Licensed Legal Paraprofessional (LLP) Scope of Practice
LLPs are licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court to perform certain types of legal services under the conditions set forth by the Court pursuant to C.R.C.P. Rule 207.1. LLPs do not include individuals with a general license to practice law in Colorado.
The LLP’s scope of licensure is limited:
LLPs may represent clients to perform certain tasks and services in a legal separation, declaration of invalidity of marriage, or dissolution of a marriage or civil union.
LLPs may represent clients to perform certain tasks and services in an initial allocation or a modification of an allocation of parental responsibility ("APR") matter, including parentage determinations.
LLPs may represent clients to perform certain tasks and services in a matter involving establishment or modification of child support and/or maintenance.
LLPs may represent clients to perform certain tasks and services related to protection orders, name changes, and adult gender designation changes.
LLPs may file and respond to motions for remedial contempt citations under C.R.C.P. 107 for clients.
Within the above types of matters in which LLPs are authorized to practice law, LLPs may represent the interests of clients by:
Establishing a contractual relationship with clients.
Interviewing clients to understand their objectives and obtaining information relevant to achieving that objective.
Informing, counseling, advising, and assisting clients in determining which form (among those approved by the Judicial Department or the Supreme Court) to use as the basis for a document in a matter, and advising Client on how to complete a form or provide information for a document.
Preparing and completing documents using forms approved by the Judicial Department or the Supreme Court, including proposed parenting plans, separation agreements, motions or stipulations for establishing or modifying child support, child support worksheets, proposed orders, nonappearance affidavits, discovery requests and answers to discovery requests, trial management certificates, pretrial submissions, and exhibit and witness lists.
Obtaining, explaining, and filing any document or necessary information in support of a form or other document, including sworn financial statements and certificates of compliance.
Signing, filing, and completing service of documents.
Reviewing documents of another party or documents and forms prepared by a pension or retirement plan which allocate pension or retirement benefits pursuant to a decree of dissolution, and explaining them to clients.
Informing, counseling, assisting and advocating for clients in negotiations with another party or that party’s representative and in mediations.
Filling in, signing, filing, and completing service of a written settlement agreement in conformity with the negotiated agreement.
Communicating with another party or the party’s representative regarding documents prepared for or filed in a case and matters reasonably related thereto.
Communicating with clients regarding the matter and related issues.
Explaining a court order that affects a client’s rights and obligations.
Standing or sitting at counsel table with a client during a court proceeding to provide emotional support, communicating with a client during the proceeding, making statements and arguments in court other than examining a witness, answering questions posed by the court, addressing the court upon the court's request, taking notes, and assisting clients in understanding the proceeding and relevant orders.
Providing clients with information about additional resources or requirements, such as parenting education classes, and filing certificates of completion with the court.
Advising clients regarding the need for a lawyer to review complex issues that may arise in a matter
LLPs are not authorized to represent clients in any of the following:
The registration of foreign orders.
Motions for or orders regarding punitive contempt citations under C.R.C.P. 107.
Matters involving an allegation of common law marriage matters involving an allegation of common law marriage in which either party disputes the existence of a common law marriage or the date when the common law marriage formed.
Matters involving disputed parentage where there are more than two parents or alleged parents asserting or denying legal parentage.
Matters in which a non-parent’s request for APR is contested by at least one parent.
Preparation of or litigation regarding pre- or post-nuptial agreements.
Matters in which a party is a beneficiary of a trust and information about the trust will be relevant to resolution of the matter.
Matters in which a party intends to contest jurisdiction of the court over any issue in the matter.
Preparation by LLP of a qualified domestic relations order ("QDRO") or other document allocating retirement assets that are not liquid at the time of the matter.
Preparation by LLP of documents needed to effectuate the sale or distribution of assets of a business entity or commercial property.
Matters in which an expert report or testimony is required to value an asset or determine income due to the inherent complexity of the asset or income at issue.
Issues collateral to, but directly affecting, a matter which falls within LLP's scope of practice when such issues require analysis and advice outside that scope of practice, such as immigration, criminal, and bankruptcy issues that could directly affect the resolution of the matter.
If the matter goes to a hearing, LLP is not authorized to conduct an examination of a witness.