Legal Document Assistant in Sacramento

The primary function of a registered legal document assistant (LDA) is to help individuals prepare legal documents before being filed. The laws regulating simple procedures in the County of Sacramento are often complex and confusing. This makes it difficult for the general public to complete the required paperwork without the assistance of a trained professional. An LDA can help clients understand which documents are necessary, how they should be filled out, and where they should be filed.

To become an LDA in the state of California, a person must have a certificate of completion from a paralegal program, a bachelor’s degree and one year of legal experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney, or a high school diploma and two years of law-related practice with the direction of a licensed attorney. All LDAs must also register in the County they practice, post a bond of $25,000, and be transparent about their level of education with clients.

The answer is no. Paralegals and LDAs are two different types of professionals. Paralegals work under a lawyer to research legal matters and assist with court cases. A divorce paralegal often has experience in law and can help attorneys by conducting investigations, drafting court documents, and answering questions about clients’ legal issues. In contrast, LDAs do not work under the supervision of an attorney within a law firm or government agency. Most LDAs are self-employed and provide accessible clerical services for individuals who only need help preparing legal documents.

Our LDAs can prepare and help you file various legal documents, including child custody, child visitation, child support, conservatorship, guardianship, restraining order, Sacramento deed services, estate planning, business contract draft, and notarized documents. Some LDAs can also help individuals complete court forms that apply to their specific situation, but they cannot give legal advice or represent clients in court.

Cost – Typically, the clerical services offered by an LDA are more affordable than those offered by a will attorney. Most legal preparation services start at an accessible rate for the general public but increase depending on the complexity of the procedure and the amount of work involved for each case.

Accuracy – When an LDA prepares a legal document, he/she ensures that everything is formatted correctly according to state laws and regulations. There will be no mistakes in the paperwork once filed with the corresponding government agency. An LDA can also explain confusing points within a specific document so that you can fully understand its context.

Speed – Get documents prepared faster by hiring a licensed professional who understands the clerical system of a specific County. This is especially true if the process involves multiple steps or if certain technicalities need to be addressed with the preparation of specific legal documents.

LDAs are licensed professionals who can prepare legal documents at the discretion of clients. Hence, LDAs can only assist individuals that already know the proper course of action and simply need help with the corresponding paperwork. LDAs are not lawyers. They are legally prohibited from giving legal advice and cannot represent someone in court. Laws concerning Legal Document Assistants are outlined in the California Business and Professions Code (BPC 6400-6415).

If you need to learn about your legal rights, consult an attorney before making any decisions regarding your case, even if it seems relatively straightforward. If you have a complicated legal situation involving multiple parties, contact a lawyer to represent your interests in court.