I’m Mary L. Shaffer, a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) and Notary Public based in Chico, California, proudly serving customers statewide with trusted, affordable legal document preparation 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 hands-on experience in estate planning, property transfers, family law, and other areas of legal practice.
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 Notary Public, I’ve helped individuals and families across all 58 counties with estate documents, uncontested divorce paperwork, real estate transfers, 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.
Many people search for a paralegal when they need help preparing legal forms. In California, paralegals may only work under the supervision of an attorney. Legal Document Assistants (LDAs), by contrast, are authorized to work directly with the public—without giving legal advice or representing customers in court.
As a Legal Document Assistant, I am authorized to prepare documents at your direction and provide self-help legal document services. My work is done in full compliance with California Business & Professions Code §6400.
It’s my goal to make legal paperwork clear, accessible, and affordable for everyday Californians.