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NORTH CAROLINA PARALEGAL
CERTIFICATION EXAM | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | STUDY GUIDE
Table of Contents
1. Communication and Client Interaction
2. Organization and Case Management
3. Documentation and Drafting
4. Analysis and Legal Reasoning
5. Legal Research and Writing
6. Civil Litigation Procedure
7. Commercial Law and Contracts
8. Criminal Law and Procedure
9. Ethics and Professional Responsibility
10. Family Law
11. Real Property
12. Wills, Trusts, and Estate Administration
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Question 1: A lawyer asks a paralegal to establish the attorney-client relationship with a new
client by signing a retainer agreement and collecting the initial fee. How should the paralegal
respond?
A) Sign the retainer agreement on the lawyer's behalf and collect the fee
B) Explain that only the lawyer may establish the attorney-client relationship
C) Ask the client to sign the agreement and then have the lawyer countersign
D) Prepare the agreement for the lawyer's review and signature
Correct Answer: B) Explain that only the lawyer may establish the attorney-client
relationship
Establishing the attorney-client relationship is a non-delegable duty that requires the
lawyer's professional judgment, including determining conflicts of interest and setting fee
arrangements. Under the North Carolina State Bar Guidelines for Use of Paralegals, a
paralegal may not establish the lawyer-client relationship. The paralegal should defer this
task to the supervising attorney.
Question 2: Under North Carolina Rule of Professional Conduct 5.3, what is the supervising
lawyer's responsibility regarding a paralegal's conduct?
A) The lawyer has no responsibility for a paralegal's actions
B) The lawyer must ensure the paralegal's conduct is compatible with the lawyer's
professional obligations
C) The lawyer may delegate any task to a paralegal without supervision
D) The lawyer must personally perform all tasks assigned to a paralegal
Correct Answer: B) The lawyer must ensure the paralegal's conduct is compatible with
the lawyer's professional obligations
Rule 5.3 requires lawyers with direct supervisory authority over a nonlawyer to make
reasonable efforts to ensure that the nonlawyer's conduct is compatible with the professional
obligations of the lawyer. This includes instructing the paralegal on ethical requirements and
monitoring their work.
Question 3: A client asks a paralegal, "What are my chances of winning this lawsuit?" What
is the paralegal's most appropriate response?
A) Provide an honest assessment based on prior similar cases
B) Explain that only the attorney can give legal advice and offer to schedule a meeting
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C) Research the issue and provide a written prediction
D) Tell the client that the case is very strong to provide reassurance
Correct Answer: B) Explain that only the attorney can give legal advice and offer to
schedule a meeting
Giving legal advice, including predicting case outcomes, constitutes the unauthorized
practice of law (UPL) under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 84-2.1. Paralegals may communicate with
clients about factual matters and case status but must defer legal questions to the supervising
attorney. Providing reassurance without legal basis could also mislead the client.
Question 4: A paralegal is preparing a client file for closing. According to proper file
organization practices, what should be done with original documents provided by the client?
A) Discard them after scanning
B) Return originals to the client and retain copies
C) Keep originals permanently in the firm's files
D) Send originals to the court for safekeeping
Correct Answer: B) Return originals to the client and retain copies
Best practices for file closing require returning original documents to the client and retaining
copies for the firm's records, subject to the firm's retention policy. Keeping originals without
the client's consent could deprive the client of important documents. Courts do not accept
documents for safekeeping.
Question 5: When may a file be properly closed?
A) When the final bill is mailed
B) After the final action in the case and all matters are concluded
C) December 31 of each year regardless of case status
D) When the responsible lawyer leaves the firm
Correct Answer: B) After the final action in the case and all matters are concluded
A file should be closed after the final action in the case and all related matters—including
appeals, collection of judgments, and return of client property—are concluded. Closing a file
prematurely risks losing important documents and failing to complete the representation.
Question 6: Which task may a lawyer NOT delegate to a paralegal under the North Carolina
Rules of Professional Conduct?
, Page |4
A) Preparing a standard form document for attorney review
B) Establishing the lawyer-client relationship
C) Filing documents with the court
D) Handling procedural or administrative matters
Correct Answer: B) Establishing the lawyer-client relationship
Establishing the lawyer-client relationship is a non-delegable duty that only the lawyer may
perform. It involves determining whether to accept representation, identifying conflicts of
interest, and setting the terms of the engagement. Paralegals may prepare documents and
handle procedural matters under attorney supervision.
Question 7: A civil defendant does not answer a complaint by the deadline for responding.
What can the plaintiff request?
A) Res judicata
B) A default summons
C) A summary ejectment
D) A default judgment
Correct Answer: D) A default judgment
Under the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, if a defendant fails to answer a
complaint within the time allowed, the plaintiff may apply to the clerk for a default judgment.
A default judgment is a judgment entered against a party who has failed to plead or
otherwise defend. Res judicata and summary ejectment are unrelated concepts.
Question 8: What is the function of a Notary Public in the execution of a deed?
A) To probate the signature
B) To execute the signature
C) To acknowledge the signature of each grantor
D) To stamp the document
Correct Answer: C) To acknowledge the signature of each grantor
A Notary Public's function in a deed is to acknowledge the signature of each grantor,
meaning the notary confirms the identity of the signer and that the signer executed the
document voluntarily. Probate is the process by which the Register of Deeds certifies the
notary's acknowledgment.
