Getting legal document help is an important first step if you want to represent yourself in a legal matter. Here are the steps you need to take in order to make sure everything goes smoothly:
Learn the legal terms that apply to your situation
In many cases, the words you use to describe a legal matter in casual conversation are different than the ones used by the courts. If you’re unsure about what terminology to use, we can help you sort it out.
For example, “child custody” is a term that many people use to refer to the issue of which parent gets physical custody of the child. However, in the Arizona court system, the terms used to describe this are “legal decision-making” and “parenting time”.
Another example pertains to divorce, for which the legal term is actually “Dissolution of Marriage”.
Once you know the correct legal terms for the matter you’re dealing with, it’ll be much easier to find the forms you need.
Ensure you’re using the right documents
Which ones you’ll require will vary depending on what part of the country you’re in – so don’t make the mistake of doing a quick Google search and using a form from the wrong state. The Arizona Judicial Branch website has all the forms you need. While some legal matters are relatively straightforward, others are more complex and require more than one form to be filled out by the right person, at the right time.
The role of legal document help
While it’s certainly possible to do everything yourself, many people find it a lot easier to have a legal document preparer on their team who can not only provide advice on which forms are needed, but prepare them, too. The terms used on these documents can be confusing if you’ve never seen them before, and it’s easy to do something wrong when filling them out, which can lead to delays.
Choose a legal document prep service that has experience in your type of case. Keep in mind that they cannot give you legal advice. However, they can act as a safeguard since if your case turns out to be too complex to handle on your own, they can refer you to a capable attorney.
Legal document help is an important part of successful self-representation
If you want to represent yourself in your next legal matter, it pays to be informed. Learn the legal lingo, get the right paperwork (and fill it out right), plus, don’t forget to get help when you need it. We can save you a lot of time and help ensure everything goes smoothly without the stress that comes from trying to do everything on your own.
