Many people are concerned about whether they can afford the legal counsel they require when faced with a divorce or family law matter. However, with unbundled legal services, you can get the representation you need for the specific issues you need it for in your case. Rather than retain an attorney for your entire legal matter, limited scope representation allows you to pick the parts of your case an attorney will help you with — and you won’t incur the substantial legal fees that are typically associated with full representation.
Also referred to as “unbundled” or “a la carte” legal services, limited scope representation allows you to decide what parts of your case an attorney helps you with. Unlike traditional, full scope representation, limited scope representation is specifically tailored to certain parts of your case. In other words, a lawyer would only take on some parts of your divorce or family law matter, and you would handle the rest on your own.
There are a number of benefits that can come with using limited scope representation, particularly when it comes to controlling the costs of your legal fees. If unbundled legal services are right for your divorce or family law matter, they can allow you to dictate where your attorney fees will be spent — and better manage the overall costs associated with your case. Specifically, with limited scope representation, there are no retainers. You will pay a flat fee for each service, or an hourly rate, depending on the specific legal tasks that will be completed in your case.
Another advantage of limited scope representation is the flexibility it offers. You can also have a greater sense of involvement in your case and be more satisfied with the outcome by using limited scope representation. In addition, using these types of services can often make your case less contentious and allow you to maintain an amicable relationship with your former spouse, which is particularly important if you will be co-parenting.
From start to finish, there are many different components to a divorce or family law matter. For instance, depending on the facts of your case, you may need to file motions, conduct discovery, negotiate a settlement, or research a specific legal issue. If you are considering unbundled legal services, it may be best to first have a consultation with an attorney who can evaluate your case and inform you of the legal options available to you. They can also help you develop a plan to move forward toward an efficient and effective resolution. Limited scope representation can be used in divorce, paternity, post-divorce matters, and other family law matters.
Some examples where limited scope representation can be used include the following:
Once you decide which parts of your case will be handled by an attorney, they will provide you with an engagement letter that outlines the specific tasks they will complete, the costs of these tasks, and how the attorney-client relationship will end. The engagement letter will also outline other expenses you can expect to pay, such as filing fees. If you need additional help with your case or an issue in it, you will need to enter into a new limited scope representation agreement that describes the tasks the attorney will handle.
Limited scope representation can be used in a wide variety of divorce and family law matters. However, it usually works best in cases that are straightforward. For situations that are very complex or contentious, it may be best to consider full scope representation.
Other cases where limited scope representation can be beneficial are those with just one or two technical issues. For example, you may be able to handle the majority of the case on your own, but need help with the more complicated aspects of it, which would typically require the assistance of counsel.
Every divorce or family law matter is unique — and the strategy used in each case should be specifically tailored to the issues in it. If you are considering limited scope representation, it’s essential to discuss your case with an experienced family law attorney who provides unbundled legal services. Located in St. Paul, The Law Shop Minnesota provides a wide range of customized client services for divorce and family law matters. We are available to meet in person or via Zoom, so it does not matter where you are in Minnesota. We welcome you to contact us online for a consultation or by calling (651) 344-6100.
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