Handling the Divorce Case From Start To Finish: A Paralegal's Guide

Agenda / Content Covered

1. Client Intake and Pleadings - Key Questions to Ask
   10:00 — 10:30, Zachary Kretchmer
2. Case Management for Divorce Cases
   10:30 — 11:15, Elizabeth Juelich
   1. Creating a Comprehensive Divorce Checklist
   2. Calendaring and Follow-Up Systems
   3. Organizing, Indexing and Tracking Client Documents
   4. Document Management Strategies for Produced Materials
   5. Tips and Techniques for Effective Time and Task Management
3. Drafting Discovery Requests and Responses
   11:30 — 12:15, Michael Fink
   1. Scope and Timing of Discovery
   2. Effective Interrogatories, Requests for Production
   3. Requests for Admissions in Divorce Cases
   4. Motions for Medical and Vocational Evaluations
   5. Setting Up and Assisting Depositions
   6. Organizing and Maintaining Divorce Discovery Documents
4. Social Media, Smartphone and Email Evidence: Key Guidelines for Paralegals
   12:15 — 1:00, Tifanne Wolter
   1. Key Information to Look for and Where to Find it
   2. Obtaining Electronic Evidence
   3. Top Sources of Electronic Data
   4. Subpoenaing Cellphone and Social Media Companies
   5. Email and Computer Discovery Tips
   6. Instagram, Snapchat and Other Apps to Search
   7. Retrieving Lost or Deleted Data
5. Support and Custody Issues
   1:30 — 2:15, Elizabeth Juelich
   1. Determining and Calculating Support
   2. Preparing Child and Spousal Support Worksheets
   3. Arrearage Calculations and Wage Assignments
   4. Working with Child Custody Experts
   5. Drafting Parenting Plans, Agreements and Schedules
6. Uncovering Key Financial Information in Divorce
   2:15 — 3:00, Tifanne Wolter
   1. Critical Documents to Gather
   2. Investigating and Identifying the Assets and Debts
   3. Developing a Solid Financial Affidavit
   4. Financial Analysis and Balance Sheet Preparation
      1. Real Property
      2. Personal Property
      3. Debts and Liabilities
      4. Retirement Plans/Pensions
      5. Investments
      6. Business Interests
      7. Other Key Assets and Liabilities
   5. Working with Financial Experts
   6. Drafting the Financial Disclosure Statement
   7. Review of Spending to Determine Future Needs
7. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) - What Paralegals Need to Know
   3:15 — 4:15, Michael Fink
   1. What is a QDRO?
      1. Defined Contribution QDRO Issues
      2. Defined Benefit QDRO Issues
   2. Retirement Accounts and How They are Different From Other Assets
   3. How Paralegals Can Help Attorneys Prepare to Divide a Retirement Account
8. Divorce Trial: A Paralegal's Role
   4:15 — 5:00, Zachary Kretchmer

Accreditation Details:

MICHAEL H. FINK is an attorney with and the founder of Michael Fink Law, PLLC. He has experience in guiding clients through the process of divorce and post-divorce matters, whether through litigation or alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation. Mr. Fink also is experienced with cases involving paternity, child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance, pre-nuptial agreements and property division, as well the negotiation and writing of fair and equitable property settlements and enforceable prenuptial agreements. He has also litigated and won permanent Harassment Restraining Orders for clients whose former partners are not conducting themselves amicably. Besides simple and complex divorce cases, Mr. Fink also has experience with interstate and international family law cases. He is a member of the Minnesota State and American bar associations. Mr. Fink earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from New England Law, Boston. He earned his Masters of Public Affairs from Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.

ELIZABETH L. JUELICH is a partner at Krueger, Juelich & Schmisek, PLLC, in Minnetonka, Minnesota, where she focuses her practice on family law and estate planning. Ms. Juelich is admitted to practice law in Minnesota, and is a member of the Hennepin County and Minnesota State bar associations, and their respective Family Law and Probate and Trust sections. She has presented at the Minnesota Family Law Institute and has been published in the Minnesota State Bar Association's Family Law Forum. Ms. Juelich was selected to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list in 2019 and 2020, an honor awarded to no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state, as nominated by peers and vetted by the research team at Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business. Ms. Juelich graduated, cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law and graduated, cum laude, from Hamline University where she received her B.A. degree in management and political science.

ZACHARY A. KRETCHMER is a shareholder and partner with Kretchmer Family Law, PLLC. His practice is exclusively devoted to family law, representing clients on cases involving complex business valuations, non-marital property, spousal maintenance, paternity, custody, and adoption matters. Mr. Kretchmer is also a Rule 114 qualified neutral and offers family mediation services. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Mr. Kretchmer also serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and is a co-chair of the Hennepin County Bar Association - Family Law Section. He is admitted to practice before the Minnesota Supreme Court. Mr. Kretchmer is recognized as a Super Lawyer 2014-2019. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, his Juris Doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law, and his Masters of Business Communications from the University of St. Thomas. Mr. Kretchmer has presented continuing legal education classes on the child support law, custody, parenting time, managing high conflict cases, and disability insurance. He has previously lectured for National Business Institute and the Institute for Paralegal Education. Mr. Kretchmer also regularly teaches mediation trainees the financial and procedural aspects of divorce in Minnesota.

TIFANNE E.E. WOLTER is an attorney with Henningson & Snoxell Ltd. She has practiced family law exclusively for more than a decade. Ms. Wolter has assisted a wide array of clients with divorce, custody, paternity, child support, third party custody, parenting time, and domestic abuse matters. She is trained in collaborative divorce and mediation, and, upon graduating from law school, she obtained a certificate in dispute resolution from Hamline University School of Law. After earning her Juris Doctorate degree, Ms. Wolter worked for Legal Aid and helped victims of domestic abuse and low income clients with family law issues. She is the past chairperson and representative to the assembly for the Minnesota State Bar Association (Family Law Section). Ms. Wolter has been involved with the Family Law Section for many years. Previously she was the vice chairperson and chairperson of publications. She earned her B.A. degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota and her J.D. degree from Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota.