About Paralegal Advantage

Linda M. Wiedenhoff

After thirty-three years of working in law firms, I met the challenge in 2004 to start my own freelance Paralegal business. It is my goal to provide expert legal assistance to attorneys as well as non-legal business services to other professionals and the general public who need temporary help with specific projects. A wide range of knowledge and many years of experience allow me to provide valuable legal and business assistance in numerous areas. Please refer to EXPERTISE for a complete listing of services that may help you to complete your legal or business projects professionally, timely and economically with Paralegal Advantage, LLC.

I was born and raised in a small, Iowa farming community to hard-working, middle class parents whose profound work ethics and stamina of 60 married years have given me the basis for strong ethical beliefs and persistance to perform the duties of a job with pride.

In my early years I was active in sports, band, cheerleading, 4-H , American Legion Auxiliary and Church. I graduated from High School as a class officer, a member of the National Honor Society and recipient of various scholarship awards. After graduating from Clinton Business College, I began my career in the legal profession as the assistant in a sole-proprietorship law firm, where for six years I learned all aspects of a general practice law firm. The rest is history – see EXPERIENCE for a detailed account of all 33 years of my law office career.

My husband and I raised his two beautiful daughters who are now grown with homes and careers of their own. When not working, I enjoy my flower garden and fish pond, doll collecting, sewing and time with family and friends. Together, my husband and I share cooking and outdoor activities – including trips on our Harley motorcycle and our 5th wheel camper. I am a member of the King of Kings United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary (in excess of 55 years), the National Association of Legal Assistants, the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association and the National Notary Association. I am also a participating member of the Colorado Freelance Paralegal Network

Business Office

Paralegal Advantage, LLC maintains an office located at 8221 Brentwood Court, Arvada, Colorado 80005, complete with a high-speed computer connection, color printer, fax machine, scanner, typewriter, calculator, filing cabinets, lap-top computer, voice and e-mail. The business maintains accounts with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office and Federal Express for the convenience of immediate service. Other on-line services are obtained without delay via a business credit card. The following computer programs are utilized on a regular basis:

• Microsoft Office Word
• Corel Word Perfect
• Adobe Acrobat
• Amortizer Software (Loan/Interest Calculator)
• Lacerte Tax Program (Federal Estate Tax Return - Form 706 and Gift Tax Returns - Form 709)
• Estate Valuations & Pricing Systems, Inc. (Valuing Securities)
• Smart Draw (Flowcharting)
• Remote Access Capabilities
• Quicken (Accounting)
• Systems Backup Software

How is it possible to work outside of the law office?

The technology of today offers many resources which allow the freelance paralegal to assist with transactional matters without ever (or infrequently) having to visit the actual law firm office. You and/or your firm can determine the ideal set-up it desires to accomplish communication with Paralegal Advantage, LLC utilizing some or all of the following:

• Remote Access hook-up to one or more specific areas of your firm's computer system for retrieval or return of forms or draft documents.
• E-mailing and/or Faxing messages, instructions, forms, client information and documents.
• Over-night delivery of documents or computer disks.

You are encouraged to visit REFERENCES for the names and contact information of individuals who will confirm that it is actually very easy to work with Paralegal Advantage, LLC to accomplish projects in a fast, expert and economical method.

If it becomes necessary or important for the paralegal to meet at your office or other location with either the attorney, other professional and/or the client, Paralegal Advantage, LLC is more than willing to accommodate those needs as necessary and appropriate to accomplish the specific project or matter.

What forms will be used for document preparation?

Paralegal Advantage, LLC will use forms satisfactory to you and which will be approved by you prior to sending to any client for review or signature. The following lists some possibilities:

• You may provide your own forms or a form you desire to be completed, edited or revised.
• Paralegal Advantage, LLC has access to a large number of forms through its own resources.
• Many forms can be obtained on the internet or via on-line completion, such as Secretary of State forms, probate forms, Colorado Bradshaw Legal Forms and out-of-state forms, such as Deeds.

