Legal Document Preparers: An Efficient and Affordable Option

Each year 38 million Americans are closed out of the legal justice system, mostly because of high legal fees. But hiring an attorney isn’t always necessary. If you are dealing with a routine, uncontested legal matter, a legal document preparer can help you correctly fill out and submit important legal forms for just a fraction of the cost. According to The American Bar Associaion Journal, Americans could save 1.3 billion a year by using non-attorney legal document services instead of lawyers to handle routine legal matters. Here is a brief overview of what legal document preparers can do.

What is a legal document?
A legal document is any official document that provides legal information, states a contractual relationship or grants some right. Most legal matters require that official forms which are often complex, are filled out and filed with the courts. Incorrectly filled out legal forms will delay your case, often for long periods of time.

Who are legal document preparers?
Legal document preparers are professionals, qualified through education, training or work experience, who provide the public with a simple and affordable option in handling their legal affairs. They are not lawyers and do not offer legal advice.

What does a legal document preparer do?
Legal document preparers help consumers represent themselves (pro se litigation) in undisputed legal matters by preparing the necessary legal documents to court standards.

What is the benefit of using a legal document preparer?
By helping you effectively represent yourself, a legal document preparer allows you to bypass the often unnecessary expense and hassle of hiring of an attorney, which can cost 50-80% more than a legal document preparer. A legal document provider also offers a non-adversarial environment in which to settle undisputed legal matters.

What is the difference between legal information and legal advice?
Legal document preparation is the distribution of legal information to the public. This legal information is general in nature. It is not tailored to the unique facts of a customer’s situation and does not recommend a strategic course of action. For example, legal information may include providing a customer with information about the law and legal procedures to assist them in representing themselves, but would not suggest what option to take or what to put on the forms. In contrast, legal advice is specific to the unique circumstances of the client and goes beyond mere general advice appropriate for all persons who confront the same issue.

Should I see an attorney or a legal document preparer?
If you do not know your legal rights in a situation, you should see an attorney; but not all legal matters require an attorney. If you have already decided on a course of action and the matter is undisputed, a legal document preparer is an efficient and affordable alternative to hiring a lawyer.

How can a legal document preparer help me? Most legal document professionals deal in a wide variety of subjects, including: