If you are facing divorce or a family law issue and are concerned about the expense of hiring a lawyer to represent you, limited scope representation might be the right option for you. Specifically, limited scope representation in family law can offer a number of benefits, ranging from cost savings to greater control in your case. It can also allow you to have more opportunities to participate in your family law matter and give you more flexibility when it comes to reaching a resolution.

Here are several things you can expect when you opt for limited scope representation in a family law case:

1. Your Attorney Will Only Take on Part of Your Matter

Unlike with full scope representation, a limited scope attorney will only take on part of your legal matter. You and your attorney will decide which aspects of your case they will handle — and you can customize your representation to your needs and financial circumstances. These services can be representation for part of your divorce or more of a consulting role behind the scenes. If you require legal assistance beyond the services that you initially agreed upon, you may enter into another agreement with your attorney for unbundled services.

2. You Will Have the Opportunity to Participate More in Your Case

Typically, with traditional representation, your attorney will handle all aspects of your case from start to finish. But when you work with a limited scope attorney, you will have more opportunities to participate in your legal matter — and can often feel more involved than you would with full scope representation. While your attorney will only represent you for the specific or complex issues you need help with, you can handle the simpler parts of your case on your own.

3. You Will Have Greater Control Over the Outcome of Your Case

In addition to giving you the opportunity to participate more in your case, limited scope representation in family law can give you greater control over the outcome. An attorney will represent you only when you decide you need assistance and you will handle the other parts of your case on your own. This can give you a greater sense of satisfaction with the results of your legal matter.

4. You Will Have Lower Costs Than You Would Incur with Full Scope Representation

Limited scope representation in family law can help to lower the costs that are usually associated with having the counsel of an attorney. Since the legal services are unbundled, you get to choose the parts of your case a lawyer will help with, which can reduce your overall costs. For example, if you are facing a custody issue, you might only require assistance with drafting a petition — or you might need help presenting your case in the courtroom. A limited scope attorney will only charge you for the specific components of your case that they handle. Or you might discuss a possible settlement with your attorney and they let you know about issues you were not thinking about that can save you legal costs in the long run because you addressed it at the front end.

5. You Will Have More Flexibility

Family law limited scope representation can give you flexibility by providing you with access to representation for specific aspects of your case. When you use unbundled legal services, you don’t have to be concerned about paying a substantial retainer at the beginning of your case or receiving a large attorney’s bill each month. In fact, with limited scope representation, you are not required to pay the costs for comprehensive representation — instead, you can choose exactly where your funds are spent in your case. You pay for the limited scope services.

6. Your Limited Scope Attorney Can Provide You with the Insight You Need

Every family law matter is different — but no matter what your legal issue is, you can benefit from having the insight of a knowledgeable attorney. A limited scope representation attorney can provide you with a consultation to identify the legal issues that need to be addressed in your case, offer a second opinion regarding your matter, and provide their opinion concerning settlement options. They can also help you decide whether you should appeal a judgment from the lower court or provide you with self-representation coaching.

Find Out Whether Limited Scope Representation is Right for Your Family Law Matter

If you are considering limited scope representation for your divorce or family law matter, it’s vital to discuss your case with a skillful family law attorney who can provide the unbundled legal help you need. Located in St. Paul and Edina, The Law Shop Minnesota provides a broad scope of client services for matrimonial and family law issues in Minnesota matters. We are available to meet in person or via Zoom, regardless of whether you are in Minnesota. We welcome you to contact us online for a consultation or by calling (651) 344-6100. We recommend reading this blog if you are curious about the Benefits of Unbundled Legal Services.