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      Formerly known as an Independent Paralegal, an LDA, Legal Document Assistant, is trained in legal document preparation. An LDA works for the public directly, and is not under the supervision of an attorney. An LDA cannot give you legal advice or inform you of your legal rights.
      In 1970, California became a "No Fault" divorce state paving the way for self-representation.
      As of January 2000, LDA's are required to be registered with the county in which they do business and carry a bond of at least $25,000, as well as meet certain requirements for educational and/or practical experience.
      If you have specific legal questions, and/or want and need to be informed of your legal rights with regard to child custody, child or spousal support, and/or property division, you should consult with an attorney for advice.
      Hiring a Legal Document Assistant usually will save you time and money over hiring an attorney to obtain your divorce. Your LDA will bring in teams or give referrals to other professionals, as you need.

Why use an LDA?

  • You save time and money
  • Usually avoid Court appearance
  • Make your own decisions regarding children and property division
  • Maintain option of hiring an attorney for advice or consultation or representation, at any time.

Meet our LDAs.


Disclaimer: The members of ADP are all independent businesses. We are not in business with each other, unless specifically noted as such. We are each responsible only for the services we individually provide, and we do not profit, supervise, or take responsibility for services provided by any other member. Members do not act as agents, employees, or independent contractors for any other members. The content of this website is not to be construed as legal advice.
ADP will help you obtain a better or good, uncontested, mediated, collaborative, no court divorce using a legal document assistant [LDA], or mediation with a mediator, or a collaborative divorce using collaborative law with a collaborative attorney or lawyer, resulting in a marital settlement agreement [MSA], memorandum of understanding [MOU], and filing all the necessary legal forms, such as asset and liability and income and expenses financial disclosure forms, as well as a qualified domestic relations order aka QDRO. Your divorce will include all separate, community & quasi community property, debts, financial disclosure forms, retirement plans, 401k plans, pension plans, as well as spousal support, alimony and child support. There will be a custody agreement that might be sole, joint and primary and include move-away issues, as well as a parenting and/or co-parenting plan, and could include pet custody, time-share or visitation schedule. This process is good for co-habitation agreements, as well as civil union, gay & lesbian partners and/or relationships, domestic partnerships.
Copyright © 2008 by the Alliance of Divorce Professionals (ADP)