Legal Document Help
When it comes to preparing legal documents---whether a will, a rental agreement, a simple divorce or a real estate deed---most people need a little help. Formal legal language and procedure can be confusing to a lay person. Fortunately, there are a number of sources to assist do-it-yourselfers who wish to save money and time by preparing and filing simple legal documents without paying an attorney for assistance.
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Court-connected Law Libraries
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Many local courts have law libraries that are a great resource for people who need help preparing legal documents. Librarians and other staff can direct individuals in the right direction for pertinent legal research sources as well as legal forms and documents that can be used for court filings.
A benefit of using a law library for legal document help is that it is free. A drawback is the fact that conducting legal research without experience can be confusing, and while law librarians can help you find the document, they cannot help you fill it out correctly.
DIY Legal Software
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In recent years, the self-help legal software business has boomed. Marketed to individuals, software can be purchased that allows a person to generate state-specific legal documents such as wills, trusts, incorporations, bankruptcy petitions and divorces with the click of a mouse.
The biggest benefit to this type of legal document help is that you are walked through the directions step by step in a simple and encouraging manner. The biggest drawback is cost, as some of the program packages are expensive.
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Non-Attorney Document Preparers
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California and Arizona allow non-lawyers to charge fees to help people prepare simple legal documents as long as they don't give legal advice. Called legal document assistants in California and legal document preparers in Arizona, these people are licensed and regulated by the states in which they practice. Federal law also allows non-attorneys to prepare bankruptcy petitions for people seeking relief under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
Non-attorney document preparers do charge a fee, but it is substantially less than most attorneys charge. You need to be careful when choosing this route for legal document help because some states consider non-attorneys who charge a fee to prepare legal documents to be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.
Legal Aid
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Many states have legal aid societies that are set up to assist people who cannot afford an attorney with simple legal tasks, including the preparation of legal documents. You can find a society that is close to you by checking the phone book or online. Additionally, clerk courts can often provide information about contacting legal aid. Individuals usually need to schedule an appointment to meet with one of the volunteer attorneys or paralegals who give their time to legal aid offices.
The upside to using legal aid for document help is that you will work with experienced legal service providers who are trained and educated in the law. Many legal aid offices offer assistance to the public at no charge, but some charge fees based on a sliding scale. The downside is that it can take a while to get an appointment because these offices are often understaffed.
Friends and Family
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Friends and family who have experience preparing certain legal documents are often a great resource for help. A brother-in-law who sells real estate may have the knowledge and access to software to help prepare many legal real estate forms. A neighbor who formed his own small business as a limited liability corporation, or LLC, may be able to help you prepare legal business documents.
The best part about asking for legal document help from knowledgeable people who know you personally is that they will often help you without charging anything. On the flip side, you may have to share very personal information with them so that the forms can be completed correctly.
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