A Legal Document Preparer is a trained professional who helps complete legal forms accurately
and in compliance with court standards. While they cannot provide legal advice, they assist with
a wide range of documents, including court forms, contracts, deeds, and more.
No, Legal Document Preparers cannot offer legal advice or representation. They focus strictly on
preparing documents based on the information provided by the client.
Support is available for divorce papers, child custody forms, wills, living trusts, deeds, name
changes, evictions, and more.
The process begins with a short intake to understand your needs, followed by signing an LDA
contract. Drafts are prepared for your review, and once approved, documents are finalized and
filed with the court if needed.
Legal Document Preparers are often more affordable because they do not offer legal advice or
court representation. They focus exclusively on preparing documents accurately and efficiently.
LDAs must be registered with the county clerk. You can also search the California Association of
Legal Document Assistants (CALDA) at www.calda.org to find qualified professionals.