Arizona is one of the few states that licenses non‑attorney legal document preparers. They are certified under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 31 and the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration §§ 7‑208 & 7‑201.
They can:
- Prepare legal documents for people who are not represented by an attorney
- Provide general legal information
- Operate independently (no attorney supervision required)
They cannot give legal advice or represent you in court.
Key Differences Between CLDP in Arizona and Online Legal Documents Templates
Regulation & Certification
Arizona is unique: it licenses non‑attorney document preparers.
CLDPs must:
- Pass a background check
- Pass an exam
- Maintain continuing education
- Follow strict Arizona Supreme Court rules
- Online services have no Arizona licensing requirement, meaning they are not held to state‑specific standards.
CLDPs prepare documents based on your specific facts, within the limits of providing general legal information.
Online services typically:
- Ask multiple‑choice questions
- Auto‑populate a template
- Do not customize beyond the software’s logic
This can be risky for nuanced situations.
Which Option Is Better for You?
Choose a CLDP if you want:
- Arizona‑specific accuracy
- Human guidance
- Help with deeds, probate, divorce, LLCs, or estate planning
- Someone accountable to Arizona courts
Choose an online service if you want:
- The lowest possible cost
- A simple, generic document
- No human interaction
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