24 May HOW TO CHOOSE A PARALEGAL SERVICE

There are several considerations to keep in mind when you want to hire a paralegal, let’s review the main points to consider when you decide to use a the services of a paralegal or document assistance service.

1. Determine what type of paralegal you need. The first step in finding a quality professional in your area is understanding what type of  service you are going to need. For example, if you are going through a divorce, you will want to narrow your search to those having experience in family law, particularly divorce law. When you start your search, try and find paralegals who have have previous experience with your specific needs. Said another way, do not search out a criminal paralegal to help you with your divorce.

2. Contact local professional directory services. Every state is going to have local paralegal services that you will be able to contact who can assist with your specific type of need. Once you find one, look through their website or give them a call to inquire about their services. For example, in San Bernardino, Legal Ease Document Assistance provides local document preparation services to those looking for a cheaper alternative to hiring an attorney.

3. Review online listings and reviews. Almost everyone in today’s world will advertise their services on the internet. Try searching for “divorce/family law/bankruptcy paralegals in [your city]” and see what comes up.You can also try using sources like LawInfo.com or locateparalegal.com to help aid your search. Be aware that some sources will charge you for their services. Look at reviews on sites like Yelp. Peer reviews can be incredibly helpful when narrowing down your search and finding good paralegal candidates.

4. Talk to friends and family members who have used a paralegal’s services and get recommendations. Find out who they hired, for what type of service, if they were happy with the services, and why or why not. Ask if they would recommend that service/professional.

5. Review each choice’s background. Before you make a final list of candidates, review every person’s background. Use the internet to search for the paralegals you have found. Search for their certifications and/or credentials. In order to protect yourself from hiring an unqualified individual, you should always look to hire a certified paralegal if you have the opportunity.

Check with your Better Business Bureau to see if the paralegal you are looking at has any complaints. Consider calling and asking about their educational and experiential background. A good paralegal will have a solid educational foundation and years of experience drafting legal documents.

6. Make a list of potential choices. Include their name, address, phone number, and website. This information will help you organize your results moving forward.

7. Write out questions you would like to ask. Before you go to your appointment, write out any questions you may have for the paralegal. These questions may range from the types of services they offer to questions about their background and experience. Areas to ask about include:

• Pricing;
• The amount of time they expect it will take to complete your work;
• Their availability;
• Their experience with cases like yours; and
• Any record of misconduct.

8. Bring documents with you to your appointment. You will need to bring in documents they will need to look at in order to determine how they can help. Bring any documents you are asked to bring, as well as anything else you think may be helpful. Gather these documents ahead of time so you can locate them easily on the day of your appointment.

9. Attend your appointment. When you attend you appointment, a lot of independent paralegals will ask you to fill out a questionnaire. They will then use this questionnaire to determine the types of services that may be needed, and if they can be the ones to assist you. Paralegal professionals have to be careful not to provide legal advice to you during the appointment. One way of assuring they do not do so is through the use of these questionnaires.

10. Make your final choice. Aside from choosing a paralegal with a strong knowledge of  your specific needs, and strong experiential resume, choose someone you are going to get along with.
If the paralegal makes you feel uncomfortable or wants you to do anything unethical, make a different choice. Also, consider how well the appointment went. If the paralegal did not understand your questions or did not attend to your needs, consider finding someone else.

In the end, choose the professional you feel most comfortable with that can help you with the specific service you need.