Finding a paralegal in Mesa often leads to confusion because of Arizona’s specific legal definitions. While a traditional paralegal must work under the supervision of an attorney, Arizona Supreme Court certified Legal Document Preparers (CLDPs) can provide similar document-related services directly to the public.
How Certified Legal Document Preparers Differ from Paralegals
In Arizona, the title you use depends on who you are working for:
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Paralegals: These professionals work directly for law offices or government agencies. They perform substantive legal work delegated by a lawyer who is ultimately responsible for the results.
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Legal Document Preparers: These individuals or businesses are certified by the Arizona Supreme Court to provide services to individuals not represented by an attorney. They can prepare, file, and serve documents for a flat fee, helping you avoid expensive hourly attorney rates.
Services Provided by AZ Statewide Paralegal
Located in Mesa, Phoenix, and Tucson, our team handles complete case management without requiring you to hire a lawyer. We can assist with:
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Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, and modifications.
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Estate Planning: Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and real estate deeds.
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Probate & Guardianship: Handling the paperwork for adult or minor guardianship.
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Business Filings: LLC and PLLC formation.
Benefits of Choosing a Certified Preparer
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Affordability: You pay for the documents and filing services rather than high attorney retainers.
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Efficiency: We track deadlines and procedural rules to ensure your case moves forward quickly.
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Professional Certification: All services are performed by AZCLDP certified professionals who meet state-mandated education and background check requirements.
Qualifications to Become a Certified Legal Document Preparer (CLDP)
Unlike a standard paralegal, an Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer must meet strict state mandates to provide services directly to the public. According to the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 7-208, an individual must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Education and Experience Pathways
Applicants must possess one of the following combinations of training and field experience:
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Option A: A High School diploma or GED plus at least two years of law-related experience under an attorney or as a court employee.
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Option B: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university plus at least one year of law-related experience.
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Option C: Graduation from an ABA-approved paralegal program or a specific Legal Paraprofessional (LP) educational track.
2. Mandatory Examination
Every candidate must sit for and pass a comprehensive knowledge examination administered by the Arizona Supreme Court. The exam covers:
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Legal terminology and document preparation.
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Data gathering and client communication.
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Ethical issues and professional responsibilities.
3. Background Check and Character
Integrity is paramount. All CLDP applicants must:
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Be at least 18 years of age and a legal resident of the U.S.
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Submit a full set of fingerprints for an FBI background check.
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Be found of “good moral character” by the Board of Nonlawyer Legal Service Providers.
4. Ongoing Continuing Education
To maintain their license, preparers must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education every two years, including specific hours dedicated to legal ethics.