Non-Attorney Legal Document Preparation Based on Your Instructions
You choose the service. You supply the facts. A person — not a template engine — prepares, checks, and returns your documents for your review, signature, and filing.
What legal document preparation is
Legal document preparation is a non-attorney service. You decide what you want prepared, you provide the facts and the instructions, and we prepare the documents accordingly. Nothing about the service involves choosing your legal position for you.
People use document preparation when they already know what they want to do — an uncontested divorce, a guardianship petition package, an estate filing, a power of attorney — and need the paperwork built correctly, consistently, and in a format the clerk will accept. It is not a substitute for legal advice, and it is not a good fit for a contested or high-risk matter.
What PF can do
- Prepare the documents for the service you select
- Type and format your information into the correct format for the documents you have chosen
- Review your intake for internal inconsistencies and missing supporting documents
- Build a document checklist so you know what to gather
- Organize exhibits and attachments in a logical order
- Prepare a filing and service checklist for you to follow
- Return revision rounds when information changes
- Coordinate notarization, witnesses, and process serving as separately priced services
What PF cannot do
- We cannot give legal advice or legal opinions.
- We cannot tell you which form, remedy, claim, or defense to use.
- We cannot interpret how the law applies to your facts.
- We cannot develop legal strategy or predict how a judge will rule.
- We cannot represent you in court, at a hearing, or in a mediation.
- We cannot guarantee that a court will accept a document or that you will obtain any particular outcome.
- We cannot create an attorney-client relationship, because we are not a law firm.
These are not fine-print limitations — they define the service. If a question requires an answer we cannot legally give, we will tell you plainly and recommend you speak with a licensed attorney in your state.
Client-selected services, client-provided facts, client review
You select the service
You tell us which document package you want prepared. We do not decide which form, petition, or remedy fits your situation, and we will not choose one for you.
You provide the facts
Names, dates, addresses, property, income, parties, and history come from you. Accuracy of the underlying facts is your responsibility.
You review before signing
Every draft comes back to you for review. Read every page. Corrections at the draft stage are routine; corrections after filing are expensive.
You sign, file, and serve
You sign your own documents, file them with the correct court or agency, arrange service where required, and pay all official fees unless a permitted service is expressly stated in writing.
Human-managed preparation, not an automated form generator
Automated form tools output whatever was typed into them. Our preparation includes a human review pass: we check that names are consistent across every document, that dates line up, that referenced attachments actually exist, that required signature and notary blocks are present, and that the package is complete before you take it to a clerk. We do not evaluate whether your legal position is correct — that is a judgment only an attorney can make.
How the process works
- Intake. You submit the service you want and the details of your situation.
- Scope and quote. We confirm what is included, the PF fee, the turnaround, and what official fees you should expect to pay separately.
- Document checklist. We send a written list of what to gather — identification, prior orders, deeds, statements, certificates.
- Drafting. Your documents are prepared from your instructions and the facts you supplied.
- Review. Drafts come to you with a review guide pointing out what to verify most carefully.
- Revisions. In-scope corrections are returned within 24 to 72 hours.
- Signing. You sign, with notarization or witnesses arranged separately if the document requires it.
- Filing and service. You file and serve, following your checklist, and pay official fees directly to the court, clerk, or vendor.
Services we prepare
Uncontested divorce document preparation
Petition packages, financial affidavits, and supporting documents for parties who have already agreed on terms.
Guardianship document preparation
Child and adult guardianship petition packages, supporting affidavits, and required notices, prepared from your instructions.
Probate and estate document preparation
Estate administration packages, inventories, notices, and supporting documents.
Powers of attorney
Financial and healthcare powers of attorney prepared to the choices you specify.
Affidavits and declarations
Sworn statements prepared from your own account of the facts.
Business documents
Formation and internal business documents prepared from the terms you supply.
Court-form typing
Accurate typing and formatting of the forms you have selected.
Exhibit organization
Attachments and exhibits organized, labeled, and indexed for filing.
Filing and service checklists
A written sequence of what to file, where, in what order, and what to serve on whom.
Administrative document preparation
Non-court agency paperwork prepared from your instructions.
Appellate formatting support
Formatting support for appellate documents you are filing yourself.
Contract preparation from your terms
Agreements prepared from terms you supply — we do not negotiate or advise on the terms.
Bankruptcy document preparation is offered only where permitted, and only with the applicable federal disclosures. Availability of any service depends on your state.
