CALDA step by Step business plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Compliance Foundation

2

A Clear Business Niche

3

Professional Client Systems

4

A Simple Brand Message

5

Online Presence

6

Professional Assoiciations

7

Business Networking Groups

8

Relationships With Attorneys

9

Be a Part of the Community

10

Service Packages

11

90 Day Marketing Plan

12

Tracking Your Progress

13

Your Reputaion

14

Keep Learning

15

Credibility and Mindset

16

Confirm Your Compliance Foundation Before marketing services, make sure your registration, bond, business structure, contracts, disclosures, and service procedures are in order.

Complete or confirm the following: County LDA registration is active.

Bond is filed and current.

Business name is properly registered. City Business permits Written client contract is ready. DCA contract from CALDA Fee schedule is clear and posted where appropriate.

You understand that an LDA may prepare legal documents at the client’s direction but may not give legal advice. CA BPC 6400 requirements.

You have a system to track renewal deadlines and continuing education requirements.

Create a simple compliance binder or digital folder with your registration, bond, sample contracts, intake forms, proof of education, renewal calendar, and county filing information.

Complete the Proffessional Standards for LDAa Pro Tip: As a registered LDA you may not run your business as anLLC. Sole proprietorships or Cortporations are accepteable.

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Choose a Clear Business Niche A new LDA should not try to be everything to everyone at once. Start with a few high-demand areas and build confidence.

Common service areas include: Divorce and family law forms Deeds and property transfers Probate support documents Small claims Guardianships Name change Estate planning document preparation Unlawful detainer support, if properly registered and qualified Business Entity formation documents Choose 2 or 3 core services at first. Build checklists, workflows, pricing, and sample timelines for each.

Pro Tip : As you grow as a professional and become more confident, you will expand. Growth comes with networking with like minded professionals.

Networking opportunities present themselves at CALDAs uducation events.

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Create Professional Client Systems Set up repeatable systems before taking on too many clients.

Prepare: Client intake questionnaire (a CALDA resource) Conflict and scope screening form Written service agreement (Contract from CALDA as required by the DCA) Fee schedule Document checklist Payment process Client communication policy Refund and cancellation policy File closing letter Referral list for attorneys when legal advice is needed Your goal is to make clients feel guided, organized, and safe while staying within the legal limits of LDA services.

Common systems resources: Quickbooks a CRM ie GoHighLevel Verifyl for e signatures and secure file transfer Simplifile for e-recording deeds Data Tree for deed retrieval * ChatGPT Canva Essential Forms Pro Tip : * Develope a relationship with a title company and they can provide you with access to their data retrieval portal for deeds.

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Build a Simple Brand Message Create a clear explanation of what you do.

Example: “I help self-represented Californians prepare legal documents accurately and affordably, based on the information they provide. I do not give legal advice, but I help clients navigate the paperwork process with professionalism and care.”

Your message should emphasize: Affordability Accuracy Organization Compassion Confidentiality Procedural support Clear boundaries: “We are not attorneys, we cannot advise, we can only provide self help services at your direction and Teuninck & DeBishoppe is not a law firm.”

Language required under Cal BPC §6400

Avoid language that sounds like legal advice or attorney representation.

Pro Tip : Create a professional email signature block (with your phone number so people can call you!) and document stamp. Include the language requred by §6400.

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Set Up Your Online Presence (pay someone if you can or eventually do so, it is worth it) Create basic but professional visibility.

Minimum setup: Google Business Profile Simple website Professional email address Business phone number Online appointment scheduler Client review request process LinkedIn profile Yelp or similar listing, if appropriate CALDA directory profile, if eligible Local chamber directory listing Website pages to include: Home About Services Fees or starting prices How the process works LDA disclosure / not an attorney statement Contact page FAQs Blogs

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Join Professional Associations Professional associations help with education, credibility, referrals, and peer support.

Recommended: California Association of Legal Document Assistants, CALDA Local county bar association affiliate events, where appropriate Local paralegal or legal support professional groups Estate planning councils, if your services relate to deeds or estate documents California Escrow Association, CEA, if you provide deed preparation Local real estate professional associations, if your services relate to deeds, transfers, or trust funding documents Local Chamber of Commerce Business Referal groups Use these groups to learn, not just to sell. Attend regularly, ask questions, and build referral relationships.

Pro Tip: Limit involvement to 3 associations, get involved, do the work. Your contribition will be recognized, but you need to run your own busness first.

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Join Local Business Networking Groups A new LDA business grows through trust. Networking should be part of the weekly schedule.

Recommended groups: BNI groups Local Chamber of Commerce Rotary Club Kiwanis Women’s business groups Small business meetups Senior service provider networks Real estate networking groups Divorce professional groups Caregiver and elder care resource groups Ideal referral partners include: Family law attorneys, Mediators, Therapists and divorce coaches Estate planning attorneys / Fiduciaries Realtors Escrow officers Mobile notaries Process servers Tax preparers Financial planners Care managers, Senior placement advisors Funeral homes Facebook and other social media groups When networking, do not lead with “send me clients.” Lead with education.

