Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Helping Someone to fill out Legal form is a Crime?

Your question is very general. The dividing line is not precise. A person helping another fill out a legal form cannot be giving legal advice, unless they are a licensed attorney. If it is simply providing forms for a person (stationary stores used to do this) or typing those forms for someone who is providing this information to you, that is generally okay. If you intend on advising a person as to what to file, when, and how - then you may be getting too close to the practice of law which is against the law. Each state has its own criminal penalties for this type of thing. Many people have crossed that line regarding bankruptcy filings and some states are starting to crack down.

Hope this helps.

Greg Cantwell

(860)738-2929