Paralegal vs. Legal Document Preparer

A paralegal is defined as a person, qualified by education, training, and/or work experience who is employed by an attorney or a law firm and performs legal work with the supervision of an attorney.  A paralegal cannot provide legal advice or opinions.  

An Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer is licensed by the Arizona Supreme Court to prepare or provide legal documents, without the supervision of an attorney, for someone who is representing themselves in a legal matter.  An AZCLDP cannot provide any legal advice or opinions.    

A Certified Paralegal (CP) is an individual who, at a minimum, possesses an associate degree in paralegal studies and successfully passes a knowledge and skills-based exam.  In order to maintain this certification, a CP must complete at total of fifty (50) hours of continued legal education over the course of five (5) years.   

An Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) is a paralegal who is a Certified Paralegal (CP) that has spent several years working as a paralegal and completed additional coursework before earning the title of Advanced Certified Paralegal.   

Without the AZCLDP license, a paralegal who prepares documents (without the supervision of an attorney), is engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.  The AZCLDP licensing process was enacted to protect the public. Additionally, all AZCLDP are required to complete a total of ten (10) continued legal education courses over the course of one (1) year. 

Chelsea C.E. Woodworth is an Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) & an Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer. Chelsea possesses the education, experience, and licensing to allow her to prepare legal documents without the supervisor of an attorney.  In order to receive an AZCLDP license, the Arizona Supreme Court only requires a minimum of a high school diploma (or a GED) and two (2) years of law-related experience. Chelsea has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, a Paralegal Certificate, the distinction of Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP), plus over ten (10) years of experience in the legal field.