Bk Has made me decide to become..

[familyof7]

Going through bankruptcy pro se and filing an appeal for SSI benefits on behalf of my disabled sister on my own has made me decide I want to become a paralegal so I can get paid for what I do already helping people. Does anyone have any suggestions or insight? Any input would be great.

God Bless

[lrprn]

Going through bankruptcy pro se and filing an appeal for SSI benefits on behalf of my disabled sister on my own has made me decide I want to become a paralegal so I can get paid for what I do already helping people. Does anyone have any suggestions or insight? Any input would be great.

You'll be an excellent paralegal, Fo7!!

Here are a few good online resources about how to become a paralegal:

-American Assn for Paralegal Education - http://www.aafpe.org/ - click the Find a School tab

-The ABA-Approved list of paralegal education programs by state - http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/...als/directory/

-Links about becoming a paralegal, averages salareies, places to find jobs, etc from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc - http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=16

Hope this helps give you a good start toward realizing your goal. Way to go! Keep us posted about what you decide to do, ok?

[BKcrazy]

I took some paralegal courses. Intro, research and evidence. If you like it a lot, then you should do it.

[BKOnce]

Take local community college courses/certificate/degree or try online college program, whichever is cheaper & convienent for busy moms at home too.

[chpxiii]

Good luck!

I would suggest a school that is certified over something cheap.

You'll do awesome!

[BKcrazy]

OH, I forgot to suggest this, see if you can shadow a paralegal for a day or two. Then you can get an idea of what it's like day-to-day.

[chpxiii]

OH, I forgot to suggest this, see if you can shadow a paralegal for a day or two. Then you can get an idea of what it's like day-to-day.

This is a great idea. I did this for a job once. Then after I shadowed the developer the woman who wanted to hire me asked me if I was sure. I was so sure I was brimming. hehe..

But yes, great idea!

[BankruptPinoy]

Hi Family of 7! I'm Isabella. I'm from the Philippines but now in the South as well. My state has the HOPE grant and HOPE scholarship which can be used at some technical colleges to pay the tuition for some programs, and some of which are paralegal programs. It is funded by the lottery.

I am also thinking of filing pro se and studying to be a paralegal. I am scared of filing by myself, so I think if I can do it pro se, I can study about the law.

NOLO Press has a legal research book out, and I have a copy, I just have not used it to go the law library and see if I will like doing legal research.

The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics has a website that shows information about careers.

In looking at the online Occupational Outlook Handbook for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, it reads, "There are several ways to become a paralegal. The most common is through a community college paralegal program that leads to an associate degree. Another common method of entry, mainly for those who already have a college degree, is earning a certificate in paralegal studies...Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations...In May 2006, full-time wage-and-salary paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings, including bonuses, of $43,040. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,920 and $54,690. The top 10 percent earned more than $67,540, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $27,450."

I once read in a book, "I have yet to meet a lawyer who’s content and happy in his profession. Many would get out of the racket tomorrow if it were not for the money. (A Nevada partner in a big law firm once told me that he had no friends at the office because “I can’t stand lawyers!”) If money is
the goal, trust me: Many paralegals—and I’ve been one of them—make more money than others with a law degree, and as a bonus, the paralegals sleep better at night!"

So, in regard to being a paralegal, one would have to obviously work with lawyers. And, well, that can be good or bad depending on each individual attorney.

I have worked in law enforcement, insurance claims investigations, education (teaching economics and yet I will file bankruptcy-lol) and some other things, but for some reason, I am scared of doing legal research and studying to be a paralegal.

Does anyone remember Harcourt Learning Direct? They are famous for study at home programs. Now they are Penn Foster Career School. They are accredited by DETC and it costs about $900 bucks.

So that might be an option too if your local community college or technical college does not have a diploma or associate degree, or university does not have continuing
education certificate in paralegal studies or legal studies.

USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site lists this as the pay and qualifications for some paralegal jobs:
"Paralegal Specialist...SALARY RANGE: 36,734.00 - 47,750.00 USD per year...A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university..."

So, it looks like, for some US Federal Government jobs, that a BS degree is required.

