Charging for freelance work - suggestions?

mary in Tampa, Florida said: So how come I don't have a job???!!! I must not be impressive enough at interviews!! (Young, cute and perky).

it is the economy....and every woman and man..left without a job today...over 40 something...is having a heck of a problem..

humor...yung , cute and perky.. I know...those will still get hired somehere in any field...

Off Topic: What is your opinion on a former paralegal doing Administrative Law hearings as claimant's rep for a living after working for an attorney who does it in the area.

I wish Colorado allowed paralegals to be "independant" -- like other states. In this way, we can offer some services that are basic like clerical assistance to the consumer. Pro se litigants deserve this much. :(

OMP in Skokie, Illinois said: Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a freelance paralegal (family law) to look over some divorce documents for me. I'm not asking for legal advice, and I know that paralegals arent'allowed to give it.

I prepared my husband's and my divorce myself with Legalzoom (not that great). I just have some questions about attending court and I would like someone to review my completeed paperwork. I have a court date in mid-February and I would like to be prepared. I would prefer to meet someone in person at a local coffee shop, but if I can't get anyone who lives in the area, I would take someone who has a fax machine where I can fax my paperwork.

I live in Schaumburg,IL if anyone is interested, please respond on this website or through PM and I will answer. Also, please tell me what you want per hour or a one time fee. I've tried searching thru craigslist and the classfieds, but all I find are attorneys.

I have a few suggestions. You want to know what court will be like. Go sit in on a few cases. If you can, sit in on a few divorces matters. Go to the website for your courts. They may have a section on what to expect in court.

If you went to Legalzoom (which others on Indeed have said is THE GREATEST (I don't know), your documents should be okay. I would suggest you go down to the clerk's office and review a few divorce files and check what documents they used.

As Displaced said, "doing it on the cheap" - can be an expensive experience. Check your county's legal aid system and see if they will help, or at least review your documents.

If you have no assets (house or kids) and you really cannot afford to pay an attorney, when you get to court, and your documents are not done correctly, the Judge will tell you what you need to do.

Sorry, I didn't know reviewing a document was legal advice.

My problem with legalzoom was that they didnt' know the correct amount of child support for 2 children in illinois, they marked 25%, it's 28%. Also, they said that my husband had to live at a different adddress in order to file (he doesn't).

My paperwork is almost all filled out. I really dont' need a lawyer at this point. I just need someone to look over the papers. Maybe I'll try going to the court.

Do your own research. Go to the website for your County's Courts. They may have a section to give you all the information you need. Do a google for like "Divorce requirements in Illinois." Check your state statutes (the info may be there).

As for child support, the court will make sure everything is taken care of. Since you have children, the court may require you to seek legal counsel and may direct you where to go.

B.King in Colorado Springs, Colorado said: Allow me to say one thing respectfully if I may. Do you happen to know what Misrepresentation is?" If you do not know I suggest you go look it up in Black's Law Dictionary. In addition, look of Defamation in the same book. Plus there is another word that goes in conjunction with both and is called Libel.lus you are sadly mistaken my friend, there are Document Preparation Companies in Colorado Springs as we speak, so guess again, do not speak unless you know fact because it might just lead you to trouble. You are running real close my friend to legal issues of your own.

I realize this is an old post and was looking up something, came across this post and out like to suggest you look up "respectfully" in Webster's Dictionary, that is hardly respectful and quite rude.

B.King in Colorado Springs, Colorado said: I have even looked on The American Bar Associations web site and have seen one job but it is in a field that I have very little training in so I would probably not get it. I would rathyer see that go to someone with more experience in that area. As for Freelance work, I think this is something that is a probable position in the very near future and I really think the Bar needs to start looking at this angle a lot closer than what they have in the past because their are a lot of people with training in specialized areas that would be helpful to the public and to Attorneys that really cannot afford a Full-Time Paralegal in the Office but can better afford someone that is contracted at a set rate with a Paralegal, so I really think that someone needs to really stand up and make these people see that aspect.

