2
Feb

An LDA is an experienced professional who is authorized to prepare legal documents for a client, but only at the direction of the client and pursuant to Business and Profession Code Section 6400. LDA’s provided non-attorney document preparation solutions for the public, as such;

• A Legal Document Assistant is NOT a Lawyer.
• By law, they cannot give you legal advice or represent you in the courts in any matter.
• If you need to consult with an attorney, your LDA will be able to provide you with a referral.
• We always suggest that you be sure to ask the LDA you are thinking of retaining if he or she is bonded and registered in their county. This is for your protection. If a person is acting as an LDA but is not registered and bonded, then they are operating illegally in California. The Bond is for your protection!

To qualify as a Legal Document Assistant, a person must:

• Register in the County in which they work, however are able to file documents through out the State of California
• Post a $25,000 Bond
• Establish that he or she has the requisite level of experience and/or education in the field

Every Legal Document Assistant is required to use a Contract. The Contract will provide appropriate notice to the Legal Document Assistant’s customers regarding the scope of the customers’ rights and the Legal Document Assistant’s duties. This Bill was passed for your protection. When you look to hire a Legal Document Assistant after January 1, 2000 be sure to ask if he or she is bonded and registered.

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 asParalegals. 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 be bonded in the county in which they have their principal place of business.