NORTH CAROLINA PARALEGAL
CERTIFICATION EXAM | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | STUDY GUIDE
Table of Contents
1. Communication and Client Interaction
2. Organization and Case Management
3. Documentation and Drafting
4. Analysis and Legal Reasoning
5. Legal Research and Writing
6. Civil Litigation Procedure
7. Commercial Law and Contracts
8. Criminal Law and Procedure
9. Ethics and Professional Responsibility
10. Family Law
11. Real Property
12. Wills, Trusts, and Estate Administration
, Page |2
Question 1: A lawyer asks a paralegal to establish the attorney-client relationship with a new
client by signing a retainer agreement and collecting the initial fee. How should the paralegal
respond?
A) Sign the retainer agreement on the lawyer's behalf and collect the fee
B) Explain that only the lawyer may establish the attorney-client relationship
C) Ask the client to sign the agreement and then have the lawyer countersign
D) Prepare the agreement for the lawyer's review and signature
Correct Answer: B) Explain that only the lawyer may establish the attorney-client
relationship
Establishing the attorney-client relationship is a non-delegable duty that requires the
lawyer's professional judgment, including determining conflicts of interest and setting fee
arrangements. Under the North Carolina State Bar Guidelines for Use of Paralegals, a
paralegal may not establish the lawyer-client relationship. The paralegal should defer this
task to the supervising attorney.
Question 2: Under North Carolina Rule of Professional Conduct 5.3, what is the supervising
lawyer's responsibility regarding a paralegal's conduct?
A) The lawyer has no responsibility for a paralegal's actions
B) The lawyer must ensure the paralegal's conduct is compatible with the lawyer's
professional obligations
C) The lawyer may delegate any task to a paralegal without supervision
D) The lawyer must personally perform all tasks assigned to a paralegal
Correct Answer: B) The lawyer must ensure the paralegal's conduct is compatible with
the lawyer's professional obligations
Rule 5.3 requires lawyers with direct supervisory authority over a nonlawyer to make
reasonable efforts to ensure that the nonlawyer's conduct is compatible with the professional
obligations of the lawyer. This includes instructing the paralegal on ethical requirements and
monitoring their work.
Question 3: A client asks a paralegal, "What are my chances of winning this lawsuit?" What
is the paralegal's most appropriate response?
A) Provide an honest assessment based on prior similar cases
B) Explain that only the attorney can give legal advice and offer to schedule a meeting
, Page |3
C) Research the issue and provide a written prediction
D) Tell the client that the case is very strong to provide reassurance
Correct Answer: B) Explain that only the attorney can give legal advice and offer to
schedule a meeting
Giving legal advice, including predicting case outcomes, constitutes the unauthorized
practice of law (UPL) under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 84-2.1. Paralegals may communicate with
clients about factual matters and case status but must defer legal questions to the supervising
attorney. Providing reassurance without legal basis could also mislead the client.
Question 4: A paralegal is preparing a client file for closing. According to proper file
organization practices, what should be done with original documents provided by the client?
A) Discard them after scanning
B) Return originals to the client and retain copies
C) Keep originals permanently in the firm's files
D) Send originals to the court for safekeeping
Correct Answer: B) Return originals to the client and retain copies
Best practices for file closing require returning original documents to the client and retaining
copies for the firm's records, subject to the firm's retention policy. Keeping originals without
the client's consent could deprive the client of important documents. Courts do not accept
documents for safekeeping.
Question 5: When may a file be properly closed?
A) When the final bill is mailed
B) After the final action in the case and all matters are concluded
C) December 31 of each year regardless of case status
D) When the responsible lawyer leaves the firm
Correct Answer: B) After the final action in the case and all matters are concluded
A file should be closed after the final action in the case and all related matters—including
appeals, collection of judgments, and return of client property—are concluded. Closing a file
prematurely risks losing important documents and failing to complete the representation.
Question 6: Which task may a lawyer NOT delegate to a paralegal under the North Carolina
Rules of Professional Conduct?
, Page |4
A) Preparing a standard form document for attorney review
B) Establishing the lawyer-client relationship
C) Filing documents with the court
D) Handling procedural or administrative matters
Correct Answer: B) Establishing the lawyer-client relationship
Establishing the lawyer-client relationship is a non-delegable duty that only the lawyer may
perform. It involves determining whether to accept representation, identifying conflicts of
interest, and setting the terms of the engagement. Paralegals may prepare documents and
handle procedural matters under attorney supervision.
Question 7: A civil defendant does not answer a complaint by the deadline for responding.
What can the plaintiff request?
A) Res judicata
B) A default summons
C) A summary ejectment
D) A default judgment
Correct Answer: D) A default judgment
Under the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, if a defendant fails to answer a
complaint within the time allowed, the plaintiff may apply to the clerk for a default judgment.
A default judgment is a judgment entered against a party who has failed to plead or
otherwise defend. Res judicata and summary ejectment are unrelated concepts.
Question 8: What is the function of a Notary Public in the execution of a deed?
A) To probate the signature
B) To execute the signature
C) To acknowledge the signature of each grantor
D) To stamp the document
Correct Answer: C) To acknowledge the signature of each grantor
A Notary Public's function in a deed is to acknowledge the signature of each grantor,
meaning the notary confirms the identity of the signer and that the signer executed the
document voluntarily. Probate is the process by which the Register of Deeds certifies the
notary's acknowledgment.
