Child Support- Legal Specialist

Legal Specialist

The Legal Specialist provides technical legal and clerical support for the Child Support Agency (CSA). This position researches, analyzes, and/or interprets court orders and case situations, independently drafts legal documents, and conducts order revision activities ensuring timely notice and adherence to legal requirements.

Practices standard office etiquette and procedures; prepares court calendar and maintains Assistant Corporation Counsel calendar for child support matters; distributes court calendar to appropriate parties including agency staff, Corporation Counsel, Clerk of Courts, Family Court Commissioner, Judicial Assistants, and Judges; coordinates and schedules pre-trial conferences; maintains e-filing queue; distributes documents to the assigned worker and provides copies to appropriate parties.

Directs legal terminology knowledge to compose, update, and verify legal documents in a timely and accurate manner; drafts and prepares legal documents for service of process, summons and petitions, reviews and modifications, orders to show cause, notices of motion, and all related appearance process documents; ensures that legal documents are reviewed and signed by appropriate official(s); reviews Agency file information to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to hearings.

Transfers awareness of Wisconsin Statues as they pertain to child support, and the legal process to support and protect the CSA with cases; determines service of process requirements based on type of legal action, timeframe for court actions, and location of party(s) requiring services; notifies service of process vendors, forwards documents, coordinates pre-payment if necessary; serves parties in the Child Support Agency or jail or arranges for service of papers;

assists and directs Child Support Specialists regarding the correct legal procedures.

Takes detailed notes while attending court hearings; incorporates essential details in preparing resulting orders or related legal documents; refers legal documents to appropriate official(s) for review; reviews court files to glean relevant information regarding child support and/or maintenance orders to ensure or clarify continuity of order.

Reviews and manages multiple cases with minimal supervision to expedite workflow and achieve greater departmental performance and productivity; adapts to changes in priority to meet deadlines.

Computes basic math calculations to determine income withholding requirements; prepares income withholding orders and income withholding terminations as directed.

Maintains knowledge of and proficiency in multiple data systems, policies, and procedures; maintains reference manuals, statutes, bulletins, policies, and procedures as needed to keep current with various legal document wording and program changes and requirements.

Performs various records management duties complying with established guidelines; maintains controls to ensure expeditious preparation and filing of documents; updates case files and performs computer data entry; reviews orders, documents, information, court dates, and other pertinent information; interprets child support/maintenance orders; researches court files and interprets court orders to obtain information for income assignments; notifies probate and bankruptcy court when the case involves child support;

prepares income withholding notices to employers; follows retention and destruction procedures.

Assists in establishing paternity for non-marital children either administratively or judicially; prepares summons, petitions, and notices to the parties; prepares Guardian Ad Litem petition, order, and consent forms; schedules genetic testing and prepares documentation for testing lab;…