Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals (LLP) - Colorado Divorce

I was interested recently to learn that in Colorado divorce cases, 75% of people do not have lawyers – they go to court on their own. The general reason is that people either don’t want to use a lawyer, or they think that lawyers are too expensive or too contentious, or all of those things. 

So the Colorado Courts have been working on a solution, and the result is the creation of a new type of legal reprentative called a Limited License Practitioner (LLP). LLPs will generally be experienced paralegals who have taken additional training and testing to qualify to be able to perform additional duties.

 LLPs represent a significant shift in the landscape of family law representation. They will be authorized to advise and represent clients across a spectrum of family law matters, including pivotal issues such as marital or civil union dissolutions, legal separations, parental responsibility allocations, child support disputes, name changes, protective orders, adult gender designation changes, and remedial contempt proceedings.

The role of the LLP extends beyond mere advisory capacity. An LLP will be equipped to provide comprehensive assistance, ranging from offering legal counsel and guidance to the meticulous preparation and filing of court documents. They will also play a crucial role in facilitating mediation processes aimed at resolving disputes amicably. Moreover, subject to certain limitations, LLPs can represent clients in hearings, thereby providing a holistic legal support system.

However, it’s imperative to note that LLPs will not operate in isolation. While they possess the expertise to handle various legal matters, there are specific issues where their involvement necessitates oversight by a licensed attorney. This collaborative approach ensures that clients receive adept legal assistance while upholding standards of professional conduct and ethical integrity.

To qualify as an LLP, individuals must undergo rigorous evaluation. This entails demonstrating proficiency through the successful completion of examinations in family law and legal ethics. Only upon meeting these stringent criteria will LLPs be granted licensure, thereby ensuring they possess the requisite knowledge and competence to navigate complex legal scenarios effectively.

 LLPs introduce the availability of a more accessible and affordable legal service paradigm. This innovation holds particular significance for people who cannot afford  full attorney representation. By offering a cost-effective alternative, LLPs make access to legal assistance more easily available, empowering a broader spectrum of clients to assert their rights and navigate the intricacies of the legal system effectively.

LLPs will be ready to start practising sometime in the second half of 2024. 

More information on LLPs