About By The People
Helping families save thousands on legal documents since the 1990s — with flat-fee pricing, no attorneys, and real people in your community who care about getting your paperwork done right.
Our Story
By The People — also known as We The People — was founded in the 1990s with a simple idea: legal documents shouldn't require a lawyer's hourly rate. The forms are the same whether an attorney or a document preparer fills them out. The difference is the cost.
What started as a single office in the 1990s has grown into a network of independently-owned locations across the United States — each one run by a local document preparer who knows their community and their state's specific legal requirements. Our model is built on accessibility: flat fees, no surprises, and a real person near you who handles your paperwork from start to finish.
Today, By The People serves thousands of clients every year — from divorce papers and living trusts to LLC formation and estate planning. Each office brings decades of combined experience, deep local knowledge, and a commitment to treating every client with dignity and respect.
What We Stand For
Flat-Fee Transparency
You know the price before we start. No hourly billing, no retainers, no surprise charges. Just a fair, upfront fee for professional document preparation.
Community-First Service
Every office is independently owned and operated by someone who lives in the community they serve. We're your neighbors — not a call center or an online form factory.
Experience You Can Trust
Our network has been preparing legal documents for over 30 years. From certified Legal Document Assistants to experienced document preparers across the network, your paperwork is in skilled hands.
No Attorneys, No Intimidation
The legal system can feel overwhelming — we make it approachable. We prepare your documents in plain language and guide you through every step, without the pressure or the price tag of a law firm.
Our Journey
A Company Is Born
By The People opens its doors — one of the first legal document preparation services, built on the idea that families shouldn't need an attorney to file routine legal paperwork.
Independent Offices Join the Network
By The People's flat-fee model spreads, building some of the longest-running locations in the network and serving thousands of clients over more than two decades.
Growing Nationwide
New independently-owned offices open across the country, extending the flat-fee model to new communities.
Modernizing Service
The network embraces digital tools and new service models — bringing document preparation into the digital age while keeping the local, community-first approach that defines us.
Expanding Access
By The People continues to grow, adding specialist locations and bringing the mission of making legal document preparation accessible to everyone to new communities nationwide.
Why Families Choose Us
30+ Years of Experience
We've been helping families navigate legal paperwork since the 1990s. Our longevity speaks to the trust communities place in us — generation after generation.
Local Offices You Can Walk Into
Unlike online-only services, we have real offices across the United States. Walk in, meet your document preparer, and leave knowing your paperwork is handled.
Thousands Served Annually
From uncontested divorces to living trusts, LLC formation to probate — we help thousands of people every year save money and avoid the complexity of the traditional legal system.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you need a divorce, a living trust, or an LLC — we're here to help. Find your local office and get a free quote today. No attorneys, no hourly billing, just affordable document preparation from people in your community.