The primary distinction between a divorce paralegal and a divorce lawyer is that paralegals do not have the authority to determine fees or provide legal advice to clients. Paralegals who provide legal advice may be breaking the law and may face repercussions.
There are significant distinctions between the two titles or professions that are crucial to recognizing when considering engaging legal counsel and/or representation while divorcing. Paralegals do not attend law school but typically have some specific training.
Some learn on the job, while others complete a two or four-year degree program. They are valuable and necessary members of many law firms, and some have advanced degrees. Their expertise is typically not as comprehensive as that of a lawyer, and they are typically schooled in specific areas of the law.
Some consider them to be legal assistants, yet in many situations, their training permits them to perform things that would generally be considered outside the scope of an assistant. If you or a former spouse is opposing the terms of your divorce, a divorce lawyer is qualified to examine your case and suggest viable strategies for safeguarding your rights and winning your court battle.
They will utilize their legal skills and experience to provide legal advice that will assist you in making the appropriate decisions. As previously stated, paralegals are not authorized to provide legal advice. Some firms provide divorce paralegals who carry out the chores and fill out all of the documentation required when filing for divorce.
Still, they may not interact with the client or provide them legal advice about their divorce or how to safeguard their legal rights. When getting divorced, this is generally a less expensive option, but the client does not have access to the skilled legal mind and expertise of a divorce attorney.
Some people prefer to employ divorce paralegal services in uncontested divorces, but if the divorce gets contentious, they may feel disoriented and end up hiring an attorney nonetheless. You do not have to hire a lawyer to file for divorce.
Still, given the many ramifications of your divorce agreement (asset division, child and spousal support, child custody, visitation, and so on), an experienced legal mind is often helpful, if only to review a divorce agreement before it becomes official.
It is critical to examine the differences even further when it comes to paralegals, especially because some family law attorneys provide very affordable Divorce fees, and you can be confident that your documentation will be completed appropriately. Child Custody Lawyer Since a divorce requires serious legal documentation, you should have it handled or reviewed by a professional before the final recording.