California LDA
Questions

An LDA provides defined self-help services to people representing themselves. Document preparation means completing documents you selected, in a ministerial manner, at your specific direction—not deciding what your legal matter needs. ClearPath is not a law firm.

ClearPath cannot advise you about legal rights, represent you in court, or choose your forms or strategy. Attorney licensing and LDA registration are different systems. If you need an assessment of what you should do, seek an attorney rather than a document-preparation package.

No. California's paralegal statute describes work under an attorney's direction and supervision and restricts direct consumer contracting for paralegal services. LDA work for self-represented consumers has its own limited scope. A paralegal certificate does not authorize legal advice to the public.

No. The statutory identification card and contract disclosures say the county clerk has not evaluated the registrant's knowledge, experience or services. Registration is not an attorney license or a county endorsement. This FAQ does not independently verify ClearPath's registration.

Ask the county clerk identified in the provider's disclosures about its registration records, and check the registrant's name, number and expiration date. County clerks maintain the register. The Santa Clara County page below explains that office's registration process; it is not proof of any particular provider's current status.

California provides for a bond or a cash-deposit alternative. The required amount depends on whether registration is individual or through a partnership or corporation and, for those entities, staffing. A bond is not a guarantee of results or automatic reimbursement; recovery depends on the applicable legal requirements. No ClearPath bond amount or coverage is verified here.

Recommending forms, legal options or strategies is outside an LDA's permitted role, even when a choice appears simple. You or your attorney must make those choices. If you do not know what to select, consult an attorney or your court's self-help center before asking us to prepare a packet.

We can enter the facts and selections you supply, but cannot interpret a form's legal effect for you or advise how to answer it. Questions about what an answer means for rights, property, liability or requested orders belong with an attorney or an official self-help resource.

No. The LDA statute separately describes general published factual information written or approved by an attorney. Citing a court or statute does not establish that an attorney wrote or approved this FAQ, and no such review is claimed. These source references do not authorize personalized explanations, recommendations or advice from ClearPath.

No. Negotiating legal terms or recommending a settlement is not part of ClearPath's document-preparation service. We need the terms you or your attorney have already selected; we cannot settle disagreements or decide whose instructions should control.

No. ClearPath does not offer special access, influence, priority treatment or guaranteed results. California prohibits an LDA from claiming special influence with a court or government agency. Our no-outcome-guarantee policy is separate from the statute's rules about written promises with a reasonable factual basis.

Identify the service, the documents selected by you or your attorney, and the specific information and terms to enter. Existing papers and your selected attachments can help define the administrative work. Do not send unnecessary sensitive records with an initial inquiry; first ask how to provide the materials needed for the confirmed scope.

Start with an attorney or an official court self-help center. ClearPath cannot translate a goal into a recommended remedy, court, procedure or forms. A preparation quote should not be mistaken for a determination that a particular filing is appropriate.

Yes. ClearPath's role remains preparing the selected documents from your directions within the confirmed service scope. Your attorney supplies any legal analysis or chosen terms. Hiring ClearPath does not include that attorney's services or create an attorney-review promise.

Ask for the revised scope and any price change in writing before additional work. A different packet or new terms may be different work, not a factual correction. California's LDA contract requirements include the services to be performed and their costs; a website package description is not a replacement for that contract.

A review copy lets you compare names, dates, figures, selected terms and attachments against your instructions. It is not an opinion that the documents protect you, state a valid claim or achieve your goal. ClearPath cannot provide that legal evaluation.

Identify the document and field, explain the discrepancy, and provide the correct fact or instruction. Ask whether the correction is within your written scope. The name-change and small-claims offerings include one round of minor factual corrections within their original scope; do not assume every package has the same revision allowance.

You review the facts, selections and instructions before signing. ClearPath can prepare and organize the packet but cannot certify that your legal position is sound, decide what testimony to give or substitute its judgment for yours. Ask an attorney about legal consequences before signing if you are uncertain.

Send the clerk's written notice and your directions so the administrative work can be discussed. A typing discrepancy is different from choosing new relief, another form or a legal response to rejection. ClearPath cannot make those decisions or guarantee a resubmission will be accepted.

