If you are interested in family law, you should consider becoming a family-law paralegal.
You’ll work with families and an attorney to address various legal situations.
It allows you to work closely with clients, and help them through tough times.
What Is a Family Law Paralegal?
A paralegal works under the supervision of an attorney.
They perform many legal duties but aren’t allowed to practice law themselves.
A family law paralegal will work with an attorney or law firm that specializes in family law.
You may work on different types of cases, including:
- Divorce/separation/annulment
- Spousal support or alimony
- Custody and parental rights and obligations
- Adoptions
- Child protective services
- Restraining orders
Much of your time will be spent communicating with clients.
This includes explaining the legal process, conducting interviews, and giving the client updates about the case.
Other duties include:
- Preparing motions, pleadings, judgments, documents, and other correspondence
- Legal research
- Maintaining an attorney’s schedule and scheduling appointments
- Organizing and maintaining case files
- Preparing trial notebooks and assistance during the trial
- Reviewing and summarizing discovery packages
- Interviewing witnesses or family members of the client
- Conducting financial research on one or both parties
Steps to Become a Family Law Paralegal
There are a few paths to becoming a family law paralegal because there are no legal requirements to be a paralegal.
However, the most common path starts with a paralegal training program.
Step 1. Paralegal Education
When choosing a paralegal education program, it’s a good idea to choose a program that is ABA-approved.
You can choose a program that provides you with a certificate, diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree.
A general paralegal program is a great starting point and will include coursework on family law.
You can also choose a program that allows you to specialize in learning family law paralegal duties.
Step 2. Consider Internship or Employment
If you don’t have a paralegal education, you may be able to find an internship or employment to learn on the job.
If you’ve completed a paralegal program, an internship or job can allow you to gain valuable real-world experience.
Step 3. Get Certified
Certification isn’t required by law, but many employers prefer or require you to be a certified paralegal.
Becoming certified can provide you with better job prospects and may allow you to find higher-paying work as a family law paralegal.
Step 4. Get Specialized Training in Family Law
All paralegal programs offer some coverage of family law.
However, you can take specialized courses to learn more about how to be a family law paralegal. This can help you in your career.
Step 5. Maintain Certification
Once you are certified, you’ll need to maintain your certification.
This typically includes continuing education and paying a fee when renewing your certification.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Family Law Paralegal
Licensing isn’t required to be a family law paralegal.
However, most employers will require you to be certified as a paralegal.
NALA
NALA, or National Association of Legal Assistants, is the leading paralegal organization.
To qualify for certification, you’ll need to meet one of the requirements.
If you are enrolled in or completed an approved training program, you may apply for certification.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, one year of experience is required.
You’ll also need 15 hours of paralegal courses.
If you have only a high school diploma, you are required to have 5 years of experience as a paralegal.
You will need 20 hours of continuing education credits as well.
Once you are qualified, you’ll apply with a fee.
You’ll schedule a time to take the certification exams.
You’ll take a knowledge exam and a skills exam.
You must pass both components to be certified.
Once you are certified, you can use the CP (certified paralegal) credential.
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, or NFPA, is the oldest paralegal organization in the U.S.
They also offer paralegal certification.
If you are beginning your career as a paralegal, you’ll take the Paralegal Core Competency Exam or PCCE.
If you have an associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or legal studies, you are eligible for certification.
This is the oldest paralegal organization in the U.S.
Paralegals beginning their careers will take the Paralegal CORE Competency Exam or PCCE.
If you have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree plus a paralegal certificate, you are eligible.
You’ll apply along with a fee of $300 to $350.
If you pass the certification exam, you’ll be a Certified Registered Paralegal or CRP.
Online Training Programs
Online training programs can allow you to train to be a family law paralegal in the comfort of your own home.
Depending on the program, you may spend a few months to 2 years completing the program.
Center for Legal Studies
The Center for Legal Studies offers a few educational options.
If you have no paralegal education, you should choose the Core Paralegal plus Family Law Program.
You’ll take three courses during this program.
These are Paralegal 1, Paralegal 2, and Family Law.
Each course is 7 weeks long, for a total of 21 weeks of study.
You’ll receive a certificate for Paralegal Studies, and one for Family Law after completing the course.
You can also earn an Advanced Paralegal Certificate.
To earn this certificate, you’ll need to complete Paralegal 1 and 2, a similar program, or have sufficient experience.
Then, you’ll take 6 advanced or specialization courses in one year.
Once you’ve completed 6 courses, you will get your Advanced Paralegal certificate.
Bryant and Stratton College
Bryant and Stratton College offers a Domestic Law Paralegal Certificate program.
You’ll learn the basics of being a paralegal, with a concentration on Family Law.
Courses include Legal Research and Writing 1 and 2, Introduction to Legal Studies, and Law Office Management and Technology.
Center for Advanced Legal Studies
The Center for Advanced Legal Studies offers three paralegal programs.
You can earn a certificate, Associate, or Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies.
You may choose to start by earning a certificate, and then continue to your associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
The certificate course is also a great choice if you already have a degree in another field.
The program focuses on general paralegal education, but you will complete a course in family law.
It lays the foundation to become a family law paralegal. Programs can be completed on campus or online.
Courses include Legal Research and Writing, Introduction to Law and Ethics, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Civil Procedure.
Salary
The average salary for a family law paralegal in the U.S. is $79,757.
Salaries typically range from $71,657 to $89,057.
