FAQs
Have questions about our legal document preparation services? Find quick answers about our process, fees, and compliance below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers about our legal document preparation process, pricing, turnaround times, and how we assist self-represented individuals.
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An LDA can work directly for you; a paralegal can't. California paralegals work under attorney supervision and can only serve law firm clients. Legal Document Assistants are registered and bonded to prepare legal documents directly for self-represented individuals — at your direction, since SDTS is not an attorney and doesn't give legal advice.
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No. Deciding how to proceed is a legal opinion, and only an attorney can give one. An LDA can give you general published legal information and prepare, file, and serve the documents you direct us to — but the strategy decisions are yours. If you're not sure what to file, talk to an attorney first, then come to us for the paperwork.
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California LDAs must register and bond with the County Clerk where they do business, and must list their registration number on their documents and advertising. Ask for the number and expiration date, then confirm it with your County Clerk's office. You should also receive a written contract for services before any work begins. No registration number and no contract means no LDA.
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LDA services fit best when you already know what you want to do, the other side isn't contesting it, and the matter uses standard court forms. If the other side has a lawyer, if there's a real dispute, or if you're unsure what your options are, you need an attorney. California law requires us to tell you when your matter exceeds self-help services — and we will.
What is the advantage of hiring an LDA?
If you've already decided how you want to handle your matter and you're representing yourself, a Legal Document Assistant can prepare your documents for you.
Cost. LDA services typically cost significantly less than full attorney representation, because the work is different — we're preparing documents, not advising you or representing you in court.
Accuracy and completeness. Court forms have specific formatting, filing, and service requirements. We prepare your documents professionally so they're complete, organized, and ready to sign or file.
Time. Gathering the right forms, filling them out correctly, and assembling a complete package takes time. We handle that part so you don't have to.
Registered and bonded. California Legal Document Assistants are registered with the county and required to maintain a bond. You're working with someone operating under a defined regulatory framework, not an unregulated service.
An LDA is not a substitute for an attorney. We don't give legal advice, recommend a course of action, or represent you. If your matter is contested, complex, or you're unsure what to do, an attorney is the right choice — and we're happy to point you toward a licensed California attorney or a State Bar–certified Lawyer Referral Service.
MANDATORY CALIFORNIA BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS CODE COMPLIANCE DISCLAIMER:
San Diego Thrive Solutions (SDTS) is a Legal Document Assistant, registered and bonded in the State of California, County of San Diego. SDTS is neither a law firm nor an attorney. SDTS is prohibited from providing legal advice; we cannot select legal forms for clients, and we cannot represent you in court.
We prepare legal documents at the specific direction of our clients pursuant to California Business and Professions Code section 6400.
Within this site, SDTS provides resource links directing you to procedural information and forms that have been made available to you by government agencies. The intent is to provide you with self-help resources that have relevance to your legal matter. These resources do not provide legal advice or legal opinion and should not be relied on as such.
SDTS’ services provide professional, accurate, self-help document preparation strictly under your specific directions. If you require legal advice or representation, please consult a licensed attorney.
Once knowledgeable in the process, we can proceed with helping you based on the direction you are then able to provide.