I like what BKcrazy and chpxiii wrote about working or "shadowing" for a day or two. Also, perhaps you can volunteer at your local legal aid clinic.

If you are interested in becoming a lawyer, which I have considered, I once read a great book entitled "Planet Law School." The author kind of talked me out of it, explaining what the legal profession is really like.

I have lots of links to some sites about becoming a paralegal. However, since I am new here, I do not wish to be called a spammer or do not desire anyone to think I am making a post and getting paid to advertise. In fact, it makes me sad that in this day and age, we feel that way towards others.

I would like to write that I am planning my bankruptcy, and I would be ashamed if I only asked questions about how to file and proceed, and not help others. I cannot in good conscience be a taker and not give something back.

Therefore, right now, I do not know anything about bankruptcies. But I believe with my life experiences and living in other countries, that I can contribute to this fourm. I have read the FAQ's and rules, and I did not find anything about posting links.

Also, according to the rules, I cannot private message you, familyof7, about the links I have on paralegals without your permission.

Anyway, familyof7, I think it is a great idea that you have about wanting to help others by becoming a paralegal. I met a woman named Norma last week and when she retires she wants to help people at hospitals, because she has been in hospitals so much and treated so badly, that she feels she can make a difference in the lives of others.

And that is what I feel life is really all about-helping others and putting asided our fears and distruts and petty ninnying and gripes on others, and realizing that we are really and truly all alike. There's only one race, the human race. Let us spread love to each other, and not call each other names when we try and help each other.

I admire you familyof7 for your desire, and also for your courage in filing pro se and filing the appeal with the Government. I know that it was a challenge for me in filing the paperwork for my visa to come to the USA.

Good luck and Merry Christmas to all! Thanks for taking the time to let me introduce myself (sort of) and ingat ka.

[familyof7]

Well I checked into some programs and may start in spring semester. I also spoke with the woman who represented my daughter in getting ssi. She is going to train me I am going to work for her from my home and eventually once I have all the info and training in a yr or two I will then go off on my own and represent people in ssi claims. To represent on in an ssi claim you dont have to be an attorney or a paralegal but you have to know your stuff and take a continued education course provided by SSA and pass a test. But I could already pass the test. I have done so much research and appeals that I know what to do as far as Social security goes. But I would not be comfortable doing it alone yet especiall representing someone other than family. But I will start working with her in JAN I am so happy.

[Flamingo]

Going through bankruptcy pro se and filing an appeal for SSI benefits on behalf of my disabled sister on my own has made me decide I want to become a paralegal so I can get paid for what I do already helping people. Does anyone have any suggestions or insight? Any input would be great.

God Bless

I am a paralegal; having been a Legal Assistant first and then going to college to get my Paralegal degree while working. It is hard work and while you are going to school, you will have devote lots of time to research at law libraries as you do papers, draft briefs, etc., etc. If you have good family support at home, you can get through it. It will take you two years just to get a certificate; 4 years for a degree. While my courses were not taken online and I had to physically go to the law library (I was there sometimes until 4 in the morning to finish Opinions), many things are now provided online that were not provided before online programs. Paralegals, depending on their area, can put in lots of overtime and it may be expected of you. I remember when I first applied for my first paralegal position at a major law firm. I was asked if there might be any problems as to overtime that may be needed as many times they worked late into the night. I did explain that at that time I had two young daughters but had family that could watch them during those times. I was well qualified for the position with my legal background and straight A's in obtaining my degree but I did not get teh position. I am certain it was my response to to my young children but there were many applicants so who knows. Now they are grown and I spend lots of time at the office with no worries which my employer loves and for which I receive a marvelous salary and bonuses.

These are just things I have encountered in the profession in the past and now. These are things that everyone has to weigh out as to any position in which they want to go to school for and maybe work in. Law firms are demanding and busy. There are deadlines that require major time to meet. But first you have to go to school to get into the lawfirm so if you are able to invest the time, money and have the support needed for the time involved, it is the way to go. A good area to get into now is real estate because when this foreclosure boom ends, the market has no where to go but up.

Best of luck to you with your plans!