ClearPath's published prices cover the described preparation scope. Court and government charges, service of process, publication, recording, notary work and other third-party costs are separate unless expressly included. Ask for the written scope and itemized costs rather than assuming one package covers every later step.

They describe different work. Essential starts at $125 for qualifying single-form preparation; Court Packet starts at $495 for qualifying multi-form preparation. The separate $125 filing-service add-on requires scope confirmation and does not include court or third-party fees.

No. A court fee waiver concerns court fees under the court's rules; it is not a waiver of a private preparation fee. The court decides a fee-waiver request. ClearPath cannot determine your eligibility or promise approval; selected fee-waiver preparation is a separate listed service.

No. The published process-server coordination charge is $125–$175 + server fee. Filing coordination is also separate. Confirm the requested work and third-party costs in writing; payment does not establish that a service method is legally sufficient.

California requires a written contract before services. The LDA standard-contract regulation requires the prescribed form and fully executed copies for all client parties before service begins. The contract identifies the work and costs and includes statutory disclosures; an online FAQ or payment receipt does not replace it.

The contract must be in English and also in a language the client understands that was principally used in the oral sales presentation or negotiation. The LDA is responsible for that translation. The regulation requires copies of the fully executed English contract and applicable translation before services.

Yes. California specifies first-contact oral disclosures and a separate Notice to Consumer before contracting or accepting payment, with signature and copy requirements. It also specifies how the notice is provided when first contact is not in person. A disclosure somewhere on a website is not a substitute for these requirements.

In addition to other rescission rights, you may cancel within 24 hours after signing by giving any written statement that the contract is canceled. For notice mailed to the LDA with first-class postage prepaid, cancellation is effective on the postmark date. This is a 24-hour right, not a general three-business-day rule.

No. Section 6410(f) requires immediate return of paid fees upon voiding or rescission, except fees for services actually, necessarily and reasonably performed on your behalf with your knowing and express written consent. Merely starting work or delivering a packet does not by itself establish every element of that exception.

Failure to comply with Section 6410(a), (b), (c) or (d) makes the agreement voidable at the client's option. If the client voids it under that provision, the LDA must immediately return all fees paid. That is distinct from the limited performed-work exception in the 24-hour rescission provision.

No. California prohibits seeking or obtaining a waiver of Chapter 5.5 protections. ClearPath's refund and contract terms must be read subject to those rights; a general completed-work statement or payment-processing estimate does not override a statutory immediate-return requirement.

No. Section 6409 requires immediate return of originals whenever you request them, when the required contract is not executed or is rescinded, canceled or voided, and when the contracted services are completed. Originals are not leverage for collecting a disputed fee.

Section 6408 requires the registrant's name, business address, phone number, registration number and county in the covered materials. Websites, electronic materials and contracts also require the registration expiration date. Advertising has a separate nonattorney and specific-direction disclosure requirement. These are general requirements, not a certification that this business's disclosures satisfy every rule.

The statutory contract notice identifies local law enforcement, the district attorney and legal aid as possible contacts. The State Bar also accepts unauthorized-practice complaints about nonlawyers. Chapter 5.5 preserves civil remedies; a complaint alone does not guarantee compensation. Ask an independent attorney about remedies and any deadlines.

Section 6409.1 specifies the county of the client's primary residence as venue for an action arising from a dispute with an LDA. That rule is separate from choosing the court for the underlying legal matter. Ask an attorney about the appropriate forum and procedure for a particular claim.

Please start with a description of the administrative service you want and ask which materials are needed for the confirmed scope. Avoid sending unnecessary identification numbers or unrelated sensitive records. Review the privacy policy for stated data practices; this FAQ does not promise a secure client portal, a retention period or attorney-client confidentiality.

No. California Courts says court-based self-help programs are free, their staff are not your lawyer, communications are not confidential, and both sides may use the programs. The topics available vary by court. For confidential case-specific advice and representation, explore hiring a lawyer.

Use California Courts' Self-Help Center locator by city, county or ZIP code and check the center's current topic coverage and contact options. For attorney assistance, use the State Bar's certified referral-service directory or the court's legal-help resources. ClearPath's Bay Area service information is not a court directory or a recommendation of venue.

