Legal Question in Business Law in Illinois

If a person is filing pro se and I am a paralegal assisting with translation and helping with filling out the documents because the person has problem with writing English. These court documents or forms are available in court to pick up and fill out such as forms for filing bankruptcy. Am I practicing law by helping this person? Is this work considered as legal services? The person is unable to afford hiring an attorney.


Asked on 7/02/10, 12:27 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Lawrence A. Stein Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa, LLC

You are practicing law by helping others, no matter how poor, fill out forms to be filed in court, no matter how simple or available.

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Answered on 7/02/10, 3:59 pm
Burton Padove Indiana and Illinois Lawyer, Burton A. Padove

Your best bet is to stay away from providing any information at all other than pure translation.

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Answered on 7/02/10, 7:00 pm
Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Other than the translation, in Illinois, you are not allowed to do any of this unless you are under the direct supervision of an attorney. You should be aware of this by way of your paralegal training.

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Answered on 7/07/10, 6:59 am


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