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Ashlar LDA, Inc. | Serving Clients Throughout California

Terms of Service

The terms and conditions governing the use of Ashlar LDA, Inc. services and the helpwithlegaldocs.com website.

Last updated: [March 31st, 2026]

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Client," "you," or "your") and Ashlar LDA, Inc. ("Ashlar LDA," "we," "us," or "our"), a California corporation operating as a registered Legal Document Assistant. By accessing or using our website at helpwithlegaldocs.com, engaging our document preparation services, or submitting any intake form or payment, you agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use our website or services. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes become effective when posted to this page with an updated revision date. Your continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Description of Services

Ashlar LDA, Inc. is a registered Legal Document Assistant (LDA) operating pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Sections 6400 through 6415. We provide legal document preparation services at the specific direction of self-represented individuals.

Our services include, but are not limited to, the preparation of documents related to bankruptcy, divorce, family law, evictions, probate, living trusts, business entity formation, judgment enforcement, and foreclosure. All documents are prepared based solely on the information and instructions provided by the Client.

3. We Are Not Attorneys - Scope of Services

Ashlar LDA, Inc. is not a law firm. Guillermo Serafin is not an attorney.

We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, legal opinions, or legal strategy of any kind. We cannot:

  1. Advise you on which documents to file or what legal course of action to pursue
  2. Tell you what your legal rights or obligations are
  3. Predict or express opinions about the likely outcome of your legal matter
  4. Represent you in court or before any governmental agency
  5. Select legal forms or documents on your behalf
  6. Negotiate with opposing parties on your behalf

If you require legal advice or representation, we strongly recommend that you consult with a licensed California attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may contact your local Legal Aid office or the California State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (866) 442-2529.

All decisions regarding which documents to prepare, the information contained in those documents, and whether and when to file those documents are made exclusively by you. We prepare documents based solely on the information and instructions you provide.

4. Client Responsibilities

By engaging our services, you acknowledge and agree to the following responsibilities:

  1. Accuracy of information. You are solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of all information you provide to us. We rely entirely on the information you supply and do not independently verify it.
  2. Review before filing. You are responsible for carefully reviewing all documents we prepare before filing them with any court, government agency, or third party. Once documents leave our possession, we are not responsible for errors or omissions that were not identified during review.
  3. Timely communication. You agree to respond to our requests for information in a timely manner. Delays in providing requested information may result in delays to your document preparation timeline.
  4. Filing responsibility. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, you are responsible for filing completed documents with the appropriate court or agency. We provide filing instructions but do not guarantee acceptance by any court or agency.
  5. Legal compliance. You agree that you will use our services only for lawful purposes and that the information you provide to us is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.

5. Fee Agreement and Payment Terms

All fees for document preparation services are disclosed in a written fee agreement before any work begins. By signing the fee agreement and submitting payment, you authorize us to begin work on your case.

5.1 Flat-Fee Pricing

Ashlar LDA, Inc. charges flat fees for document preparation services. Fees vary based on the type and complexity of the service. The specific fee for your matter will be stated in your written fee agreement.

5.2 Government and Third-Party Fees

Our fees cover document preparation only. Court filing fees, recording fees, service of process fees, and any other government or third-party charges are separate and are your sole responsibility. We will inform you of anticipated government fees, but the actual amounts are determined by the relevant court or agency.

5.3 Payment

Payment is due as specified in your fee agreement. We accept the payment methods listed on our website or as communicated to you directly. Work will not commence until payment is received in accordance with the fee agreement.

5.4 Refund Policy

If you cancel your case before any work has begun, you are entitled to a full refund of fees paid. If work has already commenced, refunds will be prorated based on the amount of work completed at the time of cancellation. Refund amounts will be calculated in accordance with the terms of your written fee agreement. Government fees already paid to courts or agencies on your behalf are not refundable by us.

6. Document Preparation Process

Our standard document preparation process is as follows:

  1. You select the service you need and complete our intake form with the required information.
  2. We review your submission, and if additional information is needed, we contact you.
  3. We prepare your documents based on the information and instructions you have provided.
  4. We deliver the prepared documents to you for review.
  5. You review the documents, request any corrections, and file them with the appropriate court or agency.

Standard turnaround time is 5 to 10 business days from the date we receive all required information. Rush processing is available for an additional fee. Turnaround times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Complex matters may require additional time.

7. Corrections and Revisions

If you identify an error in a document we prepared that is attributable to our work (such as a typographical error or formatting issue), we will correct it at no additional charge. If you need revisions because the information you originally provided has changed or was incorrect, additional fees may apply as outlined in your fee agreement.

