LDAs are authorized to prepare legal documents for people who don’t want to hire an attorney. An LDA can’t give advice but they can complete legal documents and issue helpful information, usually written by an attorney, to their clients to assist them in their pursuits. For example, an LDA can complete the necessary paperwork to form a corporation or an uncontested divorce. An LDA must be bonded and file an application at the county clerk’s office.

The seminar will show students how to complete a Living Trust with supporting documents, eviction paperwork for landlords, uncontested divorce proceedings, how to represent claimants for SSDI claims, draft business contracts, learn essential elements of a contract, and establish LLCs, S Corps, and C Corps. This seminar includes instructions on how to register with the state as an LDA.

An LDA must meet one of the following requirements:

• 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.

• A baccalaureate degree in any field and either a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney, or a minimum of one year of experience, prior to January 1, 1999, providing self-help service.

• A certificate of completion from a paralegal program that is institutionally accredited but not approved by the American Bar Association, that requires successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester units, or the equivalent, in legal specialization courses.

• A certificate of completion from a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.