Affordable Documents, Inc.

Personal Life

Vicki Smith owns and manages Affordable Documents, Inc., located in Lake County, Florida. She is a document preparer/paralegal who specializes in deeds/real estate documents, small claims, eviction, expungement, paternity, name change, step-parent adoption, limited liability, incorporation, wills, living wills, power of attorney, child support enforcement, child support/custody modification, bankruptcy and divorce. Prior to opening her company, Vicki worked as a paralegal for Kathleen Foust's Paralegal Service. She also served as a paralegal for almost six years for C. Randall Freedman's law firm, Freeman Legal Associates, PA. While Vicki worked at Freeman Legal Associates, she specialized in criminal, real estate, probate, estate planning, bankruptcy, civil and divorce cases. She has twenty-one years experience as a document preparer/paralegal and thirteen of those years have been devoted to successfully running her business in the sunshine state.


Vicki was born in Kissimmee, FL and raised in Orlando, FL. She has been married for twenty-six years to Clifford Smith, III who is employed at Oakley Transport, Lake Wales, and they have a twenty-four year old daughter who is learning about graphic design in college. Vicki attended Oak Ridge High School, which is located in Orlando, FL. She earned her Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from Orlando College in 1992. When she isn't working, Vicki enjoys scrapbooking and crafts. Her favorite author is John Grisham and she enjoys dining out at Chili's Restaurant & Bar in Clermont, Florida.

Vicki's Successful Business and Tips for Legal Staff Members

When asked if she has a most memorable education experience, Vicki replied, “Graduating college. I am the first person in my family to go to college.”

Why and when did Vicki decide to become a legal staff member? “1990. I started looking for something to make a career out of and was told that I was good at research and had an attention to detail. I just enjoy that I can help people.”

Did Vicki transition into law? She explained that she was always involved with the law since she graduated from college. Vicki was hired as a paralegal by Kathleen Foust of Kissimmee, Florida.

The businesswoman discussed the best part about her job. Vicki said she enjoys helping people who can't afford an attorney. She assists her clients by properly filling out paperwork, especially those who need to file for a divorce.

Vicki was asked what is the number one reason why people get divorced. She stated that there are a number of reasons why couples end their marriage. However, she believes marriages dissolves primarily because of financial situations, being unfaithful and lack of communication. Vicki also pointed out that she has seen individuals terminate their marriage because their spouse was addicted to alcohol and drugs.

Vicki talked about why she likes working for herself. “I enjoy being able to help people and taking care of my family at the same time. I like the flexibility of my job.” She continued to say that her clients have the option of seeing her around their schedule thereby enabling them not to miss any work and has often visited senior citizens who can't come to her office.

The document preparer also talked about what she is known for professionally. “Family law has always been interesting to me and it is what I do the most in my current business.” She noted that family law is where people need the most help. Although other document preparer/paralegals have raised their rates during dire economic times, Vicki has not increased her client's fees for preparing their documents.

Vicki gave her opinion about the legal field. “It's still a very challenging and rewarding field. As an independent paralegal, attorneys view us as a threat to their business instead of utilizing us. I cannot give legal advice to anyone, so if someone comes to my office needing advice, where do you think I am going to send them? Smart attorneys keep good relations with independent paralegals for that reason.”

What would Vicki change about the paralegal industry? “More money. For the work that paralegals do, they really don't get paid enough.”

Since Vicki has twenty-one years experience as a legal staff member, many readers may want to know what her advice is to new and recent legal staff members. She simply stated, “Good luck and be patient.”

What would Vicki tell students who are contemplating becoming a paralegal? Her advice is pragmatic and straightforward: “Make sure you like research and you have to be flexible. Don't specialize in anything when you first start out. You need to decide if you like the field before you find your niche.”

Where does Vicki see herself in five years? “Hopefully still running my business with employees.” The document preparer plans on expanding her businesses in the next five years.

If Vicki wasn't a legal staff member, what would she be doing? “I would be working in a medical office or hospital, most likely in the billing and coding department.”

The businesswoman admitted that she is motivated everyday to assist people, be successful and learn something new.

Vicki's Mentor, Volunteer Activities and a Rewarding Position

Kathleen Foust and C. Randall Freedman are Vicki's mentors. Kathleen hired Vicki as a paralegal after she graduated from college. It was Vicki's first paralegal job. Although Randall has passed away, Vicki has fond memories of working with the attorney for almost six years. She acknowledged that Randall took her under his wing and taught her a lot about the legal field as well as law office management.

Although Vicki doesn't have time to volunteer since she takes care of her eighty-year old mother while running her business, she said she is interested in volunteering her time with senior citizens and children. She would like to devote her time in helping both age groups.

Why does Vicki find her position rewarding? The straightforward document preparer asserted, “Through document preparation, I can help people who have a limited income achieve their goals without costing them an arm and a leg.”
  ***Vicki Smith is not an attorney and can't give legal advice.***