Getting Started in Family Law: Paralegal's Guide

Agenda / Content Covered

All times are shown in Eastern time.

1. Case Initiation, Motions, and Discovery Tools
   12:00 - 12:45, Bretta Z. Lewis
   1. Initial Client Interview and Follow-up (w/Sample Intake Forms)
   2. Case Filing and Service of Process: Divorce, Custody, Paternity, Protective Orders, Guardianships
   3. Case Information Statements and Preliminary Motions
   4. Drafting and Responding to Discovery Requests (w/Sample Forms)
   5. Assisting with Depositions
   6. Preparing Discovery Motions: Motions to Compel, Quash, etc.
   7. Review of Financial Documents
2. Handling Custody and Support Issues
   12:45 - 1:30, Bretta Z. Lewis
   1. Custody Options, Procedures, and Forms
   2. Completing Child Custody Worksheets
   3. Parenting Plans (w/Samples and Checklists)
   4. Different Types of Pay and How Each Calculates Income
   5. Child Support Worksheet: How-to's and Tips
   6. Special Income Issues: Pre-Tax, Post-Tax, Lump Sum, Overtime, Imputed, Bonuses, etc.
   7. Maintenance/Alimony Calculation
3. Preparing for Hearings and Trial
   1:45 - 2:30, Priscilla Nash
   1. Applying Key Rules of Evidence
   2. Preparing Briefs, Trial Exhibits, and Notebooks (w/Samples)
   3. Managing Experts and Lay Witnesses
   4. Best Practices and Pointers: Assisting at Hearings and Trial
   5. Preparing the Final Decree, Support Order, and Permanent Orders (w/Samples)
   6. Troubleshooting Post-Decree Issues
4. Case and Office Management for the Family Law Paralegal
   2:30 - 3:15, Elaine Simons
   1. Calendaring Key Dates and Proactively Managing the Calendar
   2. Organizing and Maintaining Client Files
   3. Reviewing, Drafting, and Documenting Correspondence
   4. Managing Discovery Production/Financial Information
   5. Mediation/Arbitration Management

Accreditation Details:

BRETTA Z. LEWIS is an attorney with the Virginia Beach law firm of Wolcott Rivers Gates, where she specializes in complex family law and equitable distribution matters. She has been certified as a Guardian Ad Litem for children since 2005 and frequently represents children in cases of abuse, neglect, and high conflict custody cases. Ms. Lewis is an adjunct law professor at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary, a faculty member of the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course required of all new Virginia lawyers, and serves on the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board as an immediate past member. She has served as a faculty member for Virginia CLE, the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Employment Law Association, the Virginia Beach Juvenile Court, the Virginia Beach Bar Association, the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association, the National Business Institute, the Inns of Court, and the Tidewater Paralegal Association. Ms. Lewis is a frequent lecturer on topics relating to family law, general litigation, mediation, and legal ethics. She holds a B.A. degree in history from the University of Virginia, a master's degree in English from George Mason University, and a J.D. degree from William & Mary.

PRISCILLA NASH is a legal assistant for Group Legal Services and works for Barbie Scharf-Zeldes who is one of the in- house counsel attorneys. Group Legal Services serves the San Antonio Police and Fire Fighters in areas of family law, probate, guardianships, estate planning, real estate, and some litigation. Ms. Nash is the current president of the San Antonio Paralegal Association and has previously served as president-elect and Parliamentarian. She is also a member of the State of Texas Paralegal Division.

ELAINE SIMONS is the Director of Legal Services/Senior Paralegal at Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC. She has an associate degree in business education. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Simons worked in sales and marketing for 24 years. While completing her Paralegal Program at UTSA, she joined the San Antonio Paralegal Association as their first-ever Student Liaison. In addition to that position, Ms. Simons has served on the board of SAPA as Secretary in 2019-2020 and is currently the 2020-2021 president-elect. She was nominated for Paralegal of the Year in October 2019 by her peers. Ms. Simons is currently the Director of Legal Services/Senior Paralegal of Tessmer Law Firm. She is also an active member of both the National Association of Legal Assistants and the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division.