Michigan Family Law Practice for Paralegals Seminar
DISCLAIMER
Before undertaking any on-demand effort, you should review the rules of your licensing/certifying entity.
It’s your responsibility to determine whether this on-demand course meets your continuing education requirements.
You must take and pass a quiz to receive credit. You can take the quiz as many times as needed and there is no time limit on the quiz.
Once the quiz is completed, you will be asked to download your certificate.
**Any on-demand programs that qualify for AIA or LACES credit will require an additional 2 business weeks for processing.
**AIA credit is not available in USB format.
Streamable MP4/PDF
You will receive an automated email letting you know when your On-Demand package is available approximately 3 business days after the date of the live event or the date of your order, whichever is later. This email will contain links to the video recording, materials, and program quiz.
To track your purchase, you will need to create an account on the website using the email address used for your registration.
For AIA requirements only, the on-demand recording will have occasional question prompts that will not allow the video to progress unless they are answered, and you will not be able to skip forward while watching the video.
Please note, if you attempt to resume watching the video on a separate device, your progress will not be saved.
Click the link which appears at the end of the video to be taken to the course quiz.
You will have unlimited access to the on-demand video recording, and it will never expire.
**Any streamable on-demand programs that qualify for AIA or LACES credit will require an additional 2 business weeks for processing.
USB MP4/PDF
HalfMoon will mail these materials via USPS.
USB orders ship approximately 3 business days after the program takes place or after the order is placed, whichever date is later. Please allow an additional 7-10 business days for shipping.
The link to the quiz will be available in a PDF in your USB drive marked QUIZ.
HalfMoon will contact you and issue a full refund if the product you ordered is not available. However, refunds will not be issued if completion certificates are requested.
Please contact HalfMoon Education if you have any questions during the process of taking this course. (715) 835-5900 or qchapman@halfmoonseminars.org
**Any USB on-demand programs that qualify for LACES credit will require an additional 2 business weeks for processing.
**AIA credit is not available in USB format.
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
K. Cole
Performing conflicts checks
Assisting with initial client interview
Preparing engagement letter, opening file
Collecting information
Preparing Pleadings and Assisting with Motion Practice
K. Cole
Preparing initial pleadings
Requesting temporary relief
Preparing for the temporary orders hearing
Preparing the temporary orders
Obtaining and Evaluating Financial Information
S. Heath
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
Assisting with Child Custody and Visitation Issues
S. Smith Dickinson, K. Roark
Current status of custody law in Michigan
Obtaining relevant information
• Client interview, custody questionnaires, authorizations for disclosure,
using formal discovery
Working with guardian-ad-litem
Working with experts
Drafting and reviewing parenting plans
Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders and Decrees
S. Smith Dickinson, K. Roark
Implementing divorce decrees and orders
• Preparing and filing the decree
• Preparing other necessary documents
• Enforcing judgments and 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
L. Nieusma
• 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 paralegals
6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour.
NALA Approved
NFPA Approved
Continuing Education Credit Information
This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, to paralegals.
The National Association of Legal Assistants and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations have each approved this event for 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hours.
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
Kathleen Cole
Cole Family LawAttorney at Cole Family Law
Ms. Cole has been a trial lawyer for 24 years. She is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She specializes in family law matters such as divorce, custody, parenting time, support and adoptions. Ms. Cole is a certified mediator and is a member of the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, the American Bar Association and the Livonia Bar Association. She is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a past president of the Livonia Bar Association. Ms. Cole has also received numerous awards and recognitions, including being recognized by Super Lawyers as a Top Attorney and in Top Women Attorneys as published in Hour Detroit magazine and has been designated as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness magazine.
Symantha Heath
Elkouri Heath, PLCPartner at Elkouri Heath, PLC
Ms. Heath has been a trial lawyer and a partner in the law firm of Elkouri Heath, PLC for over 24 years, with an office located in southern Oakland County. Ms. Heath is certified in mediations and in collaborative law. She was awarded the Super Lawyer designation in 2019 (awarded to less than 5% of attorney’s in Michigan). She was named by American Institute of Family Law Attorneys as one of the 10 best female attorneys in Michigan for 2018 and 2019, and she was named by Crain’s Detroit Business as a top Michigan attorney. Ms. Heath is the past president of the Wayne County Family Bar Association and are executive board member. She is also a member of the Michigan State Bar Association and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. In addition, Ms. Heath is a Northville Township trustee and a member of the Northville Township Zoning Board of Appeals. She earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Detroit Law School in 1993 and is licensed to practice in Michigan and U.S. Federal Court. Ms. Heath is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association.
Laura Nieusma
Hertz Schram PCAttorney at Hertz Schram PC
Ms. Nieusma is a 2015 graduate of Michigan State University College of Law and has practiced exclusively family law for her entire career. She has completed the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s family law certificate and is a member of the Michigan Interdisciplinary Professionals Association. Ms. Nieusma regularly appears throughout metro-Detroit, focusing her practice in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties.
Kaila Roark
The Smith Law Offices, P.C.Paralegal at The Smith Law Offices, P.C.
Ms. Roark, paralegal at The Smith Law Offices, graduated from Washtenaw Community College in 2019 with her associate in arts degree in Paralegal Studies. She began her career in June 2019 as a paralegal and has worked with Samantha Smith Dickinson closely on her family law and bankruptcy cases. Ms. Roark is currently working towards completing her certification through the NALA Paralegal Association.
Samantha Smith
The Smith Law Offices, P.C.Owner/Attorney at The Smith Law Offices, P.C.
Ms. Smith Dickinson, owner of The Smith Law Offices, graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology in 2005 and with a juris doctorate degree from Wayne State University Law in 2008. She opened The Smith Law Offices, PC in early 2010. She focuses primarily in family law, including divorce and child custody. Ms. Smith Dickinson has tried a substantial number of cases in Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw Counties with excellent results. She has earned the esteemed ranking of Super Lawyer Rising Star for five years in a row, along with a number of other awards and certifications.