divorce help : HELP FOR CALIFORNIANS
Legal Document Assistants (LDAs) used to call themselves "paralegals" but that was changed by California law in 2000. LDAs act, basically, as a typing service for people doing their own divorces. You can tell them exactly what you want and they type up the forms and handle the secretarial work. I introduced this innovative service in 1972 and LDAs have since changed the face of the legal map. Their rates are generally $300 to $800 for doing your basic paperwork.
It's very important to understand the limitations of LDAs. Some are trained, but no training is required—anyone can do it. You can't get reliable legal advice from LDAs. There are many good ones out there, but be careful who you hire. Ask how long they've been in business and be sure to check references. If you know exactly what you want and have no legal questions, no problems, and no marital settlement agreement beyond the one in How to Do Your Own Divorce in California, then using an experienced and reliable LDA is a very good way to get your paperwork done.
Divorce Helpline was created to change the way attorneys practice in divorce cases, to provide expert support for people who are doing their own divorces. Divorce Helpline attorneys work exclusively on solving problems and settling divorces. We will not litigate or represent people—we don't believe in it. Instead, we serve as your guide and assistant. Divorce Helpline attorneys are trained in mediation and communication, and are good at solving problems in a practical way. We have to be, because unlike other attorneys, we earn less if you can't settle your case. If you can't settle, we refer you to a litigating attorney in your area and give a refund for any work not completed due to your unresolved conflict.
Divorce Helpline can do a much better job for you when we do the whole case—the paperwork and the marital settlement agreement—as well as giving you advice. That way we have all the information, not just the small bit you are asking about. When we do the whole case, we often find issues, problems to solve and ways to save money that people didn't know to ask about. If you are using mediation and arbitration, Divorce Helpline does that too. Divorce Helpline attorneys charge $1,995 for a complete divorce package, which includes an attorney-drafted marital settlement agreement. If you use a lot of counseling and other services, it is possible to run up a bill as high as $2,500—your total cost for both spouses, but the higher cost is not typical.
by Ed Sherman
It's very important to understand the limitations of LDAs. Some are trained, but no training is required—anyone can do it. You can't get reliable legal advice from LDAs. There are many good ones out there, but be careful who you hire. Ask how long they've been in business and be sure to check references. If you know exactly what you want and have no legal questions, no problems, and no marital settlement agreement beyond the one in How to Do Your Own Divorce in California, then using an experienced and reliable LDA is a very good way to get your paperwork done.
Divorce Helpline was created to change the way attorneys practice in divorce cases, to provide expert support for people who are doing their own divorces. Divorce Helpline attorneys work exclusively on solving problems and settling divorces. We will not litigate or represent people—we don't believe in it. Instead, we serve as your guide and assistant. Divorce Helpline attorneys are trained in mediation and communication, and are good at solving problems in a practical way. We have to be, because unlike other attorneys, we earn less if you can't settle your case. If you can't settle, we refer you to a litigating attorney in your area and give a refund for any work not completed due to your unresolved conflict.
Divorce Helpline can do a much better job for you when we do the whole case—the paperwork and the marital settlement agreement—as well as giving you advice. That way we have all the information, not just the small bit you are asking about. When we do the whole case, we often find issues, problems to solve and ways to save money that people didn't know to ask about. If you are using mediation and arbitration, Divorce Helpline does that too. Divorce Helpline attorneys charge $1,995 for a complete divorce package, which includes an attorney-drafted marital settlement agreement. If you use a lot of counseling and other services, it is possible to run up a bill as high as $2,500—your total cost for both spouses, but the higher cost is not typical.
by Ed Sherman