What About Direct Client Contact?

Paralegal Advantage, LLC will not contact a client without the prior authorization of the responsible attorney or other professional. However, depending upon the situation and the particular project, with the appropriate approval, Paralegal Advantage, LLC can work directly with the client to obtain information required to complete documentation. Paralegal Advantage, LLC recognizes its boundaries and will not offer any legal advice or answer complicated questions, but will refer the client to the attorney for any such legal services. If agreed upon in advance, Paralegal Advantage, LLC will correspond via E-mail or regular mail with the Client or other pertinent individuals to forward information or documentation for review or signature, only after such documentation has been reviewed by the responsible attorney or other professional in the event of any substantial mailings. All E-mails and correspondence will be copied with the enclosures, to the responsible attorney or other professional, as appropriate.

How can a Probate Administration be appropriately Administered?

Paralegal Advantage, LLC can meet initially with an attorney and clients at the onset of an estate administration, if desired by the attorney, and anytime during the estate administration as appropriate. A form executed by the Personal Representative will authorize Paralegal Advantage, LLC to contact the appropriate financial and other businesses in order to assist the Personal Representative as necessary in the estate administration and obtain all of the appropriate information to prepare an estate inventory and estate tax returns, as necessary. Copies of all correspondence and documentation will be provided to the attorney and Paralegal Advantage, LLC will remain in contact with the attorney for all decision making and questions of the personal representative. Paralegal Advantage, LLC will provide status reports to the responsible attorney as requested or scheduled.

Written Correspondence

Paralegal Advantage, LLC is experienced in drafting lengthy, informative letters. However, all letters of any substance or containing any legal advice will be prepared on the letterhead and for the signature of the responsible attorney or other professional and will not be mailed without prior approval of the final draft. Paralegal Advantage, LLC can either provide the final draft to the attorney for signature and mailing, or upon authorization, will sign such correspondence on the attorney's behalf or use an electronic signature and then mail as appropriate.

Filing

Paralegal Advantage, LLC will retain and maintain client filing as agreed upon with the responsible attorney or other professional until the project matter is completed. At the time of the project completion, the filing will be provided to the attorney's office.

Tickle, or Follow-Up System

Paralegal Advantage, LLC maintains a tickle (follow-up) system of all correspondence mailed on any particular project. In addition, all important filing or deadline dates are tickled. The attorney or other responsible professional will be kept apprised of any important and up-coming events or dates.

Independent Contractor

Paralegal Advantage, LLC is an independent paralegal contractor and is not subject to withholding by the attorney's firm or other professional. The attorney's firm or other professional shall provide an IRS Form 1099 to Paralegal Advantage, LLC on an annual basis as provided by the Internal Revenue Code. In order to protect both parties and to insure the holding as an independent contractor for tax purposes, a Contract should be executed between the parties. Please see CONTACT to request a copy of the proposed Contract form.

Time Records and Billing Statements

Paralegal Advantage, LLC will be contracted to you and you will be responsible for the payment of its services and expenses advanced on behalf of the client as provided in a pre-executed Contract (see CONTACT to request a copy of a proposed Contract form). Monthly billing statements will be provided to you with a complete record of the time spent and specific services performed. Expenses advanced on behalf of the client will also be detailed and invoices provided. Paralegal Advantage, LLC is experienced in keeping detailed client billing records. It is strictly your prerogative on how you provide the same information to your client and how you choose to bill for the paralegal services you have contracted on behalf of such client.

Conflict of Interest

Paralegal Advantage, LLC, upon request, will execute a Conflict of Interest Verification Statement prior to entering into a Contract to perform specific matters on behalf of a client. See CONTACT to request a copy of a proposed Conflict of Interest Verification Statement.

Confidentiality

Paralegal Advantage, LLC abides by strict confidentiality standards and will not divulge any confidential information to which it may be privy while working on any matter. In addition, Paralegal Advantage, LLC will not disclose any information about the attorney or other professional or their respective firm, that is not generally available to the public.