Pro Tip; develop a 30 second elevator speech “I’m a registered California Legal Document Assistant. I help self-represented individuals prepare legal documents at their direction. I do not give legal advice, but I provide affordable procedural document preparation support for people who need help getting their paperwork completed correctly.”

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Build Referral Relationships with Attorneys Attorneys can become excellent referral sources when they understand your boundaries.

Contact attorneys who may receive calls from people who cannot afford full representation. Let them know you can assist with document preparation only and will refer clients back to attorneys when legal advice is needed.

Best attorney referral categories: Family law Estate planning Probate Landlord-tenant Small business Real estate Civil litigation Bankruptcy Offer to be a resource for clients who need procedural document preparation after receiving legal advice.

Approach the attorneys with an offer to refer clients you feel need more expewrtise that you as an LDA can offer.

Page 9

Become involved with and Educate the Community Educational outreach builds trust quickly.

Ideas: “Understanding Court Forms for Self-Represented Litigants” “What a Legal Document Assistant Can and Cannot Do” “How to Prepare for a Divorce Paperwork Appointment” “Common Mistakes in Deed Preparation” “Estate Planning Paperwork: When You Need an Attorney and When Document Assistance May Help” “Small Claims Paperwork Basics” Places to offer presentations: Chambers of Commerce Libraries Senior centers Community centers Real estate offices Divorce support groups Adult education programs Small business groups Always include a clear disclaimer : “We are not attorneys, we cannot advise, we can only provide self help services at your direction and Teuninck & DeBishoppe is not a law firm.”

Prto Tip: The more involved you are with the associations, the more opportunities will be presented.

Page 10

Create Service Packages Packages make pricing easier and reduce confusion.

Example packages: Divorce Document Preparation Package Includes intake, preparation of selected forms, filing instructions, and document review for completeness.

Deed Preparation Package Includes client intake, document preparation based on client-provided information, notary coordination guidance, and recording instructions.

Small Claims Package Includes claim form preparation, filing instructions, service checklist, and hearing preparation document checklist.

Probate Support Package Includes preparation of selected Judicial Council forms based on clientprovided information.

Keep package descriptions clear. Do not promise outcomes.

Pro Tip: Use CALDAs Brochures and Questionnairs and other resources.

Page 11

Develop a 90-Day Marketing Plan First 30 Days Finalize compliance documents.

Build website and Google Business Profile.

Join CALDA. Join one local chamber.

Visit two BNI groups.

Create LinkedIn profile.

Identify 25 referral partners.

Create a one-page service sheet.

Days 31–60 Schedule coffee meetings with referral partners.

Attend at least four networking events.

Ask for directory listings.

Post weekly educational content.

Offer one free community presentation.

Build email follow-up templates.

Request testimonials from satisfied clients.

Days 61–90 Review which services are getting inquiries.

Improve website service pages.

Build referral tracking spreadsheet.

Join one additional professional group.

Launch a monthly email newsletter.

Create a client review system.

Evaluate pricing and workflow efficiency.

Pro Tip : Calendar this and stick to it.

Page 12

Track the Right Numbers, use a good CRM Every month, track: Number of inquiries Source of each inquiry Consultations booked Clients retained Average fee per matter Most requested services Referral sources Website visits Google reviews Networking events attended Follow-up meetings completed Financial tracking Cash Flow Income Expenses Profit and Loss

This helps you stop guessing and start building intentionally.

Pro Tip : Remember to pay yourself. You are the most valuable part of your business.

Page 13

Protect Your Reputation The fastest way to grow is to be known as careful, ethical, responsive, and reliable.

Best practices: Return calls promptly.

Confirm instructions in writing.

Do not give legal advice.

Refer out when the client needs an attorney.

Use checklists.

Keep client files organized.

Meet deadlines.

Be transparent about fees.

Avoid overpromising.

Set the expectations.

Ask satisfied clients for reviews.

Pro Tip : These days, Google and Yelp reviews are a big deal. Just ask your custoemrs to give you a review and make it easy for them with links and QR codes.

Page 14

Keep Learning Continue education in your main service areas. Attend CALDA programs, legal procedure trainings, court self-help workshops, and professional development events.

Suggested learning topics: Family law forms Probate procedure Deed preparation Court filing rules E-filing Ethics and unauthorized practice of law Client communication Business development Bookkeeping Cybersecurity and client confidentiality

Page 15

Build Long-Term Credibility Consider your Mindset After the first year, consider: Speaking at community events Hosting monthly workshops Building referral partnerships with attorneys Creating downloadable checklists Publishing educational articles Sponsoring local chamber events Becoming active in CALDA leadership or committees Building a specialty reputation in one or two profitable areas A successful LDA business is built on trust, clarity, compliance, and relationships. The goal is not just to prepare documents. The goal is to become a reliable resource for self-represented Californians and the professionals who serve them.

The three rules of customer service: 1. The customer is always right 2. If the customer is wrong, refer to rule number 1.

3. Let them be wrong with dignity.

Most of us will have three customers: 1. The client at your desk for whom you prepare documents.

2. That individual that referred the client to you. And 3. The government agency you will submit documents to on behalf of your client. (court clerk, clerk recorder, attorney, etc.)

Make your documents pretty.

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