Family Law Associate Attorney Job Description

Family Law Legal Assistant

A family law legal assistant is responsible for supporting the work of a family law attorney and plays an important role in the domestic law practice. One of the most emotional areas of the law is family law, which consists of pleadings and motion practice. The legal assistant works closely with the attorney to ensure documents are filed on time and with clients who have questions about the case.

Legal assistants help with the law practice and perform other duties to keep the firm running smoothly. The family law legal assistant needs to be well-versed in the styling and format requirements of the local court in which the attorney practices. The legal assistant may be asked to fill in factual information or the procedural history of a particular case, while the attorney is responsible for setting forth any legal arguments and conclusions in pleadings.

The paralegal can either file the document in person or via e-filing in a growing number of countries. The legal assistant completes forms for domestic relations including child support, financial affidavits, discovery requests, protective orders, proposed parenting plans, petitions for name change or deed, and more. The client will be in constant contact with the law firm during the duration of a domestic relations case, whether it is a divorce, custody dispute, paternity inquiry or child support matter.

The legal assistant is often tasked with fielding calls and emails from clients and providing updates about the next step in the process. The assistant must gather all relevant information during the initial contact to determine if the case is appropriate for the firm. The legal assistant must help clients understand the nature of the requests if the attorney needs information from them.

Family Law: A Study of the State's Decision on Custodial Child Support

One of the most debated areas of family law is child custody. Child custody and parenting time are decided by the states. The court considers things like the bond between the parent and the child, whether the parent has a stable home, or whether the parent has a criminal record.

Family lawyers need to understand how the courts decide on custody. Family lawyers have to learn the law that is specific to where they practice. Family lawyers help their clients understand the law and form realistic expectations so that they can make wise decisions as their case moves forward.

Family lawyers make sure that child support amounts are correct. A family lawyer can help a client show the court the whole situation if the other parent tries to hide income. A family lawyer reviews the calculations of the court to make sure there are no errors that could cause an inaccurate child support award.

Abuse and neglect is a sensitive area of family law. Abuse and neglect proceedings can be initiated when the state believes that a parent isn't able to care for a child. They might represent a parent accused of abuse or neglect.

When family lawyers represent clients in abuse and neglect proceedings, they help their clients either defend against allegations of abuse or help them comply with services and other requirements in order to regain custody of their children. The standard for ending parental rights is very high. When the state wants to end a parent's rights, family lawyers are aggressive.

Family Law in the United States

Civil unions, marriages, divorces, adoption, and child custody are all covered by family law. Family courts in the United States are often over-helmed with cases concerning people who are disadvantaged. The courts have been criticized for not being beneficial to those they attempt to help, especially since the most contentious family law issues are often child custody and visitation rights.

Family law in the United States was based on European feudalism. Marriage, as defined by law before the beginning of the 20th century, allowed the husband to become the owner of the wife property, despite property laws that gave women more rights. Judicial divorces were allowed in all states by 1900, but they required more time to process, which was the exception of South Carolina.

Family Law Students: A Multidisciplinary Approach

The BLS said that the job market is very competitive because of the large number of law school graduates. The median annual salary for attorneys was $114,970 in the year of 2014, according to the BLS. Attorneys made between $75,000 and $172,000.

You will need an undergraduate degree and three years of law school to start a career in law. It's best to take a multi-disciplinary approach and hone your communication skills, research and logical thinking abilities, because there is no specific major for family lawyers. Family lawyers must be able to win their clients' trust.

They need to come up with solutions to legal problems that are unique. Perseverance is key when working long hours and being stressed out. If you don't mind the length of study to become a lawyer, you can work as a paralegal without a license.

You need an associate's degree to study paralegal studies. If you have a bachelor's degree in another subject, you can get a paralegal certificate. Paralegals can't give legal advice or try cases, but they can help lawyers in many ways.

Family Law Associate Attorney

A top ranked law firm is looking for a family law associate attorney. The candidate will be in charge of the case. Will respond to correspondence.

Prepare pleadings, financial disclosures, mediation and trial briefs. Fight and respond to discovery. The San Diego office of a top ranked law firm is looking for an associate intake attorney.

The candidate will handle the intake of new clients, sales, and case management, and will match them with litigators. Will provide a service for telephone calls. A top ranked law firm is looking for a senior family law associate attorney.

The candidate will be in charge of the execution of client cases. Will draft pleadings and discovery. Meet deadlines and correspond with clients.