No. California Courts describes divorce, legal separation and annulment as different legal processes. ClearPath cannot tell you which route to pursue or whether you qualify. Obtain any needed advice first, then identify the documents and requested terms for preparation.

No. The court's guide describes financial disclosure as sharing financial information with the other spouse; opening a case is a different step. Do not assume preparing a petition completes every disclosure obligation. ClearPath can prepare selected documents within the written scope but cannot advise what you must disclose or whether you have satisfied the requirements.

No. Agreement does not turn document preparation into legal review. ClearPath can enter your selected terms, but cannot evaluate fairness, support, property rights or the effect of proposed orders. An independent family-law attorney can advise you about the agreement before you direct preparation.

Not automatically. ClearPath lists petition, response, default and judgment work separately, as well as a broader full uncontested package. The engagement—not the fact that all papers relate to one marriage—determines the included work. Court review and any eventual result remain outside the preparation service's control.

No. San Francisco Superior Court explains that trusts need to fit individual and family circumstances and recommends experienced estate-planning advice. ClearPath does not design an estate plan or determine which trust provisions you need; its offering is preparation from your selected terms.

The court's trust guide describes placing property into a living trust during the settlor's lifetime. Writing the trust and carrying out asset transfers are not interchangeable tasks. ClearPath does not choose a funding strategy or retitle accounts; a selected trust transfer deed is separately listed in the service information.

No such promise is made. San Francisco Superior Court explains that trust disputes, unclear language and concerns about a trustee can lead to court involvement. ClearPath cannot predict whether a trust will avoid a proceeding, and preparation is not a tax or estate-outcome opinion.

They are different advertised scopes. The will, power-of-attorney and health-directive package is not the living-trust package. Tell us which documents you or your attorney selected, and use the service page to compare the existing prices; ClearPath cannot recommend one estate-planning option over another.

No. California Courts explains that an estate may need probate even when there is a will; the property and circumstances matter. ClearPath cannot determine the transfer procedure or interpret the will. Ask an attorney or official probate resource before selecting the paperwork.

A transfer procedure depends on more than a label or a single number, including the type and amount of property. California Courts provides separate information about simpler procedures and formal probate. ClearPath does not value an estate or decide eligibility; use current official guidance or an attorney rather than treating a preparation package as an eligibility finding.

No. The court's formal-probate overview describes appointment of a personal representative responsible for the estate's probate administration. ClearPath's role is limited document preparation; it does not accept that appointment, represent the estate in court or advise on fiduciary duties.

ClearPath's initial petition package is an opening scope, not an automatic commitment to every later filing or expense. Publication, bond, referee, court, copy and service costs are separate. Ask which selected later documents are included in a broader engagement; legal decisions about administration remain outside the service.

ClearPath's deed service uses the legal description from your supplied source record along with your selected transfer instructions. Santa Clara County's recording guidance also identifies required document information, including applicable parcel and tax-statement details. ClearPath does not conduct a title search or determine what interest you own.

No legal or tax opinion is included in ClearPath's recording coordination. The recorder's published acceptance requirements concern recording; the assessor separately reviews ownership changes for property-tax purposes. Ask qualified advisers about title, transfer consequences and any claimed exclusion before directing preparation.

Yes. BOE explains that changes in ownership can include gifts, inheritances and other transfers without payment. Exclusions depend on the facts and applicable law. ClearPath cannot determine reassessment or select an exclusion; consult the county assessor and a qualified adviser for the proposed transfer.

No. BOE describes the PCOR as a property-transfer reporting form; it is distinct from the document conveying the selected interest. ClearPath lists deed preparation, PCOR preparation and a combined package. You or your adviser supply the transfer choices and reporting information; ClearPath does not choose tax treatment.

No. The Secretary of State treats choosing a business structure and tax matters as issues for appropriate professional advice. ClearPath prepares the entity documents and terms you select; it does not choose tax classification, ownership or management structure, or promise liability protection.

No. The Secretary of State handles entity formation filings, while county offices provide fictitious-business-name filing information. Alameda County's page directs businesses to the county of their principal place of business. ClearPath's DBA assistance and entity packages are separate scopes; it cannot decide which filings your business needs.

