Licensed Legal Professionals: A Cost-Effective Option for Non-Complex Divorces in Colorado

As a financial professional who often works with clients navigating the financial complexities of divorce, I’m always looking for ways to help families manage the process more effectively. One significant development in Colorado is the introduction of “Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals” (LLPs), a new profession designed to make divorce and other legal matters more accessible and affordable for families with less complex cases.  

First introduced as a new legal occupation designation in 2024, working with an LLP could significantly help couples looking to reduce legal fees while still receiving essential support during their divorce. In this post, we answer your top questions about LLPs and help you decide if they might be a good fit for your situation.  

What Are Licensed Legal Professionals?  

Licensed Legal Professionals (LLPs), also known as Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals, are non-attorney legal professionals trained and authorized to handle specific legal tasks for individuals navigating family law matters. They fill a critical gap in the legal system by providing more affordable legal assistance while maintaining a high standard of professionalism.  

To ensure LLPs are qualified to assist clients, Colorado has implemented rigorous standards, including:  

• Education: Specialized training focused on family law and coursework to gain practical experience.
• Experience: Over 1500 hours of experience working as a paralegal, including 500 hours in the area of family law. 
• Testing: A professional exam that demonstrates knowledge of Colorado law.  
• Ethics and Oversight: Adherence to strict ethical guidelines and ongoing oversight by the state government. 

What Can LLPs Do?  

LLPs are authorized to perform many of the same tasks that attorneys handle in family law cases. This includes:  

• Preparing and filing legal documents (e.g., divorce petitions, parenting plans).  
• Providing legal advice within their authorized scope.  
• Assisting with negotiations and mediations.  
• Helping clients understand their rights and obligations.  
• Support cases that involve child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, and the modification or enforcement of orders.

What are the limitations of LLPs?  

While LLPs can provide significant support, there are limitations to their scope of practice. For example, they cannot:

• Represent clients in court, although they can sit with their clients in the courtroom and advise them.  
• Handle highly complex cases, such as those involving significant assets, contested custody disputes, or allegations of abuse.  
• Provide legal services outside their specific area of authorization.  

If your divorce involves high-conflict issues, complex financial arrangements, or requires litigation, you’ll still need the expertise of an experienced attorney.  

Who might benefit from working with an LLP?  

LLPs are an excellent fit for couples who have:  

• Are pursuing an amicable or uncontested divorce. 
• Have relatively straightforward finances.  
• Agree on custody arrangements, child support, parenting plans, and spousal maintenance.
• Agree on key issues like property division or have very little property to divide.
• Want to minimize legal costs while receiving professional guidance.  

By working with an LLP, parties can resolve their divorce more efficiently and allocate saved resources toward their new financial futures.  

How do LLPs help a divorcing couple’s finances?

Divorce is not just an emotional journey; it’s also a financial one. As a financial professional, I’ve seen how high legal fees can deplete resources that could otherwise go toward retirement, education, or rebuilding post-divorce. By making legal support more accessible, LLPs can help families navigate the process and minimize unnecessary financial strain.  

However, it’s important to remember that cost savings shouldn’t come at the expense of proper legal or financial planning. Even if you work with an LLP, consider consulting with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) to ensure that your financial decisions are informed and aligned with your long-term goals.  

Introducing Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals in Colorado represents a step toward a more equitable legal system for all income classes. If you’re considering divorce and think an LLP might be beneficial in guiding your situation, visit the State of Colorado website to learn more about how LLPs might address your legal needs.

Divorce is never easy, but with the right support, both legal and financial, you can navigate the process with confidence and clarity. As a financial professional, I can assist in planning, preparing for mediation/negotiations, or reviewing agreements alongside an LLP. If you’re preparing for divorce and need help understanding the financial implications, reach out today. I’m here to help you build a solid financial future so you can thrive in the next phase of your life.