Virginia Paralegal Directory
Virginia Paralegals, Legal Assistant
Virginia Paralegal and Legal Document Assistants, known as LDA’s assist lawyers with legal services. Virginia Paralegal and Virginia 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 Virginia 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.
Virginia Paralegal and Virginia 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 Virginia Paralegal and Legal Document Assistant
( LDA
)
cannot do are:
1) An Virginia Paralegal cannot give legal advice.
2) An Virginia
Paralegal cannot develop the lawyer-client relationship.
3) The Virginia
Paralegal cannot sign papers on behalf of the client.
4) The Virginia
Paralegal cannot represent a client in court.
5) The Virginia 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 Virginia Paralegal or legal document assistant (LDA) from the Virginia 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 Virginia Lawyer or Virginia Paralegal, we suggest that you educate yourself on Virginia law and the legal process by reading the books mentioned in our recommended reading section.