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Overview
Your Guide to Resolving Family Law Issues as a Paralegal
Communicating with clients with mental health diagnoses, handling court reporters, and organizing discovery effectively - these are just some of the issues paralegals regularly encounter in family law. Are you poised to face any obstacle with confidence? This practical course provides you with paralegal tips for family law cases. From the intake process to trial preparations, develop the skills you need to help your team succeed - register today!
- Discover sample forms to supplement or improve your existing ones.
- Find out the dos and don'ts of discovery.
- Develop strategies for conducting legal research and preparing memos.
- Obtain best practices for preparing for trial.
- Implement real-world strategies for managing mental health issues in family law cases.
This program was designed in conjunction with NBI's esteemed 2023-2024 Content Advisory Committee Member Erika MacCormac.
Abbreviated Agenda
- Starting on the Right Path
- Ode to Discovery
- Legal Research and Case Law Updates
- Trial Preparations
- Managing Mental Health
- Intersection of Family Law and Other Law
Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| California MCLE Paralegal |
|
6 Total | 11-13-2026 |
| Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals |
|
6 Total | 11-13-2026 |
| New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of |
|
6 Total | 11-13-2026 |
| Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division |
|
6 Total | 11-13-2026 |
Select Jurisdiction
Paralegal
Agenda
-
Starting on the Right Path
- Intake Forms
- Intake Process/Interview
- Communications With Client - What You Can and Can't Say
- Organization of Physical Files
- Organization of Digital Files
-
Ode to Discovery
- Local Rules for Deadlines, Amounts, and Authorization
- Interrogatories
- Request for Production of Documents
- Requests for Admissions
- Subpoenas for Witnesses vs. Documents
- Child Support Guidelines and What You Need to Complete
- Collecting and Organizing Discovery - Digital and Paper
- Preparing Discovery Responses for Opposing Counsel
-
Legal Research and Case Law Updates
- Paid Options for Legal Research
- Free Options for Legal Research
- Annual Case Law and Statutory Updates
- How to Prepare a Memo
-
Trial Preparations
- How to Prep Your Attorney for Trial
- Role of Court Staff and How They Can Help or Hurt
- How to Prepare Exhibits and Submit Online, If Applicable
- Court Reporters Do's and Don'ts
- Roles of Expert Witnesses
- Appeal Considerations and Deadlines
- Day of In-Court Assisting: Top Tips
-
Managing Mental Health
- Most Common DSM V Classifications Seen in Family Law Cases
- Effective Communication With a Client With Mental Health Diagnosis
- Best Practices for Handling Difficult Clients
- Secondary Trauma Effects on Yourself and How to Spot and Prevent/Treat
- How to Spot Possible Impairment in Your Attorney - and What to Do
-
Intersection of Family Law and Other Law
- Criminal Law
- Protective Orders/No-Contact Orders
- Domestic Assault and Battery
- Parental Kidnapping
- Abuse and Neglect
- Bankruptcy Law
- Chapter 7 v. 13
- When a Divorcing Party Files - Dos and Don’ts
- Automatic Stay and What It Means
- Child and Spousal Support Obligations and Discharge
- Estates Law
- Effects of Divorce on Wills and Trusts
- Special Needs Trusts for Children
- Changing Beneficiaries and Removing Beneficiaries Incident to Divorce
- Changing Deeds to Property Incident to Divorce
- POAs and What to Do When Divorce Is Imminent
- Criminal Law
Who Should Attend
This intermediate level course will provide attendees with best practices for managing common issues that arise in family law. Those who should attend include:
- Paralegals
- Legal Technicians
- Legal Assistants
- Legal Support Staff
Speakers
Speaker bio
Bethany M. Mulhern
is an attorney with the law firm of Miller Cushing Holladay, PLLC in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been practicing Family Law since 2017 and focuses on divorce, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, alimony, and property settlement agreements. Ms. Mulhern earned her B.A. degree from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and her J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law. She is admitted to the North Carolina Bar and the U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina.
