I’m Mary L. Shaffer, a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) and Notary Public based in Chico, California, proudly serving customers statewide with professional and affordable legal document preparation services since 2016.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Administration, along with a Paralegal Certificate earned during my undergraduate studies at California State University, Chico. After graduation, I worked with attorneys and gained experience assisting with legal document preparation in areas including estate planning, property transfers, and family law.
In 2016, I opened my own office with a mission: to provide high-quality legal document preparation services at a fraction of the cost of hiring an attorney. As a registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant in California (Butte County LDA #26) and a commissioned California Notary Public, I’ve assisted individuals and families throughout all 58 California counties with estate planning documents, uncontested divorce paperwork, real property documents, powers of attorney, adult adoptions, and more.
I’ve also been a proud member of the California Association of Legal Document Assistants (CALDA) since 2016, an organization dedicated to promoting high standards, ethics, and excellence in the legal document preparation profession.
A Note About Paralegal Services
Many people search for a paralegal when they need help preparing legal forms. In California, paralegals work under the direction and supervision of an attorney. Legal Document Assistants (LDAs), by contrast, provide self-help legal document preparation services directly to members of the public at their specific direction.
As a Legal Document Assistant, I prepare documents at your specific direction and provide self-help legal document preparation services. I cannot provide legal advice, represent you in court, or select legal forms for you.
It’s my goal to make legal paperwork clear, accessible, and affordable for everyday Californians.