Legal Document Preparers

People who want to handle their own family court case, but need the paperwork done correctly, are the clients of this Sacramento firm, which trades as Prepared Legal. Based in North Natomas, it describes itself as a full-service legal document preparation boutique offering unbundled legal services.

Who prepares the papers

Preparation is handled by a legal document assistant: a registered, bonded professional who is not a lawyer. Because of that status, the service is designed for people representing themselves, who know what they want and need only the filings prepared. The firm focuses on divorces, custody and other family law matters, including child support modifications, requests for orders and responses to a divorce petition.

Services around the case

Its offerings include document preparation, court filing and retrieval, process serving, notary services, translations and immigration services. Court runs cover transporting documents to and from courthouses and state and county agencies. Process serving includes personal service on registered agents and service by mail where permitted, with proof of service included. Notary work covers signed documents that need notarizing, sworn oaths and the certifying of powers of attorney. The firm also helps eligible clients with court fee waivers.

What a full-service case includes

A flat fee case, as the site describes it, begins with an intake meeting and then covers drafting, copying, assembling the filings, serving the other side by mail and filing with the court. Clients receive regular email updates on progress. Extra one-on-one help is available, and the firm can work alongside mediators and divorce coaches in more complex cases.

Unbundled help

Unbundled services mean hiring specialists for particular tasks rather than paying for full representation. The firm positions this as a way to reduce costs. Assistance is given in person or virtually, in English and Spanish, and payment in instalments is available.

Legal Document Preparers, trading on its site as Prepared Legal, is a legal document preparation boutique. It is run by a legal document assistant, a bonded and registered non-attorney. It prepares paperwork for people who represent themselves in court.

Products and services

• Document preparation: divorce, custody, child support changes and other family law papers.
• Court filing and retrieval: carrying documents to and from courthouses and agencies.
• Process serving: personal service and service by mail where allowed, with proof of service.
• Notary services: notarised documents, oaths and certification of powers of attorney.
• Translations and immigration services: listed among its offerings.
• Help with court fee waivers: for those who qualify.

Customers and markets

Individuals who know what they want and need paperwork prepared. Service is in person or virtual, and in English and Spanish.

Key facts

• Based in: North Natomas, Sacramento, California
• Languages: English and Spanish