Family Law Paralegal
Job Description:
About the Role:
The Family Law Paralegal will support attorneys with divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoption, guardianship, and related domestic relations matters. This role is ideal for an experienced family law legal assistant or paralegal with 3 to 5 years of experience managing case files, preparing legal documents, coordinating discovery, and communicating professionally with clients, courts, and opposing counsel.
Responsibilities:
- Manage family law case files from intake through resolution, maintaining accurate records, deadlines, correspondence, pleadings, and supporting documentation.
- Draft and prepare petitions, motions, discovery requests, subpoenas, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and other family law documents.
- Coordinate discovery by collecting, organizing, reviewing, and summarizing financial records, tax documents, employment information, property records, and other evidence.
- Maintain attorney calendars and track court dates, filing deadlines, mediation sessions, depositions, hearings, and client meetings.
- Communicate with clients regarding case updates, document requests, scheduling, and procedural requirements while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
- File legal documents electronically with state and local courts and ensure compliance with applicable court rules and filing procedures.
- Assist attorneys with hearing, deposition, mediation, settlement conference, and trial preparation, including organizing exhibits, witness materials, and case summaries.
- Conduct legal and factual research related to divorce, custody, support, property division, domestic violence, and other family law matters.
- Coordinate with courts, opposing counsel, experts, evaluators, process servers, and other parties involved in active cases.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive personal, financial, and legal information with discretion.
Qualifications:
- Three to five years of paralegal experience in family law, domestic relations, divorce, custody, or a closely related legal practice area.
- Strong knowledge of family law procedures, legal terminology, court filings, discovery processes, and case management practices.
- Demonstrated experience drafting pleadings, discovery documents, financial affidavits, settlement materials, and client correspondence.
- Proficiency with legal case management software, electronic filing systems, Microsoft Office, document management platforms, and calendaring tools.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with attorneys, clients, court personnel, and opposing counsel.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple cases, meet deadlines, and manage detailed documentation.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and remain composed when handling emotionally sensitive family law matters.
- High level of accuracy, attention to detail, professionalism, and commitment to client service.
- Paralegal certificate, associate degree, or equivalent combination of legal education and relevant professional experience.
- Ability to protect confidential information and comply with legal ethics, privacy requirements, and professional standards.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience preparing cases for mediation, evidentiary hearings, depositions, settlement conferences, and trial.
- Familiarity with financial discovery, asset tracing, property division, business valuation, and high-net-worth divorce matters.
- Experience supporting child custody evaluations, guardian ad litem matters, domestic violence proceedings, or complex support cases.
- Knowledge of local family court rules, judicial procedures, and electronic filing requirements.
- Advanced proficiency with legal research databases, document automation tools, and family law case management systems.
- Professional paralegal certification, such as NALA Certified Paralegal or NFPA Registered Paralegal credentials.