Free checklist: hiring a paralegal or legal document preparer
Updated November 1, 2026
Use this checklist before you pay anyone to help with legal paperwork. It helps you check what they can legally do and what you are paying for.
Know who does what
- Paralegals usually work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and cannot give legal advice on their own.
- Some states license or register independent document preparers (for example, California’s Legal Document Assistants); check your state’s rules.
- If you need advice about your options or court representation, you need a licensed attorney.
Before you hire
- Ask for their training or certification (for example NALA’s Certified Paralegal or NFPA credentials) and check it.
- Ask whether an attorney supervises the work, and get that attorney’s name and bar number.
- Get the full price, what it covers and what it does not, in writing.
- Check your state bar or consumer protection office for complaints.
Paperwork
- Keep copies of everything you sign and send.
- Confirm filing deadlines yourself with the court or agency.
- Never let anyone sign court forms for you.
This checklist is general information, built from the sources below. It is not professional advice for your situation.