I have been in business in Monterey, California since 1991. I have handled thousands of cases in Monterey County since then. I primarily handle family law which includes divorce, child custody, child visitation, legal guardianship and related legal services. I have been a notary public since 1992.

California law requires me to disclose certain information. I am a registered Legal Document Assistant. I am registered with the Monterey County Clerk. My registration number is LDA3. My registration expires 1/26/2010 and is renewed every two years. I am required by law to make the following statement: "I am not an attorney. I can only provide self-help services at your specific direction." Because I am not an attorney, I do not give legal advice, and I do not represent clients in court.

I have taught paralegals how to handle divorces and other legal matters since 1995. I California law changed a few years ago, and a paralegal who does not work for an attorney is now called a Legal Document Assistant. It's basically the same thing but with a different title. Technically, a paralegal must work for an attorney and has different legal requirements. Whatever I am called, I have been doing the same thing since 1991. I am a regular consultant to Legal Document Assistants and paralegals who require further training and assistance handling cases. Local attorneys regularly refer clients to me who have routine cases that do not require attorney representation.

My office is located at 1015 Cass Street, Suite 10 in downtown Monterey. It is near the doctor's offices on Cass Street. My typical office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. I am available before or after those times occasionally, and I am also available on weekends by prior arrangement. The two best ways to reach me are by phone: (831) 375-8600 or by email: michael@montereylda.com. Some people prefer to do both, and that's okay. If I don't answer the phone during the day, I am probably at the courthouse filing documents, on the phone or in a meeting with someone. I am the only one who answers the phone, checks the voicemail messages and reads my emails, so you can leave a confidential message any time.

In case you are wondering about the picture on the upper right hand side of each page, that is the front of the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. I took that picture during one of several trips there in 2007. I regularly visit libraries, archives and historical societies around the country in pursuit of my passion for investigating and writing about historical legends and curiosities.