Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Court Forms Plus Frequently Asked Questions page. Here you’ll find answers to common questions about our legal document preparation services, California Legal Document Assistants, and the types of documents we can help prepare.

Since 1990, Court Forms Plus has helped individuals navigate the legal document preparation process with professional, dependable service. Our goal is to help you understand our services, know what to expect, and determine whether we may be able to assist with your document preparation needs.

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact Court Forms Plus. We’re happy to explain our services and help you understand the next steps.

What is Court Forms Plus?

Court Forms Plus is a California Legal Document Assistant (LDA) business dedicated to helping individuals and families prepare important legal documents accurately and efficiently. Founded in 1990, Court Forms Plus has a long history of providing document preparation services to clients seeking a more convenient and affordable way to prepare their legal paperwork.

Our services include living trusts and estate planning documents, wills, powers of attorney, deed transfers, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO), divorce, evictions and Notary Public. We work with clients to prepare documents based on the information and instructions they provide, helping make the process more straightforward and less overwhelming.

Court Forms Plus is committed to providing professional, reliable, and personalized service while helping clients understand the document preparation process. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice or represent clients in court. Our role is to assist with legal document preparation so clients can make their own informed decisions.

What is a Legal Document Assistant (LDA)?

A Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is a professional registered in California who provides self-help legal document preparation services to individuals representing themselves in legal matters. A Legal Document Assistant can help prepare legal documents and complete forms based on information and instructions provided by the client.

At Court Forms Plus, we assist clients with preparing legal documents, including estate planning documents, living trusts, and other available document preparation services. Our goal is to make the document preparation process more convenient, understandable, and accessible.

Unlike an attorney, a Legal Document Assistant cannot provide legal advice, recommend which legal documents or legal options are best for your situation, or represent you in court. Clients are responsible for determining their legal needs and making their own legal decisions. If you need legal advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a licensed attorney.

How long has Court Forms Plus been in business?

Court Forms Plus has proudly served California since 1990, providing more than 35 years of experience in legal document preparation services. Originally founded as Paralegals Plus by Janet Greenhow, the business became Court Forms Plus in 2000 following changes in California law establishing the Legal Document Assistant profession. Today, Brian and Debbie Hollis continue Janet’s legacy of dedicated service, professionalism, and commitment to helping clients with their legal document preparation needs.

Court Forms Plus remains committed to providing reliable, professional service while helping clients prepare legal documents without providing legal advice.

What services does Court Forms Plus offer?

Court Forms Plus provides a variety of legal document preparation services to help individuals and families prepare important legal paperwork. Established in 1990, we have experience assisting clients with a range of document preparation needs throughout California.

Our services include living trusts and estate planning documents, wills, powers of attorney, deed transfers, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO), divorce, evictions and Notary Public. We help prepare documents using the information and instructions provided by our clients, making the process more convenient and straightforward.

Whether you need assistance preparing a living trust, completing court forms, or organizing other important legal paperwork, Court Forms Plus is committed to providing professional, dependable, and personalized service.

As a California Legal Document Assistant (LDA), Court Forms Plus provides document preparation services but does not offer legal advice, recommend legal options, or represent clients in court. If you need advice about your legal rights or which legal documents are appropriate for your circumstances, you should consult a licensed attorney.

Have questions about our services? Contact Court Forms Plus to learn more about the document preparation assistance we offer and how we may be able to help.

Who can use Court Forms Plus services?

Court Forms Plus assists individuals throughout California who need help preparing legal documents for their personal or family matters. Our services may be helpful for people handling matters such as divorce, child custody, name changes, living trusts, estate planning documents, and other legal document preparation needs.

Whether you are preparing documents for the first time or need assistance completing paperwork for an existing matter, Court Forms Plus can help prepare documents based on the information you provide.

As a California Legal Document Assistant, Court Forms Plus is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, represent clients in court, or determine which legal options are right for you. If you need legal advice about your rights or your specific situation, you should consult a licensed California attorney.

What is the difference between a Legal Document Assistant and an attorney?

A Legal Document Assistant (LDA) and an attorney serve different roles in the legal process.

A Legal Document Assistant is a professional registered and bonded as required by California law who provides self-help services to individuals representing themselves in legal matters. An LDA can prepare legal documents based on the information and instructions provided by the client but cannot provide legal advice, recommend legal strategies, or represent clients in court.

An attorney is a licensed legal professional who can provide legal advice, explain your rights and options, recommend legal strategies, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you in court.

At Court Forms Plus, we help clients prepare legal documents for a variety of personal and family matters while allowing them to remain in control of their own cases. We do not provide legal advice or attorney representation.

Not sure which service you need? If you know what documents you need and want assistance preparing them, Court Forms Plus may be able to help. If you need advice about your legal rights, options, or the best course of action for your situation, you should consult a licensed California attorney.

What is the difference between a living trust and a will?

A living trust and a will are both estate planning tools that can help you plan for the future and determine how your assets will be handled, but they serve different purposes.

A living trust is a legal arrangement that allows you to place assets into a trust during your lifetime and specify how those assets should be managed and distributed. A properly funded living trust can help your loved ones avoid probate for assets held in the trust, maintain privacy regarding the distribution of those assets, and provide for the management of trust assets if you become incapacitated.

A will is a legal document that states how you want your property distributed after your death. It can also name a guardian for minor children. However, assets distributed through a will generally must go through probate if probate is required. A will does not avoid probate simply because it has been properly prepared.

Which option is right for you?

The best choice depends on your assets, family circumstances, and estate planning goals. Some people use a living trust and a will together as part of a comprehensive estate plan. Not everyone needs a living trust, and individual circumstances should be considered when deciding which documents are appropriate.

At Court Forms Plus, we assist clients with living trust and other estate planning document preparation based on the information they provide. We do not provide legal advice or determine which estate planning option is best for your situation. If you need help evaluating your options, consult a licensed California attorney.