Texas Paralegal Directory

Texas Paralegals, Legal Assistant

Texas Paralegal and Legal Document Assistants, known as LDA’s assist lawyers with legal services. Texas Paralegal and Texas Legal Document Assistants ( LDA ) can help with legal forms and document preparation regarding divorce, child support, custody modifications, small claims, right to lien, release of liens, simple wills, name change, quitclaim deeds and promissory notes.

In most judicial systems, a Texas Paralegal and Legal Document Assistants ( LDA ) can do any functions that most lawyers do except actual court litigation and giving legal advice. Legal advice may only be given by a qualified licensed lawyer.

Texas Paralegal and Texas Legal document assistants (LDA)may perform the following functions under the guidance of a lawyer:

Conduct legal research, including procedural, administrative, or case law.
Conduct investigations and record searches.
Locate and interview witnesses for dispositions.
Draft legal documents, correspondence and pleadings.
Document retrieval and filing in court.
Keep track of and report any pending legislation that may affect clients.
Prepare medical summaries and chronologies.
Attend executions of wills, real estate closings, depositions, court or administrative hearings and trials with the lawyer.
Interview client to gather facts and background information.
Assist in preparing witnesses for court hearings.
Service of subpoenas and summonses.
Bilingual legal translation services.

Five things a Texas Paralegal and Legal Document Assistant ( LDA ) cannot do are:
1) An Texas Paralegal cannot give legal advice.
2) An Texas Paralegal cannot develop the lawyer-client relationship.
3) The Texas Paralegal cannot sign papers on behalf of the client.
4) The Texas Paralegal cannot represent a client in court.
5) The Texas Paralegal cannot set and collect legal lawyer fees.

These functions are considered the practice of law. Different judicial systems have different requirements for Paralegal and Legal Document Assistants ( LDA ). Federal and State laws and judicial system policies are continually under review. When selecting a Texas Paralegal or legal document assistant (LDA) from the Texas Paralegal Directory always ask about the particular constraints in their practicing area. ADR means Alternative Dispute Resolution.

If legal action is necessary, before contacting a Texas Lawyer or Texas Paralegal, we suggest that you educate yourself on Texas law and the legal process by reading the books mentioned in our recommended reading section.