Turnaround, fees, and third-party costs
Most standard packages are completed within 5–7 business days of a complete intake and payment. In-scope revisions are returned within 24 to 72 hours. Estate, guardianship, and multi-party packages are scheduled after a scope review.
| Service | PF Consulting Firm fee |
|---|---|
| Legal research or document support | $330+ |
| Standard uncontested divorce preparation | $697+ |
| Joint divorce preparation | $1,297+ |
| Child guardianship preparation | $897–$2,497 |
| Adult guardianship preparation | $1,297–$2,497 |
| Probate or estate preparation | $2,497–$10,497 |
| Process serving | $85+ |
| Remote online notarization | $45 per signature |
| Witness service | $45 per witness |
| Loan signing | $325+ |
Separate from our fee
- Court fees
- Filing fees
- Publication fees
- Service-of-process charges
- Certified-copy fees
- Other government fees
- Shipping and courier
- Translation
- Apostille charges
- Any other third-party cost
Official fees are separate from PF fees. Filing fees vary by county and matter type. The court or clerk sets the final amount. Confirm the current amount directly with the applicable court or clerk before filing.
When you should contact an attorney instead
- The other party disputes the matter, or is represented by counsel
- Custody, relocation, or parenting time is genuinely contested
- Significant property, retirement assets, or a business must be divided
- There is a deadline, statute of limitations, or hearing date you may already have missed
- There is any allegation of abuse, fraud, or criminal exposure
- You do not know which form, court, or remedy applies to your situation
- You need someone to speak for you at a hearing
Frequently asked questions
What is legal document preparation?
It is a non-attorney service that prepares the documents you have selected, using the facts and instructions you provide. It is document preparation — not legal representation and not legal advice. You stay in control of what is prepared, what is signed, and what is filed.
How is this different from hiring an attorney?
An attorney can advise you, choose the legal strategy, decide which remedy fits your situation, and represent you in court. We cannot do any of those things. We prepare documents from your instructions. If your matter is contested, complex, time-sensitive, or involves significant property or custody risk, an attorney is the appropriate choice.
How is this different from an online form website?
Automated form sites hand you a template output. Our preparation is human-managed: a person reviews your intake for internal consistency, missing supporting documents, and formatting problems, and returns a checklist before you sign anything. We still do not choose your form or advise you on which remedy to pursue.
Who files the documents?
You do, unless a separately permitted service is expressly stated in writing. You review and sign your documents, file them with the correct court or agency, arrange service where required, and pay all official fees.
What does it cost?
PF professional fees start at $330 for research or document support and are listed in full on our pricing page. Court, filing, publication, service-of-process, certified-copy, government, shipping, translation, and apostille costs are separate and are never bundled into our fee.
How long does preparation take?
Most standard packages are completed within 5–7 business days after we receive a complete intake, all supporting documents, and payment. Revision rounds are handled within 24 to 72 hours. Larger estate and guardianship packages take longer and are scheduled after a scope review.
What if my documents get rejected by the clerk?
Clerks reject filings for many reasons, including local requirements we cannot control and information only you can supply. We will review the rejection notice and revise the prepared documents to correct anything within the scope of what we prepared. We cannot guarantee acceptance, and a rejection that reflects a legal defect in the matter itself needs an attorney.
Do you serve my state?
Our published consumer document preparation service areas are Florida and Georgia, with regional pages for South, Central, North, and Panhandle Florida. Some states regulate consumer document preparation and require registration or bonding; we do not offer or advertise a consumer service in those states unless our registration there is current and verified.
Required disclosure
Multi-state filing requirements tracker
Where common document packages are submitted, how each official portal accepts them, and what filers are usually asked to assemble first — with the government source and review date for every entry.
A maintained, source-linked reference for where common document packages are submitted in the states we serve, how the official portals accept them, and what filers are generally asked to assemble first. It is a logistics reference, not legal guidance.
Full table last reviewed 2026-07-26. Reviewed quarterly, and re-checked whenever a source portal changes.
Showing 15 of 15 entries.
Florida · FL
Family law documents
- Filing destination
- Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the case is filed
- Known filing methods
- Statewide e-filing portal
- In person at the clerk's office
- By mail where the clerk accepts it
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Photo identification for the filer
- Any prior court orders in the same matter
- Financial disclosure materials where the case type requires them
- Proof of residency where the case type requires it
- Limitations
- This row does not tell you which family-law form or remedy applies to your circumstances. That selection is a legal decision.
