What Can A Virtual Paralegal Do?

A virtual paralegal can perform many of the same tasks as an in-house paralegal, especially as internet-based technology improves. This arrangement is often a win-win for the attorneys who may not be able to afford to pay an employee and the paralegal who wants the freedom and flexibility to work from home and during the hours he or she sets.

The job of a virtual paralegal is to assist a lawyer or legal team. Attorneys can focus on delivering timely and effective legal services to their clients, and in-house paralegals can focus on the tasks they enjoy or where they excel.

When you and your employees are wearing many hats, it can be tricky to keep operations and administrative needs running smoothly. But hiring full-time, on-site support isn’t always the best option.

In fact, hiring a virtual legal assistant is much less expensive than hiring an additional lawyer or internal worker for your firm!

That’s where Attorney Services steps in.

The specific work, or the virtual legal assistant jobs, will depend on the firm’s needs, but here are some examples of the most in-demand requests:

General – All Practice Areas

• File management
• Case management
• Client correspondence
• Conduct interviews
• Draft pleadings & documents
• Organize and maintain forms
• Summarize documents and transcripts
• Legal research
• Calendar management

Business/Corporate

• Check availability and reserve corporate name
• Draft and file Articles of Incorporation/Organization
• Complete and file qualification of foreign corporations
• Obtain certificate of good standing from Secretary of State
• Draft Bylaws/Operating Agreement
• Draft Agreements
• Issue & transfer stock, prepare stock certificates & shareholder registers
• Prepare and maintain charts of outstanding securities
• Draft banking resolutions
• Draft Shareholder Agreements
• Prepare necessary documents for opening of bank accounts
• Draft Employment Agreements
• Complete & file assumed name certificates
• Obtain EIN
• Complete and file Applications for appropriate licenses to operate specific businesses
• Complete and file trade name applications, copyright applications and financing statements
• Prepare and file annual reports
• Draft written consents in lieu of meetings
• Draft & organize closing documents for corporate acquisitions
• Draft lease agreements
• Mergers
• UCC Filings

Family Law

• Collect background documents and information from clients, including:
  1. marriage certificate
  2. sources of support
  3. residence
  4. assets
  5. children’s information
  6. etc.
• Draft documents including:
  1. Petition for Dissolution
  2. Temporary motions, affidavits & orders
  3. Settlement Agreements
  4. Motion for modification
  5. Stipulations
  6. Petition for name change
  7. Motions to Compel
  8. Subpoenas
  9. Proposed Orders
• Set Depositions
• Obtain documents through subpoenas duces tecum
• Complete Mandatory Disclosures and Financial Affidavit
• Organize, categorize, and determine completeness of discovery
• Determine support requirements and calculate child support
• eFiling
• Arrange for service of documents
• Schedule and calendar court hearings
• Arrange for appraisals of real property and personal property
• Prepare for trial
• Assist in settlement discussions
• Prepare QDROs
• Draft and file necessary garnishments, writ of execution, or wage assignments

Foreclosures

• Order & review foreclosure report
• Draft:
  1. Complaint or Answer
  2. Trustee Notice of Sale
  3. Motions & Supporting Documents
• eFiling
• Record Documents

Immigration

• Interview client to obtain background information
• Function as liaison between clients & attorneys
• Prepare and file application and petitions
• Obtain and organize documents in support of applications and petitions
• Coordinate translations of foreign documents
• Coordinate equivalency evaluations of foreign degrees

Litigation

• Draft:
  1. Complaint
  2. Answer
  3. Discovery requests and responses
  4. Settlement agreements
  5. Affidavits
  6. Subpoenas
  7. Notices
  8. Legal memoranda and briefs
• Gather and organize factual data
• Prepare and serve subpoenas duces tecum
• Draft deposition questions & prepare deposition outline
• Schedule depositions
• Maintain client files
• Index and summarize depositions and exhibits
• Obtain, review, and analyze medical records
• Prepare demand letters
• Prepare settlement offers
• Prepare for trial
• Assist in settlement discussions
• Draft and file necessary garnishments, writ of execution, or wage assignments

Probate

• Notify heirs & devises of probate proceedings
• Publish notice to interested parties
• Preparing summaries and analyses of estate planning documents
• Collect info for preparation of inventory & tax returns
• Evaluate assets
• Draft:
  1. Inventory
  2. Petitions
  3. Accountings
  4. Distribution plans
  5. Proposed Orders, including Order of Distribution
• Review creditor’s claims
• Prepare accountings
• Arrange for real property appraisals

Estate Planning

• Collect information and documents from the client
• Draft:
  1. Wills
  2. Trusts
  3. Powers of Attorney
  4. Guardianship Designations
  5. Living Trusts
  6. Declarations of Homestead
  7. Transfer Deeds
  8. Life Insurance Trusts
  9. Special Needs Trusts

Trust Administration

• Prepare sub-trust allocation schedules and distribution plans
• Manage trust administration and maintaining files and compliance calendars
• Notify beneficiaries
• Collect information and documents from the client
• Prepare and filing all necessary documentation for distributions and taxes
• Assist clients in completing life insurance forms, bank requests and other documents
• Ensure compliance with services related to trust entity and maintenance
  

Real Property Matters

• Collect information and documents from the client
• Draft:
  1. Contracts
  2. Deeds (quit claim, warranty, trustee’s, etc.)
  3. Order or conduct title searches and updates
  4. Legal descriptions
  5. Deeds of trust & other loan documents
  6. Lease Agreements
  7. Assignments
  8. Extensions and amendments
  9. Terminations
  10. Escrow instructions
  11. Closing statements
  12. Closing documents
• Prepare closing checklist
• Review financing options, lending requirements, title affidavits, and bankruptcy claims
• Review land surveys, parcel maps, & condominium plats
• Arrange closing with all parties
• Arrange for discharge of mortgage
• Obtain closing figures from bank and prorate all closing costs
• Arrange foreclosure sales & prepare appropriate documentation

As you can see, we have you covered from A to Z. Contact us today, and let's tailor a plan for your goals.