I worked in a law office as a paralegal for many years.  I'm guessing in most medium sized metropolitan areas there is a need for free lance paralegal/secretarial work. 

For a very short time I hired myself out and had more offers than I wanted.  I know a girl who makes a fulltime living as a freelancer and she also turns away more work than she takes.  Some firms hire her on a truly freelance basis for big cases and others bring her in during vacation/maternity leave situations. 

A good general idea of all aspects of the law gives you a great background for searching.  It sure helps to understand a divorce decree and probate court orders because sometimes things aren't followed through and never make it clean & neatly to the recorder of deeds office.

To get started, call some of the larger firms in your area and see if they will hire you for easier type searches such as lien searches & bring downs.  That way you've got their E&O all the while having someone watching over your work (someone to ask questions of, someone to notice if you've missed something apparent, etc)