Sources: Florida Courts — Family Law Forms · Florida Courts E-Filing Portal · Reviewed 2026-07-26
Florida · FL
Probate and estate documents
- Filing destination
- Clerk of the Circuit Court, probate division, in the county of the decedent's residence
- Known filing methods
- Statewide e-filing portal
- In person at the clerk's probate division
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Certified death certificate
- Original will, if one exists
- Inventory of known assets and liabilities
- Identification and contact details for interested parties
- Limitations
- Florida restricts who may appear in most probate administrations. This row does not indicate whether your matter can proceed without an attorney.
Sources: Florida Courts — Probate Forms · Reviewed 2026-07-26
Florida · FL
Business formation and annual filings
- Filing destination
- Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
- Known filing methods
- Online through the state filing portal
- By mail to the Division of Corporations
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Proposed entity name and a name-availability check
- Principal and mailing addresses
- Registered agent name, Florida street address, and signed acceptance
- Names and addresses of authorized persons
- Limitations
- This row does not recommend an entity type, tax election, or ownership structure. Those are legal and tax decisions.
Sources: Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) · Reviewed 2026-07-26
Georgia · GA
Family law documents
- Filing destination
- Clerk of Superior Court in the county with jurisdiction over the matter
- Known filing methods
- County e-filing where the county offers it
- In person at the clerk's office
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Photo identification for the filer
- Prior orders in the same matter
- Financial affidavit materials where the case type requires them
- Residency documentation where the case type requires it
- Limitations
- Georgia procedure varies materially by county. This row does not state any county's local requirements.
Sources: Judicial Council of Georgia — Standard Forms · Reviewed 2026-07-26
Georgia · GA
Business formation and annual registration
- Filing destination
- Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division
- Known filing methods
- Online through the state filing portal
- By mail to the Corporations Division
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Proposed entity name and a name-availability check
- Principal office address
- Registered agent name and Georgia street address
- Organizer or incorporator details
- Limitations
- This row does not recommend an entity type or tax treatment.
Sources: Georgia Secretary of State — Corporations Division · Reviewed 2026-07-26
California · CA
Civil and family court documents
- Filing destination
- Superior Court of California in the county with jurisdiction
- Known filing methods
- County e-filing where the court requires or permits it
- In person at the courthouse filing window
- By mail where the court accepts it
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Judicial Council forms applicable to the case type, obtained from the official forms library
- Any local forms the county court publishes
- Prior orders in the same matter
- Proof-of-service materials where required
- Limitations
- California document preparation is a regulated activity. This row does not indicate which Judicial Council form applies to your matter.
Sources: California Courts — Official Forms · Reviewed 2026-07-26
California · CA
Business formation and statements of information
- Filing destination
- California Secretary of State (bizfile Online)
- Known filing methods
- Online through the state filing portal
- By mail
- In person at a Secretary of State office
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Proposed entity name and a name-availability check
- Principal and mailing addresses
- Agent for service of process details
- Management structure information required by the filing
- Limitations
- This row does not recommend an entity type, tax election, or franchise-tax approach.
Sources: California Secretary of State — bizfile Online · Reviewed 2026-07-26
Nevada · NV
Civil and family court documents
- Filing destination
- District Court or Justice Court clerk in the county with jurisdiction
- Known filing methods
- County e-filing where the court requires it
- In person at the clerk's office
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Photo identification for the filer
- Prior orders in the same matter
- Any county-specific cover sheets the court publishes
- Proof-of-service materials where required
- Limitations
- Nevada regulates document preparation under NRS 240A, which imposes registration and bonding requirements and restricts non-attorney activity. This row is informational only and does not describe permitted scope.
Sources: Nevada Judiciary · Reviewed 2026-07-26
Nevada · NV
Business formation and annual list filings
- Filing destination
- Nevada Secretary of State (SilverFlume)
- Known filing methods
- Online through the state business portal
- By mail to the Secretary of State
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Proposed entity name and a name-availability check
- Registered agent details and signed acceptance
- Officer, director, manager, or member information required by the filing
- State business licensing information
- Limitations
- This row does not recommend an entity type or licensing category.
Sources: Nevada SilverFlume Business Portal · Reviewed 2026-07-26
Texas · TX
Civil and family court documents
- Filing destination
- District Clerk or County Clerk in the county with jurisdiction
- Known filing methods
- Statewide e-filing system (attorney filings are mandatory; self-represented filers may e-file or file conventionally)
- In person at the clerk's office
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Photo identification for the filer
- Prior orders in the same matter
- Civil case information sheet where required
- Proof-of-service materials where required
- Limitations
- This row does not state any county's local rules or standing orders.
