Does a paralegal need to work under an attorney only? Paralegal Info?? Advice??

I am self employed in a family Business, we handle accounting, bookeeping, stae and local taxes as well as federal...and many other things.

In my job I run into many family law or divorce and immigration issues, as well as employer issues and civil lawsuits, because of our huge list of clients we deal with, doctors, dentists, and your average joe's. I have quite alot of experience ion dealing with family law and other court cases, I often fill out and prepare packages for my clients and see that they come often looking for me, sometimes I dont have the time or feel i shouldnt take on a certain subject and refer them to another office, a Paralegal document preparation service. When I do do the work I practically do it for free, i mean I charge nothing compared to what office do charge because I feel I am not licensed or even have a certificate.

My question is , I plan on attending a college that offeres a certificate to be a Paralegal in california, not so much for the paper, but

But more for the know how and those topics I wouldnt touch before...

my main question is, am i able to advertise myself a s a paralegal and ontinuee working from my office and offer documentation services to my clients?
What am i allowed to do or not do by working on my own? Am I able to offer my services to attorneys?

Can I pretty much be self employed and advertise mysel as a Paralegal? or is it Legal secretary?

Thanks

YES, you need to work under an attorney!!! Otherwise you can be prosecuted for "unauthorized practice of law"!!!

Warning: If you can, get out of the field of Law <these jobs are drying up FAST!!! (bad economy, plus thanks to the web everyone thinks they can be their own attorney)

Go into the field of healthcare <LOTS of jobs there.

Mailacco, As far as I know the law field is not drying up , there are plenty of jobs. My office has more work than we can handle. In looking in our job section of our paper, there is always some type of legal job available. Now to answer your question; In my state if you work for an attorney drafting legal documents for five or more years you can use the title of paralegal. Remember, your can't practice law and you must have an attorney supervise your work.

In Florida it changed recently and the scum bag attorneys got that changed...so the answer here is "yes"

California Business and Professions Code sections 6450 governs paralegals. The law changed in 2000 and requires a paralegal to meet certain requirements (education primarily) and if they meet the criteria, they can assist in completing forms and the like. However, a paralegal is not permitted to give legal advice, draft documents, appear in court or otherwise practice law. The following website of the Alliance of California Paralegal Association should be very helpful. Good Luck in your new career!
http://www.caparalegal.org