THE MATERIAL IS HIGHLY SELECTIVE AND CONCERNS ONLY THE USUAL AND MOST TYPICAL LEGAL PROCEDURES. IT BEGINS WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE PARALEGAL ROLE IN SPECIALTY AREAS, PROBATE, CIVIL LITIGATION, CRIMINAL LAW PROCEDURES, LAW OFFICE ADMINISTRATION, REAL ESTATE LAW, AND ACCOUNTING, AND THEN DESCRIBES THE USE OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM. THE HANDBOOK OUTLINES GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE SCOPE AND SOURCE OF LAW AND THE ORGANIZATION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURT SYSTEM. LEGAL PROCEDURE AND RESPONSIBILITIES FROM THE PARALEGALS' POINT OF VIEW ARE COVERED FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF A LAWSUIT, TO PRETRIAL AND TRIAL PROCEDURES, AND FINALLY TO POSTTRIAL DUTIES. SPECIAL AREAS OF LAW ARE REVIEWED IN TERMS OF PARALEGAL FUNCTIONS. THEY INCLUDE PROBATE (ESTATES, WILLS, TAXATION OF ESTATES, LAWS OF SUCCESSION, SALES OF REAL PROPERTY, CONSERVATORSHIP, AND GUARDIANSHIP PROCEEDINGS); CORPORATIONS (ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, FRANCHISE TAX, STOCK); FAMILY LAW (UNCONTESTED CASES, FINANCIAL DECLARATION, LEGAL SEPARATION, DEFAULT, BREACH OF LEASE, SERVICE OF NOTICES); BANKRUPTCY; CRIMINAL LAW; ADOPTIONS; WRITS; UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (HEARINGS, WITNESSES, EVIDENCE); AND APPEALS. THE FINAL SECTION OF THE HANDBOOK FOCUSES ON STEPS TO TAKE IN LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING AND DISCUSSES REALMS OF LEGAL RESEARCH, STATUTE BOOKS, REPORTS OF COURT DECISIONS, AUXILIARY BOOKS, SELECTIVE REPORTING OF CASES AND FORMAT OF REPORTED DECISIONS, WRITING THE EFFECTIVE APPELLATE BRIEF, AND LEGAL CALENDARING. A CHAPTER ON ETHICS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS IS INCLUDED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS INFORMATION ON EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFIED LEGAL ASSISTANTS, ASSOCIATIONS OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTIONS OFFERING LEGAL ASSISTANTS TRAINING PROGRAMS, AN INDEX TO THE PARALEGAL FORMS AND TABLES