Agenda

Registration:                        8:00 – 8:30 am

Morning Session:                8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Lunch (On your own):         12:00 – 1:00 pm

Afternoon Session:             1:00 – 4:30 pm

Assisting with Family Law Case Intake
L. Collins

   Assisting with initial client interview
   Preparing engagement letter, opening file
   Collecting information

Preparing Pleadings and Assisting with Motion Practice
L. Collins

   Preparing initial pleadings
   Requesting temporary relief
   Preparing for the temporary orders hearing
   Preparing the temporary orders

Obtaining and Evaluating Financial Information
H. W. Edgar

   Identifying relevant information on assets, debts, income and expenses
   Obtaining financial information
      Using financial information questionnaires
      Using interrogatories, requests for production, deposition testimony, private investigators
      Valuing assets
   Evaluating the information you have obtained
   Working with accountants and financial experts
   Preparing financial statements

Use of Evidence Code 730 Evaluations in Custody Matters
H.W. Edgar, J. Roark

   Current status of custody law in California
   Purpose of an EC 730 Evaluation
   Preparing clients for the 730 Evaluation
   Information to be sent to the 730 Evaluator
   Use of special masters in custody matters
   Re-unification therapy
   When co-parenting counseling is appropriate

Preparation of Marital Settlement Agreements and Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders and Decrees
H.W. Edgar, J. Roark

   Implementing divorce decrees and orders
      Preparing and filing the decree
      Preparing other necessary documents
      Enforcing judgments and orders
      Enforcing temporary orders
      Enforcing custody orders
      Enforcing support orders
   Modifying decrees and orders
      Determining which parts of a decree or order are subject to modification, deciding when to seek modification
   Assisting in modification actions

Handling Ethical Issues in Family Law Practice
S. Highfield

   Complying with rules of professional responsibility and ethics guidelines for attorneys and paralegals
   Avoiding conflicts of interest
   Maintaining client confidentiality
   Avoiding the unauthorized practice of law
   Working with the secretive or dishonest client
   Handling allegations of abuse or neglect
   Zealous (vs. over-zealous) representation
   Fee agreements, retainers, and collection of unpaid fees

Credits

This seminar offers 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, to California paralegals and NALA and NFPA certified paralegals.


Continuing Education Credit Information

This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, to California paralegals. It has been approved for 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

The State Bar of California has approved HalfMoon Education as an MCLE sponsor for attorneys. This credential along with the NALA and NFPA course approvals will be provided on course completion certificates.

Attendance will be monitored and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.

Speakers

D. Leigh Collins

Family Law Matters
Ms. Collins is a paralegal with the firm Family Law Matters in Temecula, California. She started her legal career in 1986 with Riverside Superior Court where she worked for 15 years, advancing from file clerk to supervisor. Since then, Ms. Collins has worked as a paralegal exclusively in family law. She is primarily a litigation paralegal and is familiar with Riverside, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County and San Diego County filings. Ms. Collins has worked as a paralegal under B&P code 6450 since 2000 exclusively in Family Law. She attended California State University Fullerton and regularly takes continuing education courses at University of California Riverside. She is a member of the Court Clerks Association, Riverside Bar Association, Orange County Paralegal Association, National Association of Legal Assistants, National Notary Association

H. Edgar

Law Offices of H. William Edgar, APLC

H. William Edgar is the founder of the Law Offices of H. William Edgar, APLC, and the principal trial attorney. Mr. Edgar has been in private practice since 2004, at which time he limited his practice to family law. Previously, he was an associate with another law firm handling family law, personal injury, civil litigation, construction defect, medical malpractice, and criminal law. A Riverside native, Mr. Edgar has been recognized as one of the best family law attorneys in the Inland Empire and is highly respected by other lawyers and the judges. He makes every attempt to settle cases, but tries between 25 and 30 cases a year. Mr. Edgar also handles appeals and writs in the California Appellate courts and has argued cases in the California Court of Appeals. His firm has successfully reversed a judgment in a non-published opinion in the court of appeal. Mr. Edgar appears regularly in the Riverside Superior Court, both in Riverside and Hemet; San Bernardino Superior Court; Orange County Superior Court and various courthouses throughout Los Angeles. Mr. Edgar earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History at the University of California – Santa Barbara. He graduated from Southwestern University School of Law in 1998 and was admitted to practice in California in December 1998.

Shannon Highfield

Fed-Up Legal Solutions

Shannon Highfield is a paralegal, registered legal document assistant, and owner of Fed-Up Legal Solutions in Riverside, California. She is dedicated to providing quality document preparation and professional services to the community. Ms. Highfield has an associates degree in Paralegal Studies and an associates degree in Business Administration, graduating with Principles Honors and earning the Student of Distinction Award in 2011. In 2017 she received several commendations for outstanding business practices and legal services from the Better Business Bureau and the Riverside Bar Association. Prior to opening the doors of Fed-Up Legal Solutions Ms. Highfield worked as a paralegal in several law firms where she primarily focused on family law. While working under attorneys, she applied her skills managing cases, drafting pleadings, and client relations. Ms. Highfield has six years of experience working as a paralegal, four working in a law firm, and two running her document preparation business.

Jeremy Roark

Law Firm of H. William Edgar, APLC

Jeremy N. Roark is an attorney exclusively practicing family law in the Temecula office of the Law Firm of H. William Edgar, APLC. He is managing attorney and handles family law cases throughout Southern California. Mr. Roark is an active member of State Bar of California and practices exclusively family law. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California – Los Angeles and earned his Juris Doctor degree from University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California. Prior to joining the Law Offices of H. William Edgar, Mr. Roark worked at various family law firms in the Inland Empire. He is familiar with the local courts and has represented clients in varied family law matters. Mr. Roark was recruited to the firm for his knowledge of the law, familiarity with the courts, and zealous advocacy of his clients.