8. Confidentiality

We treat all information you provide to us as confidential. We will not disclose your personal information or case details to any third party except as required by law, as necessary to provide our services (for example, to process payments), or with your express written consent. Our full data handling practices are described in our Privacy Policy.

Please note that communications between you and a Legal Document Assistant are not protected by attorney-client privilege. If confidentiality of your communications is a concern, we recommend consulting with a licensed attorney.

9. Bankruptcy Petition Preparer Disclosure

When preparing bankruptcy documents, Ashlar LDA, Inc. operates as a Bankruptcy Petition Preparer under 11 U.S.C. Section 110. As a Bankruptcy Petition Preparer, we are subject to specific federal rules, including limitations on the fees we may charge. We are required to provide our name, address, and Social Security number or taxpayer identification number on documents filed with the bankruptcy court.

We do not provide legal advice regarding bankruptcy and cannot advise you on whether to file for bankruptcy, which chapter to file under, or how to complete bankruptcy forms. All information entered on bankruptcy forms is provided by you.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Ashlar LDA, Inc., its owner, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising out of or related to the use of our services, including but not limited to damages for lost profits, lost data, or loss of opportunity, regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable.

Our total liability to you for any and all claims arising out of or related to our services shall not exceed the total fees you paid to us for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

We are not liable for any adverse outcome in your legal matter, including but not limited to court decisions, denials, dismissals, or rejections. We do not guarantee that any court or agency will accept, approve, or grant the relief sought in the documents we prepare.

We are not liable for errors, omissions, or consequences arising from inaccurate, incomplete, or false information provided by you.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Ashlar LDA, Inc., its owner, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your breach of these Terms; (b) your use of our services; (c) information you provided to us; or (d) your filing of any documents prepared by us.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Good Faith Negotiation

In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or our services, you and Ashlar LDA, Inc. agree to first attempt to resolve the dispute through good faith negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party provides written notice of the dispute to the other.

12.2 Mediation

If the dispute is not resolved through negotiation, either party may initiate mediation through a mutually agreed-upon mediator in the State of California. The costs of mediation shall be shared equally between the parties.

12.3 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the State of California, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

13. Website Terms of Use

13.1 Intellectual Property

All content on the helpwithlegaldocs.com website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of Ashlar LDA, Inc. or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content on this website without our prior written consent.

13.2 Permitted Use

You may access and use the website for its intended purpose of learning about our services, accessing educational resources, and engaging our document preparation services. You agree not to use the website for any unlawful purpose, to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the website, or to interfere with the proper operation of the website.

13.3 Educational Content Disclaimer

Any articles, guides, blog posts, or educational materials on our website are provided for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney. Legal information may change frequently, and the information on our website may not reflect the most current legal developments.

13.4 Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or resources. These links are provided for convenience only. We do not endorse and are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of any third-party websites. Accessing third-party websites is at your own risk.

14. Electronic Communications

By using our services or submitting information through our website, you consent to receiving electronic communications from us, including emails, text messages (if you provide a mobile number), and notices posted on our website. You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

You acknowledge that electronic communications, including email, are not inherently secure and may be intercepted by third parties. If the security of your communications is a concern, please contact us to discuss alternative communication methods.

15. Termination

Either party may terminate the service relationship at any time by providing written notice to the other party. Upon termination:

  1. You will be responsible for payment of all fees for work completed up to the date of termination.
  2. We will return to you any original documents you provided to us.
  3. We will provide you with copies of any documents we prepared on your behalf up to the date of termination.
  4. Any unused portion of prepaid fees will be refunded in accordance with Section 5.4 of these Terms.

We reserve the right to decline or discontinue service if we determine that: (a) continuing the engagement would require us to provide legal advice; (b) you have provided false or misleading information; (c) you have engaged in threatening, abusive, or harassing behavior toward our staff; or (d) the engagement would otherwise violate applicable law or professional regulations.

16. Force Majeure

Ashlar LDA, Inc. shall not be liable for any delay or failure in performance resulting from causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, government actions, power failures, internet outages, or other events that are unforeseeable and beyond our control.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the original intent of the parties.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the written fee agreement provided to you for your specific service and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Ashlar LDA, Inc. regarding the subject matter hereof. These Terms supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, proposals, and understandings, whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter of these Terms.

In the event of a conflict between these Terms and your individual written fee agreement, the terms of the written fee agreement shall control with respect to the specific services covered by that agreement.

19. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Ashlar LDA, Inc.
Phone: (310) 872-7960
Email: [email protected]
Website: helpwithlegaldocs.com

Ready to Get Started?

Start your case today or schedule a consultation with Ashlar LDA, Inc.

(310) 872-7960
[email protected]