CALIFORNIA LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANT DISCLAIMER

According to California Business and Professional Code §6400(c)(1), a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is any person who provides, or assists in providing, or offers to provide, or offers to assist in providing, for compensation, any self-help service to a member of the public who is representing himself or herself in a legal matter, or who holds himself or herself out as someone who offers that service or has that authority. 

SB1418 authorizes an LDA to provide clients with help in the preparation of court papers and legal forms for filing with the California courts. This law authorizes non-lawyers to prepare and file legal documents for people doing their own legal tasks.  

An LDA may distribute to their customers legal materials that have been published or approved by a lawyer, prepare legal documents under the direction of their customers, and file legal documents in the appropriate courts. An LDA is not a lawyer. By law, an LDA cannot give you legal advice or represent you in the courts in any matter. If you need to consult with an attorney, we will be able to provide you with a referral.