4 Important Questions to Ask Before Looking for Legal Document Preparation Services
Looking for a service that provides legal document preparation is a great way to stay in control of your legal matters, save on legal fees, and maintain confidence that your paperwork has been completed correctly. But before you hire anyone for this important service, be sure to ask them the following questions:
1. Is the Person Performing the Legal Document Preparation Certified?
According to the Arizona Codes of Judicial Administration, any business or individual that prepares legal documents without the supervision of an attorney who is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona must be certified to perform this important work. Certified legal document preparers in Arizona must pass an examination to prove their knowledge and competency before
being allowed to practice. Additionally, once they are certified, they are required to participate in several hours of continuing education each year. This is a great thing for you as a consumer because it means you’ll have confidence that they have the up-to-date knowledge required to do the job correctly.
Before hiring anyone to prepare, file, or arrange for service of your legal documents, make sure the individual doing the work has been properly certified.
2. Are They Experienced?
Aside from having the right certification, it’s important that the document preparer you hire has the experience to provide the best service possible. Sometimes there are nuances in document preparation that are more easily handled when the preparer has the right experience.
3. Do They Guarantee Their Work?
Ask your document preparation service if they guarantee their work, and if so, exactly what it includes. Guarantees can be a great way to put your mind at ease when hiring someone new since it’s a sign of the confidence they have in their work.
4. Can They Refer You to a Trustworthy Attorney if Needed?
While a common aim of hiring a certified legal document preparer is to save money on attorney fees, that doesn’t always mean you can avoid the use of a lawyer altogether. If your case is complicated, you may end up requiring legal representation. Additionally, you may find yourself in the position of wanting a bit of legal advice or court representation, which your document preparer is not allowed to provide. Because of this, it’s a good idea to look for a document preparation service that can refer you to a trustworthy lawyer if the need arises.
Legal Document Preparation Can Help
Whether you’re looking for a reputable document preparer because you can’t afford to hire an expensive lawyer or because your case is so simple that an attorney simply isn’t required, hiring someone who is certified to do legal document preparation is an extremely useful addition to your team. They can not only save you a lot of money compared to hiring a lawyer, but help to ensure the entire process of preparing your forms and documents goes as smoothly as possible.
