CP Exam Cheat Sheets
Quick reference guides for every content area on the NALA Certified Paralegal exam. Bookmark this page for fast review sessions.
These cheat sheets distill the most tested concepts from each CP exam content area into quick-reference format. Use them for final review sessions, not as a substitute for deep study. For comprehensive coverage, see our topic deep dives and study plan.
Civil Litigation Timeline
Civil Litigation15% of exam- Complaint filing and service of process (Rule 4)
- Answer due within 21 days (or 60 if waiver of service)
- Discovery phase: interrogatories, depositions, RFPs, RFAs
- Motion for Summary Judgment (Rule 56)
- Pre-trial conference and trial
- Post-trial motions and appeals (30 days for notice of appeal)
Ethics Quick Reference
Professional Ethics15% of exam- Paralegals cannot give legal advice, set fees, or represent clients in court (UPL)
- Duty of confidentiality applies to all client information, not just privileged communications
- Conflicts of interest must be identified and disclosed immediately
- Paralegal must disclose their non-lawyer status to clients and third parties
- Attorney retains ultimate responsibility for paralegal work product
- NALA Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Paralegals
Contract Formation Elements
Contracts10% of exam- Offer: definite terms, communicated to offeree, intent to be bound
- Acceptance: mirror image rule (common law), additional terms (UCC 2-207)
- Consideration: bargained-for exchange of legal value
- Capacity: minors, mental incapacity, intoxication
- Legality: contract must be for a lawful purpose
- Statute of Frauds: contracts that must be in writing (MYLEGS mnemonic)
Court System Structure
US Legal System15% of exam- Federal courts: District (trial), Circuit (appeal), Supreme Court
- State courts: Trial courts of general/limited jurisdiction, appellate, supreme
- Subject matter jurisdiction: federal question (28 USC 1331) and diversity (28 USC 1332, $75,000+)
- Personal jurisdiction: minimum contacts, long-arm statutes
- Venue: district where events occurred or defendant resides
- Erie Doctrine: federal courts apply state substantive law in diversity cases
Tort Law Essentials
Torts7% of exam- Negligence elements: duty, breach, causation (actual + proximate), damages
- Intentional torts: assault, battery, false imprisonment, IIED, trespass, conversion
- Strict liability: abnormally dangerous activities, product liability
- Defenses: contributory negligence, comparative fault, assumption of risk
- Damages: compensatory (special + general), punitive, nominal
- Respondeat superior: employer liability for employee torts within scope of employment
Criminal Law & Procedure
Criminal Law7% of exam- 4th Amendment: search and seizure, warrant requirement, probable cause
- 5th Amendment: self-incrimination, double jeopardy, due process, Miranda rights
- 6th Amendment: right to counsel, speedy trial, confrontation clause
- Elements of a crime: actus reus (act) + mens rea (intent)
- Levels of mens rea: purposely, knowingly, recklessly, negligently
- Burden of proof: beyond a reasonable doubt (criminal) vs. preponderance (civil)
Estate Planning Basics
Estate Planning7% of exam- Will requirements: writing, signature, witnesses (usually 2), testamentary capacity
- Intestacy: property distribution without a valid will (state law governs)
- Trusts: revocable (living) vs. irrevocable, trustee duties, beneficiary rights
- Probate process: filing, notice to creditors, inventory, distribution, closing
- Advance directives: living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship vs. tenancy in common
Real Estate Transactions
Real Estate7% of exam- Types of deeds: general warranty, special warranty, quitclaim
- Recording statutes: race, notice, race-notice
- Title search and title insurance
- Mortgage basics: promissory note, deed of trust, foreclosure process
- Landlord-tenant: lease types, eviction procedures, security deposits
- Zoning and land use regulations
Corporate Law Fundamentals
Corporate & Commercial Law10% of exam- Entity types: sole proprietorship, partnership (GP/LP/LLP), LLC, corporation (S/C)
- Corporate formation: articles of incorporation, bylaws, registered agent
- Fiduciary duties: duty of care, duty of loyalty, business judgment rule
- Piercing the corporate veil: alter ego, undercapitalization, fraud
- UCC Article 2: sales of goods, merchant rules, warranties
- Securities basics: SEC registration, exempt offerings, insider trading
Bankruptcy Overview
Bankruptcy7% of exam- Chapter 7: liquidation, means test, exempt vs. non-exempt property
- Chapter 13: wage earner plan, 3-5 year repayment, disposable income test
- Chapter 11: business reorganization, plan of reorganization, creditor committees
- Automatic stay: halts all collection actions upon filing (362)
- Discharge: debts eliminated vs. non-dischargeable (student loans, taxes, fraud)
- Priority of claims: secured, priority unsecured, general unsecured
How to use these cheat sheets
Quick morning review
Read through one or two cheat sheets each morning before your main study session. This primes your brain for the content area you will be studying in depth.
Pre-exam final review
Review all cheat sheets the day before your exam. They cover the highest-yield facts and rules that are most likely to appear on the test.
Pair with flashcards
After reviewing a cheat sheet, test yourself on the same content area using CP exam flashcards. This combines recognition with active recall.
Identify weak spots
If you cannot explain every item on a cheat sheet from memory, that content area needs more study. Use our topic deep dives to fill the gaps.
Go beyond cheat sheets
ParalegalPrep has 1,000+ flashcards, practice exams, and detailed explanations for every concept on this page.
ParalegalPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by NALA. "Certified Paralegal" and "CP" are trademarks of NALA.