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/services: per-card 'Not legal advice' badge; /legal-notice: drop §6400-specific framing for general doc-prep model
39390b078dc9eb8ea1ae1313d1290798826acde6 · 2026-05-06 13:58:31 -0700 · Steve
Files touched
M server/public/legal-notice.htmlM server/public/services.html
Diff
commit 39390b078dc9eb8ea1ae1313d1290798826acde6
Author: Steve <steve@designerwallcoverings.com>
Date: Wed May 6 13:58:31 2026 -0700
/services: per-card 'Not legal advice' badge; /legal-notice: drop §6400-specific framing for general doc-prep model
---
server/public/legal-notice.html | 51 +++++++++++++++++++++--------------------
server/public/services.html | 24 ++++++++++++++++---
2 files changed, 47 insertions(+), 28 deletions(-)
diff --git a/server/public/legal-notice.html b/server/public/legal-notice.html
index 60a4297..6aa2ac0 100644
--- a/server/public/legal-notice.html
+++ b/server/public/legal-notice.html
@@ -225,37 +225,38 @@
<li>Maintain attorney–client privilege over communications with us. Anything you tell our chat or our staff is <strong>not privileged</strong>.</li>
</ul>
- <h2>California Legal Document Assistant <em>Disclosure</em></h2>
- <p>If we file documents on your behalf in California, that filing service is performed under California Business and Professions Code <strong>§§6400–6415</strong>, which governs <strong>Legal Document Assistants ("LDAs")</strong> in California.</p>
+ <h2>Our <em>Operating Model</em>: Document Preparation Only</h2>
+ <p>VenturaClaw operates as a <strong>self-help document preparation service</strong>. The line we draw is simple and intentional, and it is the line that separates lawful self-help services from the unauthorized practice of law in every U.S. state:</p>
<div class="codeblock">
-<b>California Business & Professions Code §6400(c):</b>
-"Legal document assistant" means any person who is otherwise not exempted and who provides, or assists in providing, or offers to provide, or offers to assist in providing, for compensation, any self-help service to a member of the public who is representing himself or herself in a legal matter, or who holds himself or herself out as someone who offers that service or has that authority.
-
-<b>What an LDA may do (under §6400):</b>
-• Type or otherwise complete legal forms selected <i>by the customer</i>.
-• File and serve documents at the customer's direction.
-• Provide general published factual information that has been written or approved by an attorney.
-
-<b>What an LDA may <span style="color:#c66c4d">NOT</span> do (under §6400(g)):</b>
-• Recommend a specific course of action.
-• Choose forms <i>for</i> the customer.
-• Draft pleadings.
-• Provide legal advice.
-• Represent the customer in any matter, court, or before any agency.
+<b>What we do — and only what we do:</b>
+• Provide general published factual information about common forms and filings.
+• Type or complete forms <i>that the customer selected</i>, using information <i>the customer provided</i>.
+• Submit completed forms to the agency <i>at the customer's express direction</i>.
+• Surface the relevant government website and form so the customer can DIY for free if they prefer.
+
+<b>What we explicitly do <span style="color:#c66c4d">NOT</span> do:</b>
+• Recommend a specific course of action ("you should form an LLC").
+• Choose forms <i>for</i> the customer ("here's the right form for your situation").
+• Draft pleadings, contracts, or any document requiring legal judgment.
+• Apply law to facts. Apply tax rules to facts. Apply insurance rules to facts.
+• Represent the customer before any court, agency, or third party.
+• Maintain attorney–client privilege over any communication.
</div>
- <p>If you are a California resident purchasing a document preparation or filing service from us, you have the following rights under California law:</p>
+ <p>Because we operate strictly within these boundaries, the relationship between you and VenturaClaw is a <strong>self-help contractor relationship</strong>: you tell us which form to fill out, you provide the information, you confirm the result, you authorize submission. We type and we file. We do not advise.</p>
+
+ <p>Some U.S. states regulate non-attorney document preparation services (for example, California has a registration framework for "Legal Document Assistants" under Bus. & Prof. Code §§6400–6415; some states have similar regimes; many do not). VenturaClaw's services are designed to operate within the boundaries of self-help document preparation in every state where we accept customers. If you are a customer in a state with a registration regime and you have questions about our compliance posture, email <a href="mailto:info@venturaclaw.com">info@venturaclaw.com</a> with your state.</p>
+
+ <p>You have the following rights as a customer of any VenturaClaw filing service, regardless of state:</p>
<ol>
- <li>The right to know whether your document preparer is registered as an LDA in your county and bonded as required by §6405.</li>
- <li>The right to a written contract that itemizes services and fees before any payment is required.</li>
+ <li>The right to a clear written description of services and fees before any payment is collected.</li>
<li>The right to receive copies of all completed documents.</li>
- <li>The right to a refund of fees paid for services not yet rendered.</li>
