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Fueled by growing dissatisfaction with our overpriced legal system, a quiet revolution has been taking place. For over 25 years, more and more people have prepared their own legal papers with the help of independent paralegals, instead of handing their cases over to lawyers. The Independent Paralegals' Handbook is a practical guide for anyone considering a career as a self-employed legal assistant who wants to help people taking the law into their own hands. This new fifth edition has been updated for the Internet Age, with numerous tips on how to use the Web for an independent-paralegal business. It contains interviews with leaders in the independent-paralegal movement, and discusses: legal areas open to independent paralegals where to get the necessary training the steps necessary to open a legal form-typing business what to name your business how much to charge how to market your services strategies designed to avoid unauthorized-practice-of-law charges independent paralegals who work for community and social-change organizations computers, the Internet and the independent paralegal The definitive guide on the subject for more than 10 years, this handbook provides crucial legal and business advice for anyone considering a career in this growing field.