family law paralegals are involved in all aspects of family law, completing job duties as assigned by a family law attorney.

Family law paralegals are in high demand as more attorneys streamline their budgets. Larger companies are also moving towards using in-house legal teams. With these developments, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth at 1.2% through 2033, which is much faster than average for all occupations. The median national annual salary for paralegals and legal assistants is $60,970. It is not uncommon for paralegals to earn a larger paycheck if they work at a large law firm or in a big city.

The job duties and responsibilities of family law paralegals include:

• Preparing and drafting motions, pleadings, judgments, statements, documents, and other correspondence
• Performing legal research
• Maintaining attorney calendars and case files
• Scheduling appointments, court appearances, and mediation/deposition hearings
• Serving as a liaison between the client and attorney, conducting client interviews
• Preparing trial notebooks and providing assistance in trial settings
• Preparing and reviewing discovery packages, including disclosure statements, answers to interrogatories, and production requests
• Negotiating often contentious childhood custody agreements
• Supporting attorneys during cases that make it to family court
• Researching assets, filing briefs with the court, and scheduling hearing dates
• Calculating and arranging for the collection and distribution of court-ordered child support
• Working with self-representing litigants to brief them on family law processes and requirements
• Reviewing cases referred to child protective service agencies from social services and law enforcement to determine and recommend further actions
• Drafting protective orders and custody agreements for social service agencies
• Serving as guardians ad litem in various child advocacy programs
• Arranging immigration formalities for overseas adoptions
• Obtaining social security numbers for adoptees
• Ensuring that the adoptive parents meet visitation and other requirements

Family law paralegals must have excellent interpersonal communication skills and must be capable of handling clients who may be anxious, upset, or distressed. They must also communicate well with other professionals, such as bank personnel, healthcare providers, accountants, and financial officers.

Salary

In Virginia, the average salary for a family law paralegal is $72,624 per year, with entry-level positions starting at around $47,102 and experienced workers earning up to $85,040. The salary range for family law paralegal jobs in Virginia is quite broad, with some positions offering as much as $100,000 to $140,000 per year.

In Washington, DC, the average salary for a family law paralegal is slightly higher at $79,030 per year. The salary range for these positions in Washington, DC, can also vary, with some jobs offering $45,000 to $90,000 per year.

It is worth noting that salary satisfaction among family law paralegals in the United States is relatively low, with only 47% feeling that their salaries are sufficient for the cost of living in their area.

The median salary for paralegals and legal assistants in the U.S. was $50,940 in May 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, it is important to note that this data may not specifically reflect the salaries of family law paralegals, and there may be variations in salary depending on the specialization within the paralegal field.

Overall, the salary for family law paralegals can vary significantly, and it is important to consider factors such as location, experience, and employer when evaluating potential earnings in this career path.

Frequently asked questions