I agree. Outsourcing of legal support services is a smart, economical and practical solution for attorneys and in-house legal departments. It's really no different than hiring a contract worker through an agency and in fact is less complicated. As long as the individuals performing the work are responsible in complying with the bar association protocols and laws of the land, i.e., working strictly under supervision of a licensed attorney, it shouldn't be a problem. Some people are of the mind set that freelance paralegals are automatically engaged in UPL, however, this is not true. The best thing to do to cover yourself and build trust in the legal community is to back everything in writing, requesting that the attorney review and approve the work. Never send work out from your own office unless the attorney has approved and signed (or otherwise provided written approval). Providing freelance legal and/or consulting services is indeed exciting, challenging and rewarding.

I have over 8 years experience as a paralegal and am considering starting a freelance business. Any suggestions as to how to go about obtaining clients??? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the info. Displaced Legal Professional. Yes I meant Law Firms/Attorneys.

RFB in Mentor, Ohio said: I have over 8 years experience as a paralegal and am considering starting a freelance business. Any suggestions as to how to go about obtaining clients??? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Freelancing is a hard nut to crack and there are other alternatives out there. For example, some paralegals work on contract for corporations and may even take on a full time position, once they establish a good working relationship.

The only problem with working on contract is that corporations are increasingly involved in unethical business practices, so working for one might open a paralegal up to liability. If I was considering freelancing, I would structure my freelance business as a sole-proprietorship, so that my personal business records were protected under the Fifth Ammendment. See: United States V. Doe, 465 US 605 (1984) (Owner of several sole-proprietorships could not be compelled to produce business documents under the privilege against compelled self-incrimation).

A paralegal today can't be too careful working freelance for a corporation or a law firm. Because you maintain ethical standards doesn't mean the people you freelance for do. Something to keep in mind.

buncle 19, good point. I figured since no one here in Northeast Ohio seems to be hiring why not give contracting or freelance a shot. With my extensive background, personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Probate, Family Law, Business Law plus when I was serving on my Village's Council I was the chairman of the ordinance committee and drafted all the ordinances, of course our Solicitor reviewed them but thought they were great, best he had ever seen.

Ohio paralegal in Warren, Ohio said: I've been unofficially doing freelance paralegal work for various attorneys for about a year since getting my degree. I specialize in researching issues and writing reports for the attorneys, briefs to the courts, motions, etc. I have generally "wowed" every attorney who has used me.

In my area, most lawyers and law firms hire a full-time secretary, but don't have the resources to also hire a full-time paralegal to do the things I do. Whenever they need services like mine, they contract out. So, with the encouragement of a local defense attorney and prosecutor, I am considering filing an LLC and advertising myself.

My problem is: What should I charge?

I don't want to rip myself off, but I also don't want to seem audacious on accident. I want to have a fair price that attorneys won't bristle at, but also make enough to live on.

So, paralegals: What do you feel comfortable charging?
And, attorneys: What do you feel comfortable being charged?

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thank you!

I'm not sure what you should charge. I myself am considering starting my own LLC. What do the lawfirms pay you now per hour?

andoverboro in Newton, New Jersey said: I would love to know how to freelance my skills. How does someone freelance in New Jersey.

Any thoughts or suggestions is appreciated!!

Great question New Jersey, I am just finishing my paralegal degree and I am looking to get my feet wet. I have been looking for opportunities in this line of work practical every where. However the problem has been that most if not all the company's that I have applied to want passed experience in the field, but by just graduating from school there is not much of that. So I too have deiced to got into business for myself and I happen to come across this sight which has been very helpful; so I would appreciate any help that I can find on the subject of freelancing my skills. I would love to hear any suggestion here in Illinois.

If it happens, it's not very widespread.

If firms need "freelancers" they typically go to the recruiting agencies for temps, but even that work has dried up and gone away. I guess it can't hurt to sign up with some of them, but your expectations should be zero.

You could go directly to firms to attempt freelancing, but be advised that even seasoned people with experience are not getting jobs in this environment.

Good luck.