Sources: Texas Judicial Branch — Legal Forms · Reviewed 2026-07-26
Texas · TX
Business formation filings
- Filing destination
- Texas Secretary of State, Business & Public Filings Division
- Known filing methods
- Online through the state filing system
- By mail, fax, or in person
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Proposed entity name and a name-availability check
- Registered agent name, Texas address, and consent
- Governing person information
- Purpose statement where the filing requires one
- Limitations
- This row does not recommend an entity type or franchise-tax approach.
Sources: Texas Secretary of State — Business Organization Forms · Reviewed 2026-07-26
New York · NY
Civil and family court documents
- Filing destination
- County Clerk or the clerk of the specific court with jurisdiction
- Known filing methods
- NYSCEF electronic filing where the case type and county permit it
- In person at the courthouse
- By mail where the court accepts it
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Photo identification for the filer
- Prior orders in the same matter
- Index number information where a case already exists
- Affidavit of service materials where required
- Limitations
- New York court practice differs sharply between counties and case types. This row does not state which court has jurisdiction over your matter.
Sources: New York State Unified Court System — Forms · Reviewed 2026-07-26
New York · NY
Business formation filings
- Filing destination
- New York Department of State, Division of Corporations
- Known filing methods
- Online through the state filing portal
- By mail
- By fax where the filing type allows it
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Proposed entity name and a name-availability check
- County of the principal office within New York
- Service-of-process address designation
- Signature of the filer or organizer
- Limitations
- This row does not recommend an entity type, and does not address New York's separate post-formation publication obligations for certain entity types.
Sources: New York Department of State — Division of Corporations · Reviewed 2026-07-26
New Jersey · NJ
Civil and family court documents
- Filing destination
- Superior Court of New Jersey, vicinage with jurisdiction over the matter
- Known filing methods
- Judiciary electronic filing where the case type supports it
- In person at the vicinage courthouse
- By mail where the court accepts it
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Photo identification for the filer
- Prior orders in the same matter
- Case information statement where the case type requires it
- Proof-of-service materials where required
- Limitations
- This row does not state which vicinage or division has jurisdiction over your matter.
Sources: New Jersey Courts — Self-Help Resources · Reviewed 2026-07-26
New Jersey · NJ
Business formation and registration
- Filing destination
- New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
- Known filing methods
- Online through the state business formation portal
- Supporting materials commonly requested
- Proposed entity name and a name-availability check
- Registered agent name and New Jersey address
- Business purpose and NAICS-style activity description
- Responsible party details for the tax registration step
- Limitations
- New Jersey pairs formation with a separate tax registration step. This row does not tell you which tax registrations your activity triggers.
Sources: New Jersey Business Formation — Division of Revenue · Reviewed 2026-07-26
How to use this tracker
- No filing fees, deadlines, statutes, or form numbers appear here. Those change frequently, so we point you to the official portal rather than restating a figure that may already be out of date.
- Counties and individual courts add their own local requirements. Always confirm with the specific clerk or agency before you submit.
- PF Consulting Firm is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal opinions, legal strategy, or court representation. This tracker does not tell you which document, remedy, or court applies to your situation — that selection is a legal decision.
- Found something out of date? Email Admin@PFConsultingFirm.com with the source link and we will re-verify it.
City document preparation pages
Local pages for the cities where we publish city-specific process, community, and official-resource detail. Every page below is consumer document preparation only.
California
- Alameda document preparationAlameda County · West California
- Burbank document preparationLos Angeles County · South California
- Daly City document preparationSan Mateo County · West California
- Garden Grove document preparationOrange County · South California
- Glendale document preparationLos Angeles County · South California
- Rancho Cucamonga document preparationSan Bernardino County · South California
- Santa Monica document preparationLos Angeles County · South California
- Torrance document preparationLos Angeles County · South California
- Walnut Creek document preparationContra Costa County · West California
Florida
- Apopka document preparationOrange County · Central Florida
- Coral Springs document preparationBroward County · South Florida
- Deerfield Beach document preparationBroward County · South Florida
- Lake Worth document preparationPalm Beach County · South Florida
- Oviedo document preparationSeminole County · Central Florida
Where to go next
Last reviewed 2026-07-25 · Editorial reviewer: PF Consulting Firm — Compliance Review
Official sources referenced on this page
Pricing shown is PF Consulting Firm professional service pricing and is not a national average. Court, clerk, publication, service, and other third-party fees are separate.