Did you know lawyers aren’t the only legal professionals out there? Whether you’ve been served by surprise or have been working toward the courtroom for some time, the legal paperwork can be complex and confusing. Legal document assistants (LDAs) and paralegals are additional resources you can draw upon to make your legal paperwork a breeze. But how do you know which can help you in your unique situation?
What Are Paralegals?
If you’ve watched any type of daytime legal drama on TV within the past ten years, you’ve probably heard the term “paralegal” thrown around. Sounds important, for sure, but these mediums rarely explain a paralegal’s duties accurately or at all.
The American Bar Association states paralegals are individuals who “perform specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.” Attorneys take ownership of a paralegal’s work and must supervise paralegals in their duties. In short, paralegals assist attorneys with legal legwork – whether that is preparing legal documents, organizing evidence and arguments for trial, or meeting with clients. In fact, paralegals often do most or all the case work for simple legal matters. These duties, especially as they relate to legal documents, can sometimes overlap with an LDA’s position.
California has very strict regulations detailing who may be called a paralegal, although the term is quite widespread and LDAs are often confused for paralegals. However similar their duties can sometimes be, though, the entities paralegals serve are often a giveaway for whether someone is an LDA or paralegal. Paralegals work internally for organizations such as law firms, companies, or agencies. They never work with the public in this position.
How Can Legal Document Assistants (LDAs) Help?
LDAs are legal professionals who have received the training and education necessary to prepare documents for clients undergoing the legal process. Essentially, they specialize in a paralegal’s document duties. LDAs and paralegals also boast unique client bases. Where paralegals serve organizations, LDAs work with the public specifically. An individual may be both an LDA and a paralegal, depending on who they are working with at the time.
Although LDAs are familiar with the law and legal requirements for filing court documents, they are not attorneys and cannot offer legal advice to clients or represent them in court. Their area of expertise lies with completing and filing legal paperwork at their clients’ directions. This makes them an ideal choice if you know exactly what legal course to take, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of filling out documents yourself or if you are confused about how to complete certain documents. An LDA can help with things such as:
- Divorce Petitions
- Naturalization Applications
- Probate
- Wills and Trusts
- And More!
LDAs have not undergone the intensive schooling required to become an attorney. This often means they are a more inexpensive legal option for you if you know exactly how to proceed. Their entire job is to make legal processes less stressful for their clients.
The Inland Empire’s Local Legal Document Assistants
When court documents are staring you down, it may be time to look to a professional for help. The LDAs at Prose Legal can offer personalized service catered to your local county’s court requirements, unlike impersonal online services. Our entire team lives and works in the Inland Empire, so we know what concerns may be affecting our neighbors. Whether you need assistance navigating probate or you could use some help applying for citizenship, we get to know you and your goals first and work with you throughout the completion and filing process.
If you need help with your legal paperwork,