No. The Secretary of State's starting-business resource treats licenses, permits and tax matters separately from entity registration. ClearPath's formation packages do not include ongoing compliance monitoring or every government registration. Requirements depend on activity and location; obtain advice from the relevant agency or adviser.

No. ClearPath can prepare an included operating agreement from supplied ownership, voting, management and distribution terms, but cannot decide which owner is right or recommend compromise provisions. Resolve the legal choices with counsel before directing the document work.

Filing submits documents to the court; service gives required notice to other participants under the applicable rules. The court's service guide treats service as a distinct part of a case. ClearPath's filing coordination does not include process service, and ClearPath cannot determine the required method or timing for you.

Do not assume the same submission rules apply everywhere. Alameda Superior Court, for example, publishes division-specific e-filing information. Check the official court information for the court and case type you or your attorney selected. ClearPath coordinates submission only where available and after the administrative scope is confirmed.

Tell us about any date supplied by you, the court or your attorney when discussing availability, but do not rely on ClearPath to calculate the legal deadline or decide whether a filing is timely. Preparation, submission and court processing are separate, and no filing date or acceptance is guaranteed.

Not by itself. The court's guide describes proof of service as a separate record of service. Filing coordination is not a determination that notice was properly completed. Provide the service documents you or your attorney selected, and seek official guidance or legal advice if the method or proof is uncertain.

California Courts provides different information for adult, child and other name-change situations, including changes connected with gender or family-law events. ClearPath cannot decide the appropriate route. Bring the procedure and forms you or your attorney selected, rather than relying on a generic packet recommendation.

No. ClearPath cannot determine a notice requirement, exemption or strategy from your facts. The official name-change guide has separate routes and instructions; consult those resources or an attorney about your circumstances before directing preparation. Publication and service expenses are not included in the preparation charge.

ClearPath does not resolve the disagreement, advise on parental rights or decide how to proceed. The child name-change materials are distinct from a routine adult request. Obtain legal advice about the dispute; only specifically directed administrative preparation within a confirmed scope is offered.

No. The court's guide distinguishes obtaining a name change from changing identity documents afterward. ClearPath's advertised service is packet preparation, not automatic updates to government or financial records. Confirm any later agency requirements directly with that agency; certified-copy and other third-party costs are separate.

California Courts provides small-claims information and court-based small-claims help. Contact the appropriate court's advisor or an attorney for questions about whether, whom or where to sue. ClearPath cannot select a defendant, evaluate liability or decide the claim amount.

No. You supply the claim amount, your calculation and the attachments you want included. ClearPath cannot value damages, decide which losses are legally recoverable or predict a defense. Those are legal judgments, not clerical preparation.

No. The advertised small-claims preparation scope does not include hearing coaching, witnesses, evidence presentation or an appearance by ClearPath. Use the court's official hearing resources and obtain any needed legal help separately. A prepared packet is not a prediction that the claim will succeed.

Not necessarily. California Courts provides separate post-decision collection information, reflecting that a judgment and actual payment are different. ClearPath's claim-preparation package excludes collection, enforcement and appeals; it cannot select a collection remedy or guarantee recovery.

ClearPath's advertised eviction service does not include tenant answers, defenses or representation. Tenants can use California Courts' tenant eviction resources and the self-help locator, or contact an attorney or legal-aid provider. This service limitation is a business scope boundary, not a statement that tenants lack legal options.

California Courts warns that eviction issues can involve local rules as well as state law. ClearPath cannot determine rent-control coverage, just cause, exemptions or the proper notice from your rental facts. Have an attorney resolve those questions before selecting the notice and complaint documents.

No. The court's landlord guide distinguishes a request for default judgment from the court's decision and the later steps after a decision. ClearPath prepares selected paperwork; it does not decide whether default is available or promise a judgment, possession date or money recovery.

ClearPath's broader landlord package is limited to an uncontested matter proceeding through default; it does not automatically cover a disputed case. The court guide describes different next steps when a tenant responds. Ask an attorney about litigation and timing; any remaining administrative work must be separately confirmed.