How much you can earn will depend on where you choose to work, your experience, education, and certification.
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,000 | $53,450 | $25.70 | $74,820 | $35,210 |
| Alaska | 760 | $63,180 | $30.38 | $92,640 | $45,850 |
| Arizona | 7,550 | $65,400 | $31.44 | $93,640 | $38,030 |
| Arkansas | 1,460 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| California | 39,220 | $79,210 | $38.08 | $117,120 | $48,320 |
| Colorado | 5,400 | $72,220 | $34.72 | $101,830 | $47,180 |
| Connecticut | 4,850 | $71,140 | $34.20 | $96,530 | $48,030 |
| Delaware | 1,590 | $71,360 | $34.31 | $102,510 | $47,760 |
| District of Columbia | 5,340 | $94,290 | $45.33 | $126,940 | $58,080 |
| Florida | 35,020 | $61,830 | $29.72 | $86,030 | $38,600 |
| Georgia | 12,440 | $61,210 | $29.43 | $90,810 | $35,880 |
| Hawaii | 1,170 | $64,250 | $30.89 | $86,240 | $43,760 |
| Idaho | 1,720 | $52,980 | $25.47 | $77,540 | $30,240 |
| Illinois | 15,780 | $63,340 | $30.45 | $96,030 | $45,540 |
| Indiana | 5,550 | $56,480 | $27.15 | $81,850 | $37,440 |
| Iowa | 2,520 | $59,610 | $28.66 | $83,700 | $38,180 |
| Kansas | 3,050 | $53,310 | $25.63 | $81,380 | $36,210 |
| Kentucky | 2,590 | $53,910 | $25.92 | $74,490 | $37,690 |
| Louisiana | 4,860 | $53,980 | $25.95 | $79,930 | $35,580 |
| Maine | 1,260 | $59,800 | $28.75 | $77,280 | $45,010 |
| Maryland | 6,190 | $68,070 | $32.73 | $94,100 | $43,480 |
| Massachusetts | 7,520 | $74,710 | $35.92 | $102,520 | $47,690 |
| Michigan | 7,580 | $63,460 | $30.51 | $85,750 | $40,450 |
| Minnesota | 5,650 | $68,410 | $32.89 | $97,230 | $39,790 |
| Mississippi | 1,980 | $46,620 | $22.41 | $67,020 | $35,290 |
| Missouri | 5,640 | $61,100 | $29.38 | $80,660 | $37,950 |
| Montana | 1,130 | $58,310 | $28.03 | $79,800 | $45,720 |
| Nebraska | 1,420 | $60,580 | $29.12 | $84,050 | $42,020 |
| Nevada | 3,360 | $61,200 | $29.43 | $81,500 | $33,810 |
| New Hampshire | 1,460 | $59,810 | $28.76 | $81,700 | $38,240 |
| New Jersey | 11,440 | $70,380 | $33.84 | $99,210 | $42,920 |
| New Mexico | 1,850 | $56,840 | $27.33 | $74,480 | $42,010 |
| New York | 30,930 | $78,850 | $37.91 | $128,400 | $50,010 |
| North Carolina | 12,160 | $57,860 | $27.82 | $83,880 | $37,650 |
| North Dakota | 690 | $55,940 | $26.89 | $73,680 | $40,260 |
| Ohio | 8,910 | $57,360 | $27.58 | $81,220 | $36,030 |
| Oklahoma | 2,790 | $56,430 | $27.13 | $79,000 | $37,340 |
| Oregon | 5,010 | $69,100 | $33.22 | $95,190 | $47,650 |
| Pennsylvania | 12,530 | $65,940 | $31.70 | $95,260 | $42,570 |
| Rhode Island | 1,450 | $70,220 | $33.76 | $94,450 | $49,980 |
| South Carolina | 7,050 | $50,820 | $24.43 | $68,540 | $35,560 |
| South Dakota | 470 | $59,560 | $28.64 | $75,840 | $44,550 |
| Tennessee | 5,360 | $56,440 | $27.14 | $83,430 | $35,360 |
| Texas | 28,140 | $63,720 | $30.64 | $97,280 | $37,690 |
| Utah | 3,190 | $57,440 | $27.61 | $80,620 | $39,750 |
| Vermont | 620 | $61,990 | $29.80 | $77,190 | $48,420 |
| Virginia | 9,460 | $63,820 | $30.68 | $93,670 | $38,170 |
| Washington | 7,960 | $75,560 | $36.33 | $107,500 | $47,840 |
| West Virginia | 1,780 | $56,870 | $27.34 | $83,200 | $32,610 |
| Wisconsin | 4,640 | $57,750 | $27.77 | $79,370 | $40,670 |
| Wyoming | 400 | $56,870 | $27.34 | $82,400 | $39,000 |
| Guam | 60 | $43,360 | $20.85 | $72,950 | $24,560 |
| Puerto Rico | ** | $39,350 | $18.92 | $58,720 | $23,420 |
| Virgin Islands | 80 | $53,080 | $25.52 | $64,670 | $40,000 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
The top earning state in the field is District of Columbia, where the average salary is $94,290.
These are the top 10 earning states in the field:
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
It’s such an impactful area of law that helps people through important life transitions. Are there any certifications or specific skills that are especially valuable in this role?
This is a great resource for anyone interested in family law. I’d love to hear from those in the field—what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a family law paralegal, and what advice would you give to someone just starting out?