What Is A Legal Document Assistant

LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANTS

A California Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is an experienced professional who is authorized under California law to prepare legal documents for consumers. However, an LDA is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice or represent individuals in court.

LDAs have the same educational background as a paralegal and are required by law to be registered or bonded in the county in which they have their principal place of business. (Business and Professions Code Section 6400). The registration is valid for two years, at which time it must be renewed. In the past, individuals who assisted the public in completing legal documents were permitted to call themselves Independent Paralegals. Effective January 1, 2001, Business and Professions Code Section 6450 redefined "paralegal" to mean only those who work for and are supervised by attorneys. Excluded from that definition are LDAs. LDAs are prohibited from calling themselves paralegals.

The LDA statute clearly requires LDAs to maintain a bond, and to be registered in order to offer California document preparation services to the public. Paralegals are not required to register as they work only for attorneys and not for consumers.

WHAT CAN A LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANT DO?

At your direction, LDAs can complete court forms for you, helping you to avoid pitfalls and making sure that all the important details are properly filled in. LDAs may also file forms with the court and have them served. LDAs may also supply books and publications authored or approved by attorneys.

~ Legal Document Assistants like Los Angeles-based Michael Jay have helped dozens of people in simple cases, in which hiring an attorney would be costly and inconvenient. Michael Jay offers Los Angeles divorce service, family court help, child support, custody, and visitation documentation, among many other legal services which are much quicker and more affordable than working with attorneys. For a quick and speedy low cost divorce Los Angeles, call Michael Jay at (310) 276-5013 for a free consultation.

About the Author:
Michael Jay first became a registered Legal Document Assistant in 1995 (LDA#0014) and has been helping people ever since.

This article has been viewed 16 time(s).

Print this article
Tell a Friend about this article