Finding A Local Limited Scope Family Law Attorney

What Is A Limited Scope Family Law Lawyer?

In speaking with potential clients, I often find my contentiants have heard the term "unbundled" or "limited scope attorney" but have no idea what those firms actually do. A Limited Scope Family Law Attorney will provide limited intervention in your case, as needed, when needed. Not unlike hiring a plumber or electrician to perform a service in your home. You would not hire a plumber to replace your roof and you would not hire an electrician to fix your leaky toilet. Likewise, if your car breaks down, you would probably head to the local mechanic to have them look at it before taking it to your favorite transmission specialist. In each of these scenarios , your attorney will not be involved throughout the course of your divorce or custody matter. Only hire and pay for the services you need. As the matter proceeds through the litigation you may choose to limit the scope of work and therefore expenses based on the resolution of certain issues.
My firm charges only for those services you need. If you choose to handle all scheduling issues, then there is no need for a court appearance and no hourly charge for that work. If you handle the drafting of the witness list and document production, then there is no need to involve your attorney at a higher level and incur additional cost. Unlike many traditional, full-service family law firms in which the client never knows what they are paying for, you will know the costs upfront.
Your Limited Scope Family Law Attorney will have all necessary skills and training of a full-service family law attorney, but more importantly, the right attitude to work collaboratively and for you, saving you time and money.

Advantages Of Limited Scope Representation

Nearest and dearest to us, however, is the fact that there are many benefits for you and your case! When you interview and speak with local family law attorneys about your case, you should ensure that they understand and agree to the terms of your representation, including whether you will be handling some or all of your own case in between your scheduled meetings or phone calls. A limited-scope attorney may help you place the focus on gathering documentation and information about you and your family while your family law attorney handles the legal work. There are other benefits as well, including the following:

• Paying for only those services that are necessary;
• Focusing on just what is important to you and getting help with those things. Often, a client knows what she wants but is not interested in debating issues with her spouse. She just wants the divorce over without the additional stress. A limited-scope arrangement can help you accomplish a lot in a relatively short amount of time.
• Flexible and affordable payment options, such as a "pay as you go" option, often creating a budget-friendly game plan and allowing you to have some control over how much you spend on your case.

Typical Cases for Limited Scope Help

There are all types of family law cases that benefit from the engagement of a limited scope family law attorney. In general, a limited scope attorney may be beneficial in any family law case. More specifically, some limited scope family law cases for attorneys may include the following matters:
Divorce
If your spouse or partner has filed for divorce, you can have a limited scope family law attorney by your side to assist you as needed. This means that you only pay your attorney for the services you need, and not for anything more. You can consult with the attorney about your situation, such as how to receive spousal support, child support, or child visitation. If negotiation fails, a limited scope attorney can help you file for divorce or legal separation. If you face legal problems after your divorce, having an attorney who has helped you before can make a difference.
Child Custody
For families with children, the outcome of custody negotiations is often the most important matter. Limited scope representation is ideal because most parents and guardians can negotiate custody agreements, but they still generally need legal support at different phases of the process. Your limited scope family law attorney can assist you with drafting a parenting plan, drafting a motion if the other party refuses to comply, and resolving custody disputes in court.
Child Support
In regards to child support, limited scope representation is beneficial for each step of the process including:
Alimony
When a couple in Los Angeles files for divorce, the wealthier spouse may have to pay alimony to the other. Limited scope representation is helpful in this type of case, because alimony negotiations can be time-consuming and challenging. Your limited scope family law attorney can help you determine whether to file for alimony or if you may be entitled to spousal support, as well as helping you establish financial need and reach an agreement with your spouse.

How to Locate a Limited Scope Family Lawyer

If you would like to find a limited scope family law attorney near you, there are several key steps that you will want to take to ensure that you have the right lawyer for your particular case. First, you should familiarize yourself with local rules – many courts allow family law litigants to have limited scope representation.
You can do this by checking your state bar association for a list of approved lawyers, or by searching online for your county’s family law court. If either type of search recommends a lawyer, you can contact the attorney to schedule a consultation.
Try to find an attorney who has taken at least one course on "unbundled" representation, as this means they understand the ethical boundaries of limited scope work in your state. You can determine whether an attorney has taken this type of course by calling the law school or checking the lawyer’s profile on state bar website.
Finally, when you have narrowed down your selection to at least three attorneys, it is always best to meet with all of them before hiring a lawyer for limited scope representation. This allows you to get a gut feeling on which attorney will offer the legal support you need.

Questions to pose to a prospective lawyer

Every attorney is different in their approach and personality. However, some key questions to keep in mind during the interview process include:

• Do you see me taking on more responsibility for this case?
• Are you prepared to do all of the work yourself?
• How will we allocate responsibility for the work in the case?
• How do you expect me to pay for the work I do?
• What if I cannot pay to have you finish the case?
• Will you help me to hire another attorney?
• Do you know of any financial resources available to me?
• Will you go with me to mediation and/or a final hearing?
• Are there any risks associated with my case?
• Periodically , do you review the status of my case?
• Will you keep me informed of the status of my case?
• Will I receive copies of pleadings and correspondence from my case?

Getting Ready for Your Initial Consultation

You need to prepare for your initial meeting with your limited scope family law attorney and take the necessary documents, otherwise much of what you discuss with your attorney will be wasted. While different attorneys will request different documents, here is a list of documents we recommend you a least begin collecting for your initial meeting:
If you or your ex remarried:
• Financial Disclosure