Source: https://www.saclegalprep.com/lda.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 14:50:33
Document Index: 60274613

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 6400', '§ 6400', '§ 6400', '§ 6400', '§ 6408', '§ 6411', '§ 6452']

Becoming a Legal Document Assistant - PH: (916) 750-0073 EMAIL: ANGELA@SACLEGALPREP.COM
A PRACTICAL perspective​
​Revised 01/09/2019 by Angela Grijalva
Should I Register As A Legal Document Assistant (LDA)?
Are you well organized, detail oriented, self directed, professional who enjoys working with the public? Then becoming an LDA might be right for you.
If you are contemplating providing legal document preparation directly to the public for compensation without the supervision of an attorney, you may be required to register as a Legal Document Assistant, according to Business & Professions Code § 6400, et seq.
Bus & Professions Code § 6400(c)(1) 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. This paragraph does not apply to any individual whose assistance consists merely of secretarial or receptionist services."
Making that decision to walk down this career pathway requires more than just adherence to B&P section 6400, et seq., it requires a commitment and a belief in oneself to take on challenges of not only the legal industry, but also working with California courts that are severely underfunded. This challenge, however can be very rewarding. Legal Document Assistants close the legal resource gap that often exists in our judicial system. We serve members of the public who aren't able to hire a lawyer, while alleviating the demand on limited court resources. Legal Document Assistants are an affordable non-attorney alternative for members of the public facing a legal problems, but can't afford to hire an attorney.
I offer mentor consultations to Paralegals, Paralegal Students, and Non-Attorney Professionals who are ready to take that next step and become an LDA.
Schedule a Mentor Consultation
The best way to navigate Bus & Professions Code § 6400, et seq. is with the support of other LDA professionals. The California Association of Legal Document Assistants (CALDA) is an amazing organization of California LDAs committed to the profession and mentorship of up and coming LDAs. Many of the members have been serving the public since before LDA became a profession. Member benefits include:
Member Match - Mentorship from an experience LDA
State Bar Approved Continuing Legal Education
CALDA Community Forums - Ask Questions, Access to Resources & More
LDA Contracts
CALDA Logos
Monthly Chapter Meetings - Network with fellow LDA Entrepreneurs
Questionnaires - A MUST
Nolo Press Law Library – CALDA maintains a large selection of titles
Elias Attorney Referral Network​
While Bus & Professions Code § 6400, et seq. goes into great detail about the role and responsibilities of an LDA, what it does not tell you is the business aspect of becoming an LDA. Self-Employment is not for everyone. There are federal, state, and local business requirements that your business must comply with. Then there is the financial aspect. Are you ready to prepare financial statements like a Profit & Loss or how about a Balance Sheet? Sure you can contract out the accounting portion, but that costs money. In addition, you'll need vital components in place such as marketing, client management software, and drafting software for pleadings which may require thousands of initial investment. What will the day to day operations be like? What will clients experience when they interface with your business, i.e. client flow.
Then becoming an LDA may be right for you after all. The best place to start is with building your business is with the support of the Small Business Administration. Having a business plan with 3/5/10 years goals is important. This is the framework your business will follow. It's really comes down to the entrepreneurial mindset. To help keep me motivated and on track I surround myself with like minded professionals by network with fellow entrepreneurs and listen to podcasts such as Side Hustle Pro.
Click Below for Business Building Resources:
Square Credit Card Processing Service(Free $1,000 Processing)
Google Voice(Free business telephone number)
Weebly(Simple and cost effective website platform)
Step by Step Process of Becoming an LDA
Establish that he or she has a minimum level of experience and/or education:
​(a) A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, and either a minimum of two years of law-related experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney, or a minimum of two years experience, prior to January 1, 1999, providing self-help service.
There are two amazing ABA Paralegal/Legal Assisting Education Programs here in Sacramento, while both are amazing programs, only you can decide which is right for you.
American River College = Legal Assisting
MTI College = Paralegal Studies
The Legal Talk Network, The Paralegal Voice has a great podcast "Become a Paralegal: How to Choose a School and Get Experience" which discussion how to choose a paralegal educational institution right for you.
NOTE: If you completed a Paralegal Program at an educational institution you may either order official transcripts or provide a copy of your degree as proof of certificate completion. [DO NOT OPEN OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS. THE COUNTY CLERK/RECORDER WILL.]
Open a USPS PO Box or UPS mailbox. This step is not required but recommended. Your business address will be listed on your Bond, the County LDA Application, LDA ID Card, all business documents and the Fictitious Business Name Application. Remember the bond and any information listed on bond becomes part of official public record once recorded with the county. [TIP: to keep your home address private.]
Bus & Professions Code § 6408
The registrant’s name, business address, telephone number, registration number, and county of registration shall appear on any solicitation or advertising, and on any appropriate papers or documents prepared or used by the registrant, including, but not limited to, contracts, letterhead, business cards, correspondence, documents, forms, claims, petitions, checks, receipts, money orders, and pleadings.
​Fictitious Business Name
What will be your business name? While filing a Fictitious Business Name is not required it will help improve your company profile. Protect your business name by registering it with the Sacramento County Department of Finance. [TIP: Terms "Paralegal," “Paralegal Services,” “Legal Aid,” “Legal Services,” or other misleading terms should not be included in advertising and business names.]
​Bus & Professions Code § 6411, et seq.:
(f) Use in the person’s business name or advertising the words “legal aid,” “legal services,” or any similar term that has the capacity, tendency, or likelihood to mislead members of the public about that person’s status as a nonprofit corporation or governmentally supported organization offering legal services without charge to indigent people, or employing members of the State Bar to provide those services.
Bus & Professions Code § 6452, et seq.:
Present a bond in the amount of $25,000 naming the registrant as principal providing the term of the bond, two (2) years, commencement date and expiration date. A California Legal Document Assistant Bond is about $400 for two years. Click here for a list of CALDA approved Bond Agencies. [TIP: You can obtain a combined LDA and UD bond]
County Registration (Sacramento County Individual LDA Application)
LDAs are required to register in the county of primary practice and in any county in which you maintain a branch office (each county requires a separate bond).
If you registering at the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder's Office here is what to expect:
Start early. Their office opens at 8:00 AM Monday - Friday. Documents deposited after 3:00 p.m. are recorded the next business day.
Make sure you have everything completed before you head out. You don't want to have to start all over again with another clerk the next day.​
​Pay the fees: You may also use a credit/debit card before 3pm, otherwise have your checkbook ready.
File registration: $93.00
​LDA ID Card: The clerk will take your picture and within 30 min provide your card. Remember you will be presenting this card to your clients, so dress professionally.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE A LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANT!