Michigan Family Law Practice for Paralegals
Agenda
Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 15 – 30 minutes before start time.
Friday, April 25, 2025
8:30 am – 4:00 pm EDT
Agenda:
Assisting with Family Law Case Intake
Presented by Kristiana P. Boutell
- Performing conflicts checks
- Assisting with initial client interview
- Preparing engagement letter, opening file
- Collecting information
Preparing Pleadings and Assisting with Motion Practice
Presented by Ernscie Augustin
- Preparing initial pleadings
- Requesting temporary relief
- Preparing for the temporary orders hearing
- Preparing the temporary orders
Obtaining and Evaluating Financial Information
Presented by Aaron S. Boey
- 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
Presented by Erika Salerno Shadowens
- Recent developments in Michigan custody law
- Obtaining relevant information
- Client interview, custody questionnaires, authorizations for disclosure, formal discovery
- Working with guardian-ad-litem
- Working with experts
- Drafting and reviewing parenting plans
Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders and Decrees
Presented by Benjamin M. Williams
- 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
Presented by Brian L. Keeler
- 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
Webinar Instructions
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited.
Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher.
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Windows 7 – 10 or Mac OSX Mavericks (10.9) – macOS Catalina (10.15)
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The two most recent version of the following browsers:
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge
Internet Explorer v11 (or later) with Flash enabled
Internet connection: Minimum of 1Mbps Hardware: 2GB RAM or more
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Credits
Paralegals
6.5 CLE Hours (Including 1.0 Ethics Hour)
NFPA - National Federation of Paralegal Associations
6.5 CLE Credits (Including 1.0 Ethics Credit)
Continuing Education Information
This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, for paralegals in Michigan. Paralegal certification is not required to participate in this course.
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) has approved this course for 6.5 total CLE credits, which includes 5.5 general CLE credits and 1.0 ethics CLE credit.
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).
*On-Demand Credits*
The preceding credit information only applies to the live presentation. This course in an on-demand format is not pre-approved by any licensing boards and may not qualify for the same credits; please consult your licensing board(s) to ensure that a structured, asynchronous learning format is appropriate.
Speakers
Ernscie Augustin
Attorney with Augustin Law OfficesMs. Augustin practices elder law, probate litigation, estate planning, estate administration, and family law at Augustin Law Offices, PLLC, in East Lansing, Michigan. She is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Law and serves on several committees and council roles, including board member of the Ingham County Bar Association, member of the ICLE Elder Law Advisory Board, co-chair of the Ingham County Bar Association Probate Section, and State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Council member. Ms. Augustin is also a member of the Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council and Michigan State University Inn of Court.
Aaron S. Boey
Attorney with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLPMr. Boey is an associate in the Detroit office dedicated to representing clients in all areas of domestic relations and matrimonial law, including high-asset divorces, complex custody cases, child and spousal support matters, pre-marital and post-marital agreements, and enforcement actions. With a focus on designing comprehensive and personalized solutions for his clients, he navigates his clients — ranging from corporate executives to stay-at-home parents to physicians to business owners to other professionals — through the profoundly personal nature of family law cases. Mr. Boey devotes himself to minimizing the emotional toll on his clients’ families, especially children, while maintaining strict confidentiality and ensuring results-driven representation. He takes a practical approach to his client’s matters — maintaining a focus on obtaining favorable results outside of the courtroom, whether through informal settlement or at mediation, while at the same time being prepared to fully litigate the matter through trial. Throughout the case, Mr. Boey is dedicated to listening, connecting, and working with his clients by giving them the clarity they require to reach optimal outcomes through personalized solutions.
Kristiana P. Boutell
Attorney with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLPMs. Boutell is an attorney in Taft’s Domestic Relations practice group. Her practice centers around all aspects of domestic relations law, including divorce, separation, custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, paternity, post-nuptial and pre-nuptial agreements, change of domicile, post-judgment modifications, and other domestic relations matters. She is also a dedicated advocate for reproductive rights, with a particular focus on issues surrounding family building. Ms. Boutell practice encompasses cases involving assisted reproductive technologies, surrogacy, and parental rights, working to ensure equitable access to these services and to protect the legal rights of all parties involved. She maintains a personalized approach, working with men, women, and families to provide domestic relations and related guidance and advocacy.
Brian L. Keeler
Attorney with Arnson VanTol Law, PLC.Mr. Keeler is a lifelong Michigander, raised in Plainwell, just north of Kalamazoo. He earned his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in History with a minor in Social Studies Education. After a brief period working at the high school level, Mr. Keeler pursued his passion for law, graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2014. Initially starting his career in family law, he explored other practice areas but quickly realized that his background in education uniquely positioned him to support clients navigating divorce and custody matters. Mr. Keeler ability to explain complex legal concepts in a clear, compassionate manner has been invaluable to families facing emotionally charged situations. For the past several years, he has focused exclusively on family law, where he leverages his skills to help clients resolve issues efficiently and thoughtfully. Mr. Keeler is a solutions-oriented attorney who understands that no two families are alike. His approach is tailored to each client’s specific circumstances, recognizing the need for flexibility and creative problem-solving. Having a brother who is a combat veteran and children with special needs has made these issues deeply personal to him, driving his commitment to advocacy and support for families in challenging times.
Erika Salerno Shadowens
Attorney and Partner at Varnum LLP.Ms. Shadowens is a partner at Varnum LLP. Her practice is entirely devoted to family law matters, specializing in divorce, child custody and family law litigation including change of domicile, interstate and international child custody matters. Ms. Shadowens is also a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. She adamantly advocates for her clients in Kalamazoo, Kent, Allegan, Berrien, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Barry, Calhoun, Eaton, Ionia, and surrounding counties. Her 26 years of experience lends itself well to complex high-asset cases involving closely held family businesses, and challenging child custody matters. Her knowledge of the law, diligence and tenacity help her accomplish her client’s goals in their family law matters. Ms. Shadowens has litigated cases in all levels of the court system, including the Michigan Supreme Court. Media outlets call on her to share her expertise. She is a former council member of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and currently serves as a board member for the Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo.
Benjamin M. Williams
Attorney with Foster Swift Collins & SmithMr. Williams practices in the Southfield office of Foster Swift as a member of the litigation practice group, focusing on family law cases including divorce, child support, and spousal support, criminal defense, and criminal and family law appeals. Mr. Williams is a former Chicago violent crimes prosecutor where he prosecuted first-degree murders, child sexual assaults, aggravated driving under the influence, and other violent offenses. Mr. Williams is a co-author of the Physical and Scientific Evidence chapter of the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education publication Introducing Evidence at Trial, and he is a regular contributor to Foster Swift’s Family Law Advocate blog. Mr. Williams is also a former presenter on DUI issues for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. He is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Family Law Section and the Oakland County Bar Association. Mr. Williams is licensed to practice in the state courts of Michigan, Illinois, and California.

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