Who are Legal Document Assistants? (LDA)
Legal Document Assistants were once commonly known as Independent Paralegals. However, as of January 1st, 2000, only those Paralegals working directly for attorneys may now be referred to as Paralegals. Those formerly known as Independent Paralegals are now officially known as Legal Document Assistants (LDAs). LDAs often have the same educational background as a paralegal and are REQUIRED by law to be registered and bonded in the county in which they have their principal place of business.
How It Works
Working with an LDA is easy. Remember, I am not an attorney so I cannot give you legal advice, choose forms for you or represent you in court. My website is designed for “self-education” to help individuals make decisions about what services they may need
If you do not find the information you need, feel free to reach out to me and I can provide you with a pre-printed instruction sheet or list, prepared by a licensed California Attorney, which specifies what forms are needed for your situation.
What can an LDA do?
- Distribute to their customers legal materials that have been published or approved by a lawyer
- Prepare the customers’ legal documents under the direction of their customers
- File the customers’ legal documents in the appropriate courts
Next Steps for Working with an LDA:
You Should:
- Review the entire website and the videos on the Home Page:
- Review the “Resources” page for links to self-help information
- Choose Your Forms and/or decide which documents you want prepared.
I will send you a Notice to Consumer and LDA Contract, outlining the services to be performed and the fees. This is required by law.
After the contract is signed, I will send you a questionnaire to complete. Your responses to the questionnaire will be used to complete the forms and/or prepare the documents that you have selected and, if necessary, file them with the court.