- <li>The right to file a complaint with the State Bar of California and your county's District Attorney if you believe you have received unauthorized legal advice.</li>
+ <li>The right to a refund of fees paid for services not yet rendered (see Refund Policy below).</li>
+ <li>The right to cancel and DIY at any time before submission.</li>
+ <li>The right to file a complaint with your state bar, attorney general, or consumer protection agency if you believe you have received unauthorized legal advice from us. Contact info below.</li>
</ol>
- <p><strong>VenturaClaw's California LDA registration status, bond information, and county of registration will be displayed on each filing-service confirmation page before any payment is collected.</strong> If you do not see this information at the time of purchase, do <strong>not</strong> proceed with the filing service. Email <a href="mailto:info@venturaclaw.com">info@venturaclaw.com</a> for verification.</p>
-
<h2>Unauthorized Practice of Law <em>(UPL)</em></h2>
<p>The unauthorized practice of law is a crime in every U.S. state. We have structured our service specifically so that <strong>we do not engage in the practice of law</strong>. The line, in California and most states, sits at this:</p>
<div class="pull">
@@ -329,8 +330,8 @@
<dd>The application of legal principles to a specific person's facts, with a recommendation about what they should or should not do. We do not provide this.</dd>
<dt>Tax Advice</dt>
<dd>The application of tax law to a specific person's situation, with a recommendation about positions to take. We do not provide this.</dd>
- <dt>LDA</dt>
- <dd>Legal Document Assistant — California's licensing structure for non-attorney document preparers, governed by Bus. & Prof. Code §§6400–6415.</dd>
+ <dt>Self-Help Service</dt>
+ <dd>A service that helps a person represent themselves in a non-litigation administrative or commercial filing — without giving legal advice or applying professional judgment.</dd>
<dt>UPL</dt>
<dd>Unauthorized Practice of Law — a crime in every U.S. state, prohibiting non-attorneys from giving legal advice or representing others.</dd>
</dl>
diff --git a/server/public/services.html b/server/public/services.html
index 7caa2c6..9ea3c63 100644
--- a/server/public/services.html
+++ b/server/public/services.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1" />
<title>Small-Business Services — VenturaClaw</title>
-<meta name="description" content="Form an LLC, register a DBA, file your BOI, open a business bank account, get insured, and 25+ other small-business services. Free DIY guides, small flat-fee document preparation, and an AI assistant on every page. Not a law firm." />
+<meta name="description" content="Form an LLC, register a DBA, file your BOI, open a business bank account, get insured, and 28 other small-business services. Free DIY guides, small flat-fee document preparation, and an AI assistant on every page. Not a law firm." />
<style>
:root {
--bg: #0e0e10; --bg-2: #15151a; --bg-3: #1c1c22; --bg-4: #25252e;
@@ -200,6 +200,15 @@
display: flex; flex-direction: column;
position: relative;
}
+ .svc .nla-badge {
+ position: absolute; top: 12px; right: 14px;
+ font-family: var(--mono); font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase;
+ color: var(--bad); background: rgba(198,108,77,0.08);
+ border: 1px solid var(--bad); border-radius: 999px;
+ padding: 3px 8px;
+ pointer-events: none;
+ }
+ .svc .nla-badge::before { content: "⚠ "; }
.svc:hover {
border-left-color: var(--gold);
background: var(--bg-3);
@@ -375,14 +384,14 @@
</div>
<section class="hero">
- <div class="eyebrow"><span class="dot"></span><span>29 services · 6 categories · plain English</span></div>
+ <div class="eyebrow"><span class="dot"></span><span>30 services · 6 categories · plain English</span></div>
<h1>Start, register, and <em>protect</em> your business — without the legal-zoom upsell maze.</h1>
<p class="lede">
Forming an LLC, filing a DBA, getting an EIN, opening a business bank account, BOI compliance, sales tax permits — most of it is <em>free</em> if you know the form. Where it's not, we file for you at a small flat fee. The chat on the left answers anything, anytime, on a local model that doesn't see your data.
</p>
<span class="savings-badge"><span class="dot"></span>Save $500–$3,000 vs. LegalZoom / ZenBusiness on a typical bundle</span>
<div class="stats">
- <div class="stat"><div class="num">29</div><div class="lbl">Services covered</div></div>
+ <div class="stat"><div class="num">30</div><div class="lbl">Services covered</div></div>
<div class="stat"><div class="num">$0</div><div class="lbl">DIY tier on most</div></div>
<div class="stat"><div class="num">$29–99</div><div class="lbl">If we file for you</div></div>
<div class="stat"><div class="num">24/7</div><div class="lbl">AI assistant</div></div>
@@ -507,6 +516,15 @@
</main>
<script>
+ // ----- "not legal advice" badge on every service card -----
+ document.querySelectorAll('.svc').forEach(el => {
+ const b = document.createElement('span');
+ b.className = 'nla-badge';
+ b.textContent = 'Not legal advice';
+ b.title = 'VenturaClaw is not a law firm. See /legal-notice.';
+ el.appendChild(b);
+ });
+
// ----- chat panel state -----
const panel = document.getElementById('chatPanel');
const toggle = document.getElementById('chatToggle');
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