Speaker bio
Hon. Jeanette A. Irby
is a retired Circuit Court Judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. She is currently managing director of Juridical Solutions PLC, where she mediates family law disputes which are most suited to alternative dispute resolution. Judge Irby is experienced in all areas of civil litigation, including complex business disputes, divorce (equitable distribution, spousal support and custody), and personal injury claims. Before going on the bench, she practiced law with her primary focus on domestic relations. Judge Irby earned her B.S. degree from Central Michigan University and her J.D. degree from Thomas W. Cooley Law School.
Speaker bio
Alexandria Rieli
paralegal with Miller Cushing Holladay, PLLC. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to California in high school. Ms. Rieli began her career in family law as a paralegal in Sacramento after graduating from MTI College, where she received her associates degree in paralegal studies. In 2021, Ms. Rieli moved to Charlotte and continued in the family law field.
Speaker bio
Kerie S. Trindle Byrne
, PP, PLS-SC has been a legal professional for over 25 years and has worked in many different capacities in the law firm environment, including file clerk, legal secretary, office manager, administrative assistant, and paralegal. She has previously spoken on ethics and other topics at the webinar entitled, "A Paralegal's Guide to Discovery in Divorce". Through determination, hard work and on-the-job training, Ms. Trindle Byrne gained the background knowledge and skills to perform as a legal support professional. Believing education to reinforce her skills was important, she attended Phoenix College and earned her Associate of Arts Degree in paralegal studies, obtained her PP and PLS certifications from NALS, and her specialty certificate (SC) in family law from NALS. Ms. Trindle Byrne has practiced many areas of law and has worked as a family law paralegal with David N. Horowitz of Warner Angle Hallam Jackson & Formanek PLC for the last 18 years. She believes her communication skills, creativity, intuition and innovation make her an effective leader.
Speaker bio
Ryan P. Sayler
has built his career upon advocating for children and helping families safely manage challenging situations. He began his work counseling and caring for youth to help them work through mental and behavioral issues, so that they could heal and move beyond past issues. Through this experience, Mr. Sayler saw first-hand how important support and security is for our youth, which made him passionate about advocating for children and helping families better communicate and function together. After spending six years in the social work field as a counselor and mental health worker, he found himself wanting to make a bigger impact. Now in the family law field, Mr. Sayler is able to apply his knowledge and commitment toward helping families navigate through difficult circumstances so they can move forward with their lives. He is skilled at identifying areas of leverage in negotiation, and encourages clients toward a favorable outcome prior to litigation. Mr. Sayler's efficient and adaptable approach serves his clients well when it is necessary to take their case to the courtroom. He practices family law throughout central Pennsylvania, including Dauphin, Cumberland, Lebanon, Lancaster, Perry, York, Adams and Franklin counties. Mr. Sayler earned his bachelor's degree in youth development psychology from North Central University. He went on to earn his law degree from The Penn State Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he still remains involved consulting the Community Law Clinic. Additionally, Mr. Sayler's experience with public speaking, legal drafting and creative research serve as a tremendous benefit to his clients and their cases.
Speaker bio
Lisa Ura Bollinger
is a partner with Black, La France & Bollinger, LLC, where she practices in the areas of divorce and family law, estate planning, general litigation, landlord representation in evictions and collection. Ms. Bollinger graduated from Notre Dame College and later from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law.) She is admitted to practice in New Hampshire and before the U.S. District Court (1st District NH).
Top FAQs
What is included with my course purchase?
When you enroll prior to the live event date you will receive access to the live-streaming webinar which will allow you to interact with faculty in real-time.
With each course, you will receive access to the content via OnDemand Streaming and the Video Download.
Course reference materials are included with each course purchase in a downloadable PDF format.
How do I access my courses?
Courses are available within your account. Simply login to your account and click on My Courses. If you require additional assistance please call our Customer Service Department at 800-793-5274.
Do you have options for attendees who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Closed captioning is available for all online live courses. Attendees may enable the closed captioning functionality within the event room once they have accessed the event by simply clicking the "cc" button in the lower right of the event room.
Are multiple attendee discounts available?
Yes, the more people you bring from your organization, the more you save. Please call out Customer Service Department to inquire about savings for your team at 800-793-5274.
When will the OnDemand be available and how long will I have access to the content?
The OnDemand Video will be available to stream within 14 days of live broadcast date. You will have access to the content for 6 months in your account.
If you're a subscriber, you'll have access to your course recordings until 7 days after the expiration date of the subscription.
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