Frequently Asked Questions
-
Why should I use an attorney's office to prepare legal forms?
What are unbundled legal services?
Is this website automated?
If you agree to do my documents, are you my attorney?
How do I request documents and pay for services?
Why do I have to pay in advance?
Can I cancel my Order?
How will I receive the documents?
Are the documents guaranteed?
How do you prepare my documents?
What if I need help in providing you with the requested information?
What do I do if I am asked by you to provide facts, narratives, or specific information and I am a poor writer?
Who files the documents, if necessary?
What if I need to modify the document after I review it?
How long will it take to get my documents?
Why should I use an attorney's office to prepare legal forms?
The Law Offices of Scott E. Marshall can assist consumers and self-representing litigants who cannot afford full representation or who do not wish to pay high attorney fees for legal document preparation.
Legal Document Assistants and paralegals are prohibited from practising law. That means they are not legally allowed to tell you what forms to use, interpret any legal form for you, or tell you how to fill out the form. The best they can do is give you a book or pamphlet prepared by an attorney, but that information is general and generic. They can only fill out forms in accordance with your specific instructions.
What are unbundled legal services?
When legal services are "unbundled" it's acceptable for an attorney to represent a client for one small part of their case, without violating ethical rules. An person does not have to choose between full representation by an expensive attorney or no representation at all. Essentially, the client can do what the client can do and hire an attorney to assist with those matters that the client needs help with. Whether it is preparing pleadings, such as complaints or motions, legal documents, or making a single appearance in court, an attorney can offer limited representation. The client is in charge of the depth and extent of the attorney's services. The State of California recognizes the need for, and supports the provision of, unbundled legal services.
Is this website automated?
No. We will communicate with you regarding every document order.
If you agree to do my documents, are you considered my attorney?
Yes, but the scope of our services and responsibility to you are limited. Legal services provided are unbundled, meaning you are not obtaining "full" case representation. We are only agreeing to assist you in the preparation of the documents you specifically request. We are not advising you as to the merits of your case or your overall chance of prevailing. We are not responsible for any other aspect of your case, either by your acts or your omissions to act. We are not guaranteeing any particular results in your case or from the use of documents we prepare. We are not agreeing to consult with you beyond the purpose of the document(s) and/or the information necessary to prepare the document(s) you order. Our relationship ends after final delivery of the documents to you. We are not responsible if you change your mind about using the documents.
How do I request documents and pay for services?
You will complete the online Order Form and submit it to The Law Offices of Scott E. Marshall. Prior to submission, you must review the Terms and Conditions, which contains the substance of our Attorney-Client Agreement. After we receive your request, we will contact you by phone, email, or fax. We may need to gather some preliminary information in order to do a check for potential conflicts or interest. After we agree, in writing, to assist you and inform you of the legal charge for each service, you will pay online through PayPal with a credit card, debit card, PayPal, or an e-check. You do not have to sign up with PayPal to make a payment. There is a link to PayPal on our website. After we will receive an email confirmation of your payment from PayPal, we will get to work on your project as soon as possible.
Why do I need to pay in advance?
We require that you pay in advance in order to complete the formation of our limited representation attorney-client relationship. We can spend a lot of time researching the law, gathering information, and preparing the document(s). You are requesting services, not products. The provision of unbundled services must be a win-win situation for both attorney and client to make provision of unbundled services a viable option. Paying for limited services in advance is an alternative to the large retainer agreements generally required by attorneys.
Can I cancel my Order?
Yes. However, you must cancel within 24 hours of submitting your payment (weekends and holidays excluded). We strive to begin working on your request quickly after receipt. There is a liquidated damage cancellation charge of $50.00 per document, or the document fee, whichever is less, for each document cancelled prior to delivery of the document to you, but after 24 hours of submitting your payment. Documents are deemed delivered upon emailing, faxing, or mailing. After delivery of a document, preliminary or final version, there are no refunds on that document. There are no refunds on paid consultations. Cancellation must be in writing, so email or fax your cancellation(s). Business formation packages or estate planning document orders cannot be cancelled after we have purchased services or products from third parties, unless we are successful in cancelling our order. You are responsible for any cancellation charges incurred by us.
How will I receive the documents?
By email or first class mail as you specify. Expedited mail delivery, upon your request, will cost extra.
Are the documents guaranteed?
Every effort will be made to prepare documents in accordance with your specific instructions and using the highest standard of care; however, attorneys cannot guarantee results. Every case is unique. In litigation, one side may prevail and the other side may not. If the court rejects a document prepared by us as a result of our mistake, we will re-do the document at no additional charge. Since our services to you in preparing documents are severely limited, we are not liable for any consequential or incidental damages or expenses resulting from the use of our documents, beyond re-doing the document. Please review the webpage disclaimer and the Request for Legal Services - Terms and Conditions before ordering.
How do you prepare my documents?
After our Attorney-Client agreement is established, we will request that you provide the specific information necessary to complete the document(s). Our request will be made by email, fax, or telephone. If the information you provide is inadequate, you will be asked to provide additional information.
What if I need help in providing you with the requested information?
We offer attorney phone consultations when paid for in advance. A consultation specific to the document(s) being prepared is available when paid for in 15 minutes increments, at $75.00 per increment. If the attorney needs to research your question(s), the call back is free. Without full attorney representation, memorialized with a written attorney-client agreement, we cannot offer you legal advice beyond information needed for the preparation of the specific document(s) requested.
What do I do if I am asked by you to provide facts, narratives, or specific information and I am a poor writer?
You must write out your statement to the best of your ability. We will do our best to interpret your writing, to correct spellings and grammatical problems, and provide coherent structure to your writing. Ultimately, it is up to you to review the document(s) we provide for factual accuracy and to bring any inaccuracy to our attention before you use the document.
Who files the documents, if necessary?
You do. After you sign the documents, you can file the document(s) yourself or you can utilize a statewide court filing service such as RAPID LEGAL http://www.rapidlegal.com/whatwedo/courtfiling.aspx) if you are in a hurry. They will file your documents for a reasonable flat fee of $49.95 (unlimited pages)(as of 08/20/12). Rapid Legal is not affiliated with the Law Offices of Scott E. Marshall and is cited only as an example of one filing service advertised on the internet. Many documents can be mailed to the court. Provide a self addressed stamped envelope for return of stamped copies. Of course, if you need assistance, we can provide it for a reasonable additional charge.
What if I need to modify the document after I review it?
Slight modifications are not unusual. There will be no additional charge for delivery of a first modified or corrected document, or for correction of our mistakes. Additional modifications will necessitate an small additional charge.
How long will it take to get my documents?
After you provide us with the requested information, you can expect the documents to be sent out (by email, etc.), within 1-5 business days, depending on the rush of business and the complexity and number of the document(s). We will endeavor to get the document(s) to you as soon as possible. Business formation services will take longer.
