How Do I Hire a Personal Assistant Legally?

Manali Mehrishi
Apr 30
3 min read

Hiring a personal assistant can be a game-changer, but doing it legally is just as important as finding the right person. Whether you're hiring someone for a few hours a week or full-time, there are legal responsibilities you must understand as an employer.

It all comes down to proper planning—understanding the type of hire, setting expectations clearly, and following employment or contractor laws. With the right structure in place, you can enjoy the benefits of having reliable support while staying compliant and secure.

Step 1: Decide the Nature of the Hire – Employee or Independent Contractor?
Step 2: Create a Clear Job Description
Step 3: Draft a Contract or Agreement
Step 4: Handle Legal & Tax Requirements
Step 5: Verify Identity and Background
Personal Assistant Services with My Family Lounge

Step 1: Decide the Nature of the Hire – Employee or Independent Contractor?

First things first—are you hiring an employee or a contractor? This classification will impact how you handle taxes, benefits, and legal paperwork.

Independent Contractor (e.g., Virtual Assistant): They work for you temporarily or on a flexible basis, using their tools. You typically don’t need to withhold taxes for them.
Employee (e.g., full-time in-person PA): You’ll be responsible for taxes, insurance, and legal employment compliance.

Consulting a tax advisor or labor attorney can help you classify the role correctly based on your local laws.

Step 2: Create a Clear Job Description

Whether you want to hire a personal assistant virtually or in person, clarity is key. A detailed job description helps avoid confusion later. Include:

Scope of work (emails, errands, scheduling, etc.)
Expected working hours
Location (remote/in-person)
Skills or qualifications needed
Payment terms and mode (hourly, weekly, monthly)

Step 3: Draft a Contract or Agreement

To protect both parties, a written contract is essential, especially if you’re hiring independently. The agreement should outline:

Job responsibilities
Working hours and leave policy
Payment structure
Confidentiality clause
Termination terms
Any additional terms (like trial periods or NDAs)

This document ensures legal transparency and sets expectations from the start.

Step 4: Handle Legal & Tax Requirements

This is where things get real. If you’re hiring a personal assistant as an employee, you’ll need to:

Register as an employer with your local tax authority
Provide a pay stub or wage slip
Deduct and remit income tax, social security, and other required benefits
Possibly provide workers’ compensation or liability insurance
Maintain employee records

If you’re hiring a freelancer or contractor, you may just need to:

Collect an invoice for services rendered
Submit a 1099 form (in the US) if payments exceed a certain amount
Keep transaction records for audits or bookkeeping

Again, local labor laws vary, so it’s a good idea to consult a professional if you’re unsure.

Step 5: Verify Identity and Background

Before you hire a personal assistant—especially if they’ll have access to your home, family, or sensitive information—always do your due diligence:

Run a background check (with consent)
Check professional references
Verify IDs and, if relevant, work authorization

This step is crucial for both security and legal protection.

Personal Assistant Services with My Family Lounge

If all of this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. At My Family Lounge, we make it easy and legal to hire a personal assistant. Our services are built for busy individuals who want trustworthy, vetted, and professionally managed personal support without the legal hassle.

We take care of background checks, contracts, interviews, and legal formalities so you can focus on what matters—getting the help you need to simplify life. Whether you need someone once a week or every day, we tailor the service to your lifestyle and ensure it's compliant from day one.

Let us help you hire a personal assistant, the stress-free and legal way.