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, helping people take the law into their own hands. It contains interviews with leaders in the field, 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 15 years, this updated and revised 6th edition provides crucial advice for the new or veteran independent paralegal.