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GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Performs paralegal tasks related to the investigation, preparation and participation in legal proceedings of Friend of the Court; Interviews parties to obtain and evaluate information necessary to determine the proper course of action based upon department guidelines; Negotiates recommended consent support orders and forwards recommended order to an attorney for approval; Performs legal research; Prepares support order, petitions, complaints, and affidavits; Responds to mail inquiries; Work involves the use of judgment and discretion; Works under supervision of an attorney or supervisor; Performs related duties as required.

STATEMENT OF TASKS:
Conducts personal, detailed interviews with potential clients to verify that requirements for child support are met;
Obtains and evaluates client's income information, child care needs and confinement expenses;
Reviews visitation concerns, explains procedures, and determines the credibility of the client;
Investigates and summarizes the facts of potential or pending cases;
Maintains files on the status of cases and maintains cross files;
Receives and processes mail including preparing written responses;
Identifies potential welfare fraud issues;
Reviews financial information to determine net income;
Uses established guidelines to calculate child support, child care requirements, custody and visitation provisions, health care responsibilities, confinement costs, reimbursement to DSS, child support arrearage, court costs and attorney fees;
Conducts client interviews to answer interrogatories;
Drafts pleadings and other legal documents including non-form orders;
Prepares various legal documents necessary to the judicial process;
Forwards resolved and documented cases to an attorney for review, court scheduling and finalization;
Discusses resolved and unresolved cases with an attorney as needed;
Conducts and performs legal research and follow-up as required;
Assists attorneys in the trial process, including gathering witnesses, preparing clients to testify, and review of pleadings, correspondence and other information required;
Schedules and conducts settlement conferences;
Tracks cases and performs necessary follow up assignments;
Ensures that subpoenas are prepared and properly served;
Maintains and updates a law library;
Monitors recent and proposed legislation, case law, and administrative regulations and reports on any potential impact upon Friend of the Court activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Associate’s Degree in an accredited Paralegal Program, Criminal Justice or other social science field and one (1) year of experience as a Paralegal

-OR-

Thirty (30) semester hours from an accredited college and five (5) years’ experience in a Friend of the Court office

-OR-

Three (3) years’ experience as a Paralegal

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of Michigan civil procedures and the preparation and filing of court documents;
Knowledge of PC operation and ability to learn software;
Knowledge of legal research resources and techniques;
Knowledge of the judicial process;
Ability to present statements of fact and law and arguments clearly and logically in writing;
Ability to make general decisions in accordance with departmental policies and procedures;
Ability to identify legal issues and apply legal principles;
Ability to analyze and appraise facts, evidence, and precedent;
Ability to maintain necessary records;
Ability to conduct effective personal interviews;
Ability to communicate with the general public;
Ability to follow complex oral and written instructions;
Ability to perform mathematical computations;
Ability to attend work regularly and work under stressful conditions.