Paralegal Services: What You Can (and Can't) Get Help With

BestParalegals is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information here is general and may not apply to your situation or state. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney.

Who offers paralegal services

You'll find paralegal help in three main places: inside law firms (supervised by an attorney), from freelance paralegals who work for attorneys, and, in some states, from registered non-lawyer document preparers who serve the public directly.

Things paralegal services commonly cover

• Preparing court forms you have selected (for example, in uncontested matters)
• Organizing documents and deadlines
• Business filings such as entity formation paperwork
• Typing and formatting documents for filing

What they cannot do

A non-lawyer generally cannot advise you which legal option to choose, interpret how the law applies to your facts, negotiate for you, or represent you in court. Be wary of anyone who offers legal advice without being a licensed attorney or a state-licensed limited practitioner.

Questions to ask before you hire

• Are you registered or licensed where required in my state? (Ask for the registration number and look it up.)
• Is a supervising attorney involved?
• What exactly is included, and what is the total fee in writing?
• How do you protect my personal information?

More guides

• Paralegal vs. Lawyer: What Each Can Do and When You Need Which
• Freelance Paralegals: How to Hire One (for Law Firms and Solo Attorneys)
• Legal Document Assistants: What They Are and How to Check One
• Virtual Paralegals: How Remote Paralegal Support Works
• Can a Paralegal Give Legal Advice?