A Licensed Legal Paraprofessional (also known as an LLP) is a new licensure implemented by the Colorado Supreme Court which required candidates to apply to the Bar and pass a rigorous exam to become an LLP.  LLPs are not attorneys with a general license to practice law but have a limited license to assist clients in their domestic/family law matter.

Analogous to a Nurse Practitioner, an LLP can provide legal assistance, advice and guidance to litigants going through the court process.

Would you be surprised to learn that 75% of people in domestic matters have no representation and are “Pro Se”? LLPs can make a significant difference by making legal services more accessible and affordable to individuals and families.

An LLP can help in so many ways, including:

Access to Justice:  LLPs can assist clients who may not be able to afford an attorney.

Costs/Savings:  LLPs can offer services at lower costs than traditional attorneys by providing a more economical option for clients.

Knowledge and Skill:  Most LLPs have extensive experience in family law.  LLPs bring that specific legal experience to help those clients who have no legal knowledge and help them navigate through the legal process of their family law matter.

• Expertise & Competency – LLPs possess extensive experience and skills in family law.

• Rigorous Certification – Must pass a comprehensive exam covering family law, legal procedures, and ethical standards.

• Educational Requirements – Strong academic background with ongoing legal education.

• Defined Scope of Practice – LLPs handle specific family law matters but do not hold a general license to practice law.

• Affordability – More cost-effective than traditional attorneys, making legal services accessible.

• Client Authority – Clients maintain control over the objectives of their representation, similar to working with an attorney.

LLPs can provide assistance in family law matters including Legal Separation, Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage, Dissolution of Marriage, Dissolution of a Civil Union, whether Pre-Decree or Post-Decree, Allocation or Modification of Parental Responsibilities or Parentage cases, Establishment or Modification of Child Support and/or Maintenance, Protection Orders, Names Changes, Adult Gender Designation Changes and Motions for Remedial Contempt Citations under C.R.C.P. 107.

LLPs can represent clients in mediation and negotiate on behalf of their client with the opposing party or opposing counsel.

*LLPs have a limited license to practice in family law and are not licensed to practice in any other areas of law. To review the full text of this Rule, see [Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 207.1]

LLPs have a limited license to practice in family law and are not licensed to practice in any other areas of law. To review the full text of this Rule, see [Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 207.1]

LLPs are not Authorized to Represent a Client in Resolving any of the following Discrete Issues that Arise in an otherwise Authorized Representation:

• The Registration of Foreign Orders;

• Motions for or Orders regarding Punitive Contempt Citations under C.R.C.P. 107;

• 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;

• Disputed parentage where there are more than two parents or alleged parents asserting or denying legal parentage;

• Non-Parent’s request for decision-making authority or parenting time is contested by at least one parent and the Court has determined that the ICWA applies to the proceeding;

• Preparation of or litigation regarding Pre- or Post-Nuptial Agreements;

• Dispute about the value of or income associated with a trust in which a party is a beneficiary;

• Dispute about a Jurisdiction Issue;

• Preparation by the LLP of documents, other than an agreement addressing underlying property division, needed to effectuate the sale or distribution of assets of a business entity or commercial property;

• Issues collateral to, but directly affecting, a matter which falls within the LLP's scope of practice when such issues require analysis and advice outside that scope of practice, such as immigration, criminal, and bankruptcy issues , or the preparation of a qualified domestic relations order "(“QDRO”) or other similar document implementing the division of retirement assets that could directly affect the resolution of the matter.

Many questions about LLPs can be answered on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website at: Frequently Asked Questions About LLPs