What is a Legal Paraprofessional?

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Lacking the funds to hire an attorney is a big problem in the U.S., but a new alternative to using an attorney for your divorce was recently made legal in Arizona. Combining the detail work and "heavy lifting" of document preparation from a paralegal, and mixing in the courtroom work of an attorney, is the newly designated licensed Legal Paraprofessional.

In today's Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio talks with Christy Farmer, one of the first LP's licensed in Arizona and already taking on divorce cases that would otherwise need an attorney. Christy describes what it takes to step into this new role and how she has adapted from being a paralegal to standing up in court and arguing cases for clients. Hint: She loves that part!

So far, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Minnesota have active licensing programs, while California, New Mexico, South Carolina and North Carolina are considering creating of similar programs to help legal consumers.