Beginning November 15, 2026, National Lien Services is updating its Arizona conflict-screening procedures to address revised requirements governing Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparers.
The practical takeaway: an Arizona document request may require additional review before we can proceed. If a conflict exists, we may need informed written consent from affected clients—or an independent provider may be needed.
These requirements are not unique to NLS. They apply to Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparers providing these services. Changing providers does not eliminate the applicable rules, although another provider may not have the same relationships creating a particular conflict.
Not every request will require a waiver. Here is what to expect.
Why is this happening?
The Arizona Supreme Court adopted Administrative Order 2026-186, revising the rules governing Arizona Legal Document Preparers. The revised provisions expressly address professional conflict-of-interest requirements involving current clients, former clients, and certain personal or business interests.
NLS is implementing screening procedures to identify circumstances that could affect our ability to provide requested document-preparation services.
You can review the Court’s Administrative Order 2026-186 here.
What could create a conflict?
Construction projects involve multiple businesses, and NLS may provide services to more than one participant. Serving businesses on the same project does not automatically require us to decline a request, but certain relationships require closer review.
For example, a conflict concern may arise when:
- A customer requests a mechanics’ lien involving another current NLS customer.
- A request concerns a matter in which NLS previously provided services to another affected business.
- Confidential information or another professional obligation could materially limit our ability to perform the requested services.
These are examples—not an exhaustive list. Each situation must be assessed individually.
Having clients sign their own documents does not, by itself, eliminate conflict concerns associated with our preparation of those documents.
What happens if a request is flagged?
A screening flag does not mean anyone has done anything wrong. It means we need to review the circumstances before proceeding.
Depending on that review, we may:
- Clear the request without additional documentation.
- Ask for information about the companies, project, or requested services.
- Provide a matter-specific disclosure and request informed written consent from each affected client, where permitted.
- Decline the requested services and provide information about independent providers.
A signed waiver does not automatically resolve every conflict. Some circumstances do not permit us to proceed, even when everyone is willing to sign.
Before contacting another affected business, we will also assess what information we may appropriately disclose.
What does signing a consent mean?
The disclosure will identify the proposed services, the relevant conflict, and the material risks and alternatives.
Consent concerns NLS’s ability to perform the specifically described services. It is not an admission that a payment claim is valid, an agreement to pay, or a waiver of defenses to the underlying claim.
Consent is voluntary. Each recipient may ask questions, seek independent legal advice, or decline. Silence is not consent.
Will switching lien companies avoid these requirements?
Switching providers does not eliminate the professional rules that apply to the services being provided. These are Arizona regulatory requirements—not restrictions NLS independently created.
However, conflicts depend on each provider’s relationships and circumstances. An independent provider that does not have the same conflict may be able to assist when NLS cannot.
The distinction matters: another provider may offer a solution to a particular conflict, but changing companies is not a blanket exemption from Arizona’s requirements.
How can you help keep your request moving?
Please provide complete and accurate project information, including the legal names of the businesses involved. Our escalation intake process will also request a conflict contact’s name, title, and email address.
Respond promptly if our team requests clarification or sends a disclosure for review.
Conflict screening does not extend lien, notice, bond-claim, or other deadlines. Clients remain responsible for tracking their deadlines. Submit requests early, and do not assume work is proceeding while a conflict review remains unresolved.
Questions or concerns about the requirements?
Our team can explain NLS’s screening process and the status of your request. However, NLS cannot waive or change the Court’s requirements.
Questions about the rules, requests for clarification, or feedback about their impact on your business may be directed to:
Arizona Supreme Court
Certification and Licensing Division
Legal Document Preparer Program
Email: LDP@courts.az.gov
Phone: 602-452-3378
When providing feedback, describe the practical impact on your business, such as additional costs, delays, or difficulty obtaining time-sensitive document preparation. Please do not include confidential project or customer information.
Our commitment to you
We understand that construction-payment documents are time-sensitive and that additional review can be frustrating. Our goal is to identify concerns early, communicate clearly, and minimize avoidable disruption while meeting our professional obligations.
If your request requires additional review, please rest assured that this is of utmost priority and we will work diligently to resolve this and communicate with you as quickly as possible.
National Lien Services provides document-preparation services, not legal advice. This article offers general information and does not determine whether a conflict exists, whether consent is permissible, or whether a particular claim is legally available.