Life has a funny way of leading you exactly where you need to be, even when the path looks nothing like what you originally planned. My journey to becoming a paralegal didn't start with a career counselor's recommendation or a childhood dream of working in law: it began with heartbreak, helplessness, and a fierce determination to never feel powerless again.
The Moment Everything Changed
In 2016, I watched the man I love go through something no parent should ever experience. My husband was facing parental alienation by his ex-wife, and I felt completely helpless as I witnessed his heart breaking day after day. Eventually our savings was depleted, and there was nothing I could do to help him fight for his relationship with his daughters, nothing I could contribute to ease his pain or change the situation.
That feeling of helplessness was devastating. As someone who's always been a problem-solver and protector, standing on the sidelines while my husband suffered was unbearable. I made a promise to myself in those dark moments: I would never feel that powerless again, and I would make sure my own children would have someone in their corner who understood the legal system if they ever needed it.
The girls are now 17 and 19, and they want nothing to do with us. That reality stings, but it also reinforced something I believe deeply: as mothers, our duty to protect and help our children doesn't end when they turn 18. I wanted, and still want, to shield my children from the kind of pain my husband experienced. I knew that meant understanding the law, understanding the system, and being prepared to help them navigate it if necessary.
The Original Plan: Law School or Bust
My initial plan was straightforward: earn my bachelor's degree, get into law school, earn my JD, pass the bar, and become an attorney. Simple, right? But as I started researching timelines, I realized a harsh truth. By the time I completed all those steps, it would be too late to help my husband with his situation, and honestly, it might be too late to help my own children if they ever needed legal assistance during their young adult years.
The traditional path to becoming an attorney takes years: typically seven years post-high school if you go straight through. That felt like an eternity when I was motivated by urgency and a desire to make an immediate impact. I needed a way to gain legal knowledge and skills faster while still building toward my ultimate goal.
That's when I discovered the paralegal profession, and it seemed like the perfect stepping stone. I could earn my bachelor's degree in Legal Studies, get my paralegal certificate, and start working in the legal field much sooner. It felt like a practical compromise that would give me the knowledge I craved while allowing me to start helping people right away.
Discovering My True Calling
Here's what I didn't expect: falling in love with being a paralegal. What started as a stepping stone to law school became my genuine career passion. After working as a paralegal for several years, my entire perspective shifted. I realized that I didn't just tolerate the work, I absolutely enjoyed it.
One of the things that drew me in immediately was how generous many attorneys are with their knowledge. When they talk, I listen. I want to absorb everything they're willing to share, even though I know it's impossible to learn everything there is to know about the law. But that's part of what makes it exciting; there's always something new to discover, always another area to explore, always another way to help a client.
The attorneys I've worked with over the years have been incredible mentors, often without even realizing it. They've shared insights about case strategy, explained complex legal concepts, and shown me how different areas of law intersect and influence each other. This ongoing education has been invaluable, and it's something I genuinely look forward to every day.
Why I Love the Challenges
Family law, for obvious reasons, captured my attention and my heart. It's complex, emotionally charged, and incredibly meaningful work. When you're helping families navigate divorce, custody disputes, adoption, or domestic violence situations, you're not just processing paperwork: you're helping people through some of the most difficult periods of their lives.
The challenges in family law and other complex litigation areas don't frustrate me; they energize me. Every case is different, every client has unique needs, and every situation requires creative problem-solving and attention to detail. I love the intellectual stimulation, the variety, and the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives.
There's something deeply satisfying about taking a complicated legal situation and breaking it down into manageable pieces, organizing the facts, researching the relevant law, and helping build a strategy that serves the client's best interests. It's like solving a puzzle, but one where the solution can change someone's life for the better.
The Decision to Stay
After years of paralegal work, I faced a choice: stick with my original plan to attend law school, or continue as a paralegal. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I could accomplish my original goals, protecting my family and helping others, without taking on the massive debt, additional stress, and demanding hours that come with being an attorney.
Law school is expensive. Attorney life often means long hours, high stress, and significant financial pressure to bill enough hours to justify the investment in legal education. As a paralegal, I can do meaningful work, continue learning, and maintain a better work-life balance that allows me to be present for my children.
This realization was liberating. I could have the legal knowledge and skills I wanted without sacrificing my financial stability or family time. I could still help people navigate legal challenges, still work on complex cases, and still make a difference: all while maintaining the flexibility to be the kind of mother and wife I want to be.
The Entrepreneurial Leap
My decision to start CRI Virtual Paralegal Group came naturally from my love of paralegal work combined with my desire for even more flexibility and autonomy. I realized that with the right connections and financial planning, I could continue doing the work I'm passionate about while building something of my own, save money to help my children if they ever need it, and have the connections to retain the best legal representation for their situation.
The virtual paralegal model makes perfect sense in today's legal landscape. Law firms need skilled paralegal support, but they don't always need or want the overhead of full-time employees. Meanwhile, experienced paralegals like me want the flexibility to work with multiple clients, set our own schedules, and build our own practices.
Starting my own virtual paralegal business means I can continue specializing in complex litigation while helping multiple firms access high-quality paralegal services. It's allowed me to expand my skill set, work with diverse clients and case types, and build the kind of career that aligns with my personal values and family priorities.
The Perfect Balance
What I love most about my path is how it allows me to have the best of both worlds. I get to do intellectually challenging work that makes a real difference in people's lives, but I also get to maintain control over my schedule and priorities. I can be there for my children's important moments while still building a successful career in the legal field.
The knowledge I've gained as a paralegal gives me the confidence to help my family navigate any legal challenges they might face in the future. If my children ever need legal assistance, I'll be equipped to help them find the right resources and understand their options.
More importantly, I've built a career that I'm genuinely passionate about. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn. I work with attorneys who respect my expertise and rely on my skills to serve their clients effectively. I've found a profession that values continuous learning, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure: all qualities that I already possessed and wanted to put to good use.
Looking Forward
My journey from that helpless feeling in 2016 to running my own virtual paralegal business today hasn't been what I originally planned, but it's been exactly what I needed. I've found a career that challenges me, supports my family's financial goals, and allows me to make a meaningful contribution to the legal field.
If you're considering a career change or looking for a way to enter the legal profession, I encourage you to explore the paralegal path. It offers incredible opportunities for professional growth, meaningful work, and career flexibility that many other professions simply can't match.
The legal field needs skilled, dedicated paralegals who are passionate about helping clients and supporting attorneys in delivering excellent legal services. Whether you're looking for traditional employment or considering the virtual paralegal route, there are opportunities to build a rewarding career while maintaining the work-life balance that matters to you.
For law firms considering virtual paralegal services, I'd love to discuss how CRI Virtual Paralegal Group, LLC, can provide the skilled support you need while delivering the efficiency and cost savings that make sense for your practice.
Written by Chelly Irizarry, November 19, 2025
CRI Virtual Paralegal Group, LLC