Darlene’s Virtual Services

Personal Life

Darlene Minter owns and runs Darlene's Virtual Services, which is based in Georgia. As a virtual paralegal, she provides paralegal services to lawyers throughout the United States with a focus on consumer bankruptcy (chapter 7 and 13). Darlene also specializes in wills and power of attorney, living will, administration of estates, corporations, LLC, and criminal motions. She is a Georgia Notary Public, registered tax return preparer, acting executor for mother's estate, as well as acting power of attorney and executor of a long time family friend's will. Darlene completes individual and business tax returns for one hundred clients, provides bookkeeping and accounting for Charles Minter Karate Inc., and does quarterly payroll reporting forms for several businesses. She has been devoted to successfully running her business in Georgia since 2000.


Prior to owning her company, she worked at her father's law office. Darlene was a student nurse. She then served as a caseworker in the local county social services for six years, before returning to work full-time at her father's law office.

Darlene was born in Columbia, SC, and raised in Fort Jackson, SC, and Atlanta, GA. She attended nursing school in 1970 and earned her B.S. in Social Work from Georgia State University in 1973. After completing her paralegal studies at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, GA, Darlene received her paralegal certificate from the American Institute of Paralegal Studies in March 1994. She became a Certified Bankruptcy Assistant (CBA) in October 2004 and a Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) in January 2013.

Darlene's father was a trial attorney and her mother served as his legal assistant until he died in 2009. They were married for sixty years and worked together for forty years. Darlene's brother, Charles, owns and teaches karate lessons at Charles Minter Karate Inc. He also teaches karate lessons at community schools.

When Darlene isn't working, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, sewing, and cooking. She is an accomplished oboe player and has performed in local churches and community orchestras. Her favorite restaurants include the Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Red Lobster. Darlene also enjoys listening to the Bible on her MP3 player, reading classic novels, and stories based on real life people and situations. She is now reading Dr. Shari Lieberman's The Gluten Connection: How Gluten Sensitivity May Be Sabotaging Your Health - And What You Can Do to Take Control Now. She often listens to a mixture of classical, country and Christian music while she works.

Darlene's Successful Business and Tips for Paralegals

Does Darlene have a most memorable educational experience? She said she attended paralegal classes in her forties while she worked at her father's law firm. Darlene explained that she was more focused on her courses, because she was older than other students. She noted that the younger students asked for her advice, since she worked at her father's office.

Why did she decide to become a paralegal? Darlene claimed:

"I have actually been associated with the legal profession since age 15, when I had my first job in my father's law office. After high school and college, I was a student nurse and then employed for 6 years as a caseworker in the local county social services. I returned to my father's law office, full time, in 1980. I received my paralegal certificate from American Institute For Paralegal Studies in March, 1994. I started my own independent paralegal business in 2000, while still working as an independent contractor for my father. When my father became ill and died, in 2009, my mom and I were forced to close the law office. I moved my business to my home and continue to work for other attorneys, mostly sole practitioners. They pay me a flat fee per document, or a mutually agreed fee for each project."

What is the best part about her job? "I enjoy being able to help other people. My clients know that I cannot give legal advice, but they trust me not to steer them in the wrong direction."

Darlene discussed why she appreciates working for herself. "I enjoy my freedom and the flexibility of my schedule. I also enjoy choosing my clients and picking the cases I work on. Because the federal legal system is the same in every state, I am not limited geographically. I can work for any attorney in any state." For three years, Darlene has worked on bankruptcy cases, virtually through her computer, for attorney Greg Nussbickel in Fort Myers, Florida. She is currently serving Atlanta attorney Lori A. Browne and Tucker attorney Dennis J. Murphy. Darlene has worked for Mr. Murphy for thirteen years.

What is the paralegal known for professionally? "I have a gift for details that others miss. I am a good listener. I have a lot of patience. I am a hard worker who is determined, and I don't give up. I am also known for my professional work product."

When asked what she thinks about the paralegal field in Georgia, Darlene replied, "When the economy slowed down, lawyers couldn't afford paralegals. It has been a slow comeback."

Since Darlene owns and operates Darlene's Virtual Services, many readers may be wondering what advice she has for new legal staff members. "Paralegals need to have a general idea of where to find information about any area of the law. It is impossible for you to know all of the information, but you need to know where to look for information. Pick one or two areas to specialize in. You need to be thoroughly familiar with statutes and rules governing those topics."

What advice would the businesswoman give to students who are thinking about becoming a paralegal? "Be prepared to study hard and work long and exhausting hours. You also need to develop the ability to work under pressure to meet endless deadlines. In the end, it's all worth it -- the reward of a job well done and being able to help solve someone's problems that they couldn't do without your help."

Does Darlene have an opinion of Georgia's legal market? "The paralegal field is trying to make a comeback. Big law firms have laid off traditional paralegals, attorneys, and secretaries. There should be room and more work for independent paralegals. Some attorneys were forced to work for themselves at home. Those type of attorneys need independent paralegals."

Where does she see herself in five years? "I will continue my business for as long as I am able. I will also make more time to spend with my family and friends."

If Darlene weren't a paralegal, what would she be doing? "I don't know what field I would be in, but I would be helping and serving other people."

Darlene's Mentors and Mentoring Others, Volunteer Activities, A Rewarding Position and Her Goals

Does Darlene have a mentor? Is she a mentor? "My father and mother were my life and legal mentors. They were devoted to their legal service and to each other. My parents instilled a desire in me to read and study hard. I loved learning and taking on new challenges. My parents also influenced me to be a loyal friend and faithful helper." Although Darlene doesn't directly mentor paralegals, she supports and advises students who ask her questions about the profession. She hopes that she influences her niece and nephews in the same way that her parents influenced her.

Is she involved with any volunteer activities? "I am an avid knitter and crocheter. For the past seven years, I have made wool sweaters, socks, and hats to donate to families in Afghanistan through an organization called afghans for Afghans." "afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that is sending hand-knit and crocheted blankets, hats, mittens, socks, sweaters, and vests" to families in Afghanistan, according to its website. Each year, thousands of items donated from the United States and Canada are sent to children and adults. The mission project is based in San Francisco, CA. Darlene makes and delivers afghans to a local nursing home. She also donates food to the local co-op through her church, and participates in special mission projects.

Why does she find her position rewarding? "I find my position rewarding because I help people get through rough times in their lives. I also solve problems for them that they don't know how to solve for themselves."

Is there a downside to Darlene's position? "When I have a project to do, I may have to work long and exhausting hours, to meet deadlines, and get the job done."

Does she have goals? "I will continue what I have been doing and I plan on expanding my business by working with other attorneys throughout the U.S."
  *** Darlene Minter is not an attorney and can't give legal advice. ***