What is a Certified Legal Document Preparer (CLDP)?
The Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 7-208 (A) defines a legal document preparer as “an individual or business entity certified to prepare or provide legal documents, without the supervision of an attorney, for an entity or a member of the public who is engaging in self- representation in any legal matter.”
Certification as a CLDP requires having prior legal experience working under the supervision of an attorney, passing a rigorous exam, and continuing education each year.
Is a Legal Document Preparer the same as a paralegal?
Though they both prepare legal documents, as required by Arizona law, a paralegal cannot prepare legal documents unless under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Whereas a certified legal document preparer does not require supervision by a licensed attorney.
A legal document preparer is not a lawyer, is not employed by a lawyer, and cannot represent a client in court.
A legal document preparer can provide general legal information, but they cannot provide any kind of advice, opinion or recommendation to a consumer about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies.
Communications with a legal document preparer are confidential but are not attorney-client privileged.
No dual representation: CLDPs cannot work with clients who are already represented by an attorney.
10 hours of Continuing Legal Education per year is required to maintain certification.
As a former law firm administrator, Shelli’s business and legal expertise ranges across small business management, human resources, office processes & systems, bookkeeping, estate planning & estate administration, trust funding, and business formation.
Shelli is the mother of three well-adjusted, adult children and one less well-adjusted, spoiled cat. Her passion is travelling the world with her husband.
Education
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts in Education
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Licenses & Certifications
Shelli is licensed as a Legal Document Preparer by the board of Non-Lawyer Legal Service Providers under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Arizona.
Shelli is licensed and bonded as a Notary Public in Arizona.
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