The FALDP Docket

Volume 12 Issue 1; January 2022

Stay up to date, and in the know.This is our monthly newsletter. We publish this for the benefit of FALDP members, legal document preparers, and friends. Published monthly since May, 2010

Annual Membership Drive

We are in the midst of our annual membership drive. Document preparers may join now for only $66.50. This discount is available through February. Keep in mind that all members (except those who join in March or April) must renew membership this year, no later than July 31, 2022.

Annual Membership Drive video

Zoom Meetings

Certificates of Membership

Updated certificates of membership were sent out to members in August. Newer members may not have received a Certificate, please request one if you like. We generally issue these upon membership renewal. We send them via email from faldp2010@gmail.com. If you are maintaining or seeking FALDP Certification, you can earn one CEU simply by displaying your certificate on social media, and sending us a screen shot.

Carve Out Your Niche

A common question from new members is what types of documents should they focus on. I always answer the same way. First, do whatever types of documents that you're drawn to. It makes no sense to focus on a certain type of documents if you're not drawn to them. For example, I personally don't prepare documents for estate planning, but I recognize that there is a big demand. I just don't do them, because I think people procrastinate in having their will and associated documents prepared. And then, at the last minute everything is a rush. That doesn't sound fun to me.

But many other members focus almost exclusively on estate planning documents. And thrive.

I always suggest that people offer family law documents, that is, if they are at all drawn to family law. My reasoning is twofold. First, family law documents are Florida Supreme Court approved documents. This means that document preparers may intake the information orally, making it an easier process than requiring your customer to fill out a formal questionnaire. And, second, the demand for family law documents never ends. I often say, "everyone has a family and families never run out of problems." I mean this to be true, and am not being cynical.

Find a few things you like, documents that you enjoy and focus on those. Later on, you can always add on more services, but if you try to do too much too soon, you can easily become overwhelmed.

FALDP 2022 GOALS

Members did you make a business goal list for 2022? If so, please share in our private FB group.

Member Directory Overhaul

Now when you click on "Find Help" on the FALDP site navigation you'll arrive on a page that gives you a choice of directory. You can either choose the County Member Directory which we have always had available. Or you can choose the All Member Directory. The latter is brief information and includes all members. (It is not completely finished, so maybe not "all" yet.) Check it out. Also, it's very easy to search by using the "Find" button in your browser. The idea is to make the directory easier for consumers to use and to find our members.

The information that members provide for the county directory will stay the same. Please check your listing to make sure all is correct. Any changes or updates should be made through the Members Only area, just like you initially submitted your directory information initially. Please don't send an email requesting a change or update on a member listing. These requests can easily get lost in our email, and your change won't be made.

Please note: We will no longer add member information to the County Member Directory for those members who have neglected to do so. However, we will add your brief information to the All Member Directory. We base the information to display on the information you gave us in your Membership Application.

You can share our videos & articles!

We have a growing list of videos on our channel. They're all about different aspects of document preparation, branded with the FALDP logo and information. Members are invited to use our videos on their sites, online ads, or on social media. Depending on where you display, you can share from YouTube, by using the share link or embed code.

For example, on your own business FB page, you could share one of our divorce videos, and above it simply state that you are an FALDP member, and you prepare documents for divorce.

And, FALDP members are also invited to use content from our blog on their site and social media. Check out our searchable blog on Legal Sunshine Please remember to give proper attribution. Almost all blog articles were written by Ruth Tick, a few are guest posts. Excerpts are allowed, as some of the articles are very long. Be sure to state that this is an excerpt of ...

Spanish Parenting Course Available

The Spanish version of the Parenting Course, offered through our sister company, Horizon Research Network, LLC, has been approved by DCF. We received notification of its approval on October 9th, 2020.

Prices are the same as our English version. $29.99 and $14.99 for low income. Here's the link directly to the Spanish version - spanish parenting course The Spanish version is also displayed on our FALDP site, and can be accessed by going to the English version.

Parenting Course

Parental Education and Family Stabilization Course is mandatory for all divorcing couples who have children; and all people seeking a paternity action. The cost is $29.99 and $14.99 for indigent. Here's the link directly to the - Parenting Course

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FALDP Private Facebook Group

About one third of our membership has joined the FALDP private Facebook group. We created it to make it easier to interact with each other. So far, people have given work referrals to one another; asked questions to the group; received help in locating a form; and discussed various issues. If you're working toward FALDP Certification, you earn one CEU just by joining the group. So, what are you waiting for? Look for the private group after going to the official FALDP Facebook page at FALDP,LLC on Facebook.

Member's Announcements & Contributions

Have something to share?

If you would like to write an article, editorial, opinion piece, or web page please let us know. We are always in need of fresh information and insights.