Florida 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
R. Rafool
Assisting with initial client interview
Preparing engagement letter, opening file
Collecting information
Preparing Pleadings and Assisting with Motion Practice
M. Sawicki
Preparing initial pleadings
Requesting temporary relief
Preparing for the temporary orders hearing
Preparing the temporary orders
Obtaining and Evaluating Financial Information
E. Daugherty, J. Mignolet
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
D. Hernandez
Current status of custody law in Florida
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
ABCs of Child Support
L. Britt
Calculating support
Number of children
Timesharing
Net income of each parent
Other child-related expenses
Deviations from guidelines
Retroactive Child Support
Modification
Handling Ethical Issues in Family Law Practice
J. Waterway
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
Working with divorce clients and opposing counsel
Establishing and maintaining good communication with clients
Working with difficult clients
Working with the courts and opposing counsel
Maintaining professionalism
Credits
Florida Registered Paralegals
Pending
NFPA Certified Paralegals
Pending
Continuing Education Credit Information
This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, to paralegals.
HalfMoon Education has applied to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations for course approvals for certified paralegals. The application is under review. Email doug@halfmoonseminars.org if you would like to be notified of NFPA’s CLE credit decision. Certification is not required to attend this event.
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
Lynn Britt
Britt & Company, P.A.Britt & Company, P.A., Ft. Lauderdale
Lynn M. Britt, C.P.A., J.D. is the president and majority shareholder of Britt & Company, P.A. for over thirty years she has worked as an expert witness and forensic CPA in family, contract, criminal and other litigation in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Britt & Company’s range of services includes production management, full financial analysis, and expert testimony. Ms. Britt has also been a court-appointed neutral CPA, investigator, and receiver. Ms. Britt earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in 1989 and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Florida Atlantic University in 1978. In addition to being a certified public accountant, she is also an attorney licensed in the State of Florida. She engages in extensive continuing education in the family law and litigation related areas and is a member of local and Florida CPA and Bar associations. Ms. Britt has been an author and speaker on a variety of family law topics such as alimony reform, accounting issues in family law, advanced family law practice for paralegals, and valuation.
Elizabeth Daugherty
Browward County Family Law FirmBrowward County Family Law Firm, Ft. Lauderdale
Ms. Daugherty has been a matrimonial and family law litigation attorney in Broward County, Florida, since 1994. She earned her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University, Shephard Broad Law Center in 1994. She is a Florida Bar Member of the Family Law Section and Dispute Resolution. She has been a Speaker for 11 years on communication with family law judges and judicial assistants.
Dolly Hernandez Esq.
Boyd Richards Parker & Colonnelli, P.L.
Ms. Hernandez has achieved an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and represents high net-worth individuals in complex marital and family law cases. Her practice includes international child abduction actions pursuant to the Hague Convention, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, dissolution of marriage actions, equitable distribution, alimony, paternity, child support, and parenting issues. Ms. Hernandez was named to the Florida Super Lawyers List (2014-2018), including the Top 50 Women list and Top 100 Miami list in 2018. She received her J.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
Jean Mignolet
Mignolet Business Research ConsultantsMignolet Business Research Consultants, Ft. Lauderdale
Ms. Mignolet is the owner of Mignolet Business Research Consultants based in Fort Lauderdale for over 25 years. She is a certified Florida License Private Investigator with experience in law enforcement, criminal defense and civil investigations. She is a pioneer in electronic information gathering. When Ms. Mignolet lost a family member in the Towers on September 11; she was recruited by a Dept. of Homeland Security contractor to help design and train law enforcement investigators and analysts around the country within a terrorism prevention workshop. Ms. Mignolet showed how “Pieces of the Evidence Puzzle” can be found in open source and proprietary databases. Her most recent government contract was training and consulting International Open Source Analysts that work with INTERPOL. Returning to her core investigative business these past couple of years, she was a team leader in developing the investigative action plans for the BP fraud cases. The majority of her investigations are now in-depth background investigations or due diligence on people and businesses for attorneys, businesses and individuals. She gathers the information so her clients are able to ask the right questions, make meaningful decisions and arrive at the best resolution.
Raymond Rafool
Rafool, LLCRafool, LLC, Miami
Mr. Raymond J. Rafool, II, a partner at Rafool, LLC, is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, all courts in the State of Florida; the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; and the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. As a Board Certified Attorney in Marital and Family Law, he concentrates his practice on domestic and international family law and business and commercial litigation. He is Board Certified in marital and family law by the Florida Bar, and Nationally Board Certified as an Expert in Family Trial Law by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). Mr. Rafool was named in the Miami Herald’s 2015, 2016 and 2017 list of South Florida’s Legal Leaders, Top Rated Lawyers. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was selected to the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Florida Super Lawyers list which recognizes no more than five percent of attorneys in each state. In addition, Mr. Rafool is rated a Florida Top Lawyer in Family Law by ALM and has a perfect 10 Avvo rating. For 2015, 2016 and 2017 Mr. Rafool is a Top 100 Lawyers, and on the Executive Committee for The National Advocates. He has represented many celebrities and individuals in complex family, same sex, and business litigation and lectures and has authored numerous publications on aforementioned practice areas. Mr. Rafool is a past Vice Chair and member of the Florida Family Law Rules Committee, the past Chair and member of the Florida Criminal Rules Committee, a past Vice Chair and member of the Florida Judicial Administration, Selection and Tenure Committee and a past Representative on the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Committee.
Mark Sawicki
Mark E. Sawicki, P.A.Mark E. Sawicki, P.A., Ft. Lauderdale
Mr. Sawicki earned his Bachelor’s degree from the prestigious SUNY Binghamton University with high honors. He then received his Juris Doctorate from Nova’s Shepard Broad Law Center. While in law school Mr. Sawicki interned at Palm Beach County’s Staff Attorneys office. During this internship is when he was first exposed to the courtroom, and more especially Family law. This lead him to excel in numerous advanced Trial, Business , and Family law classes further honing his skill at focusing on Family law, and Trial work. Mr. Sawicki was active in numerous organizations such as Jewish Law Students Association, and the most senior member of the Academic Dishonesty Panel, a distinction received for being a member for 3 years. Upon admittance to the Florida Bar Mr. Sawicki immersed himself in the practice of Family Law. Immediately learning law and court room strategy from a well respected sole practitioner in South Florida. He decided to open his own law firm using his skills and knowledge learned from his time spent practicing of Family Law in South Florida. Mr. Sawicki is a member of the Broward Bar, and the Florida Bar Family Law section.
Jennifer Kane Waterway Esq.
Jennifer Kane Waterway, P.A.
Ms. Waterway is a family lawyer, mediator, and guardian ad litem. She handles divorce, child custody, timesharing, and relocation, paternity, domestic violence, and dependency matters involving the Department of Children and Families (DCF), as well as pre- and post-nuptial agreements and post-judgment modification and enforcement actions. She has practiced law since 2000, focusing almost exclusively on family law since 2006, and started her own firm in 2011. Before that she worked for a well-known Boca Raton law firm for many years, handling high-conflict family, probate, and guardianship matters, and top-tier South Florida law firms representing sophisticated corporate clients in product liability, mass tort, and commercial matters in state and federal courts across the country. Before that she served as a judicial law clerk at the Fourth District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach, handling civil, criminal, and family law appeals. She received her law degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.