Paralegal vs ProSe — Do You Actually Need a Paralegal?

A paralegal in Ontario charges $500 or more for a single LTB matter. A lawyer charges $300–$600 per hour. But here's the thing most people don't realize: if you just need court documents prepared — not someone to represent you in the courtroom — you don't need to pay those fees. ProSe prepares court-ready documents for $19.99 each.

The Cost Comparison

Do I Actually Need a Paralegal?

You probably need a paralegal or lawyer if:

• Your case involves a court appearance where you need someone to speak for you
• You're facing a complex litigation matter with multiple parties
• There are significant assets or custody issues at stake
• You need legal advice about your rights and options
• You're responding to a lawsuit and aren't sure about your legal position

ProSe is the right choice if:

• You need court documents prepared but plan to represent yourself
• You know what documents you need and just need them formatted correctly
• You're filing a straightforward LTB application, small claims case, or demand letter
• You want to save money on document preparation and spend it on representation only if needed
• You need documents for multiple provinces (paralegals are usually licensed in one province)

We're honest about this because it builds trust — and because most people who come to ProSe genuinely just need the document. If you need a paralegal, get one. If you just need a properly formatted affidavit, statement of claim, or tribunal application, ProSe does it for $19.99.

The Landlord-Tenant Example

Let's say you're a tenant in Ontario and your landlord won't return your last month's rent deposit. Here's what each option costs:

• Lawyer: $2,000–$5,000+ (most won't take small LTB matters)
• Paralegal: $500–$1,500 (you'll need a consultation first, and pricing usually isn't on their website)
• ProSe Landlord-Tenant Kit: $49.99 — includes your demand letter, T1 application, and affidavit, formatted for the LTB

The LTB is designed for self-represented litigants. According to the Law Society of Ontario, 97.4% of tenants appear without a lawyer or paralegal. You don't need to pay $500 for someone to fill out forms you can prepare yourself with ProSe.

What About Other Provinces?

Most paralegal firms only operate in Ontario. If you're in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, or any other province, your options for affordable document help are even more limited. ProSe covers all 13 provinces and territories — documents are formatted to each province's specific court and tribunal requirements.

This includes the BC Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB), Alberta Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS), Quebec Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), Saskatchewan Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT), and every other provincial residential tenancy tribunal across Canada.