Freelance Paralegal v. Independent Paralegal

I feel compelled to write this, my second blog, because a couple of friends, upon learning that I was becoming a freelance paralegal, asked me if I could prepare wills for them, which is, in fact, asking me to work for them as an independent paralegal.  There is a big difference between being “freelance” and “independent.”

Being a freelance paralegal means that I own my own business and work for attorneys on an as-needed basis who cannot, or do not want to, hire a full-time employee to help handle a burdensome workload.  An independent paralegal also usually owns his or her own business, but provides legal services directly to the consuming public in matters which allows them to prepare documents only when the information needed is common knowledge or considered to be basic information…or it’s supposed to be that way, at least.  An independent paralegal does not work under the supervision of an attorney.

Needless to say, I told my friends “no” to the will work.  I can refer them to attorneys I know that do that type of work, all day long.  I know a lot of attorneys!

Keep in mind that anyone can prepare his or her own legal documents, and represent themselves in court, should they feel so inclined, which is called “going pro se.”  This can be a risky undertaking due to the complexities of the law, and because chances are, the party on the other side does have an attorney.  Don’t think that an attorney will go easy on you because you don’t have an attorney of your own standing beside you.