Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: What is the difference between a Paralegal and a Legal Document Assistant?
A: Legal Document Assistants in the State of California are sometimes incorrectly referred to as Independent Paralegals or Freelance Paralegals. On September 30, 1998 Governor Pete Wilson signed California State Senate Bill SB1418, regulating the legal document preparation profession in the State of California, and creating a new formal title, Legal Document Assistant (LDA).

While many LDAs have paralegal education and experience, they are not the same as paralegals. A paralegal can only perform legal services under the supervision of an attorney; under California law, a paralegal cannot provide document preparation services directly to the consumer unless the work is attorney supervised. Paralegals are prohibited from working independently for the public, but may offer freelance paralegal services to attorneys. LDAs are permitted to provide legal document preparation services to consumers, after complying with the registration and bonding requirements. Neither paralegals nor LDAs are permitted to engage in the practice of law.

Legal Document Assistants are not lawyers and do not offer legal advice, discuss legal strategies, answer questions of a legal nature, select forms for the consumer, or appear in court on the consumer’s behalf. They are professionals, qualified through education, training or work experience, authorized to assist consumers representing themselves in legal matters by preparing and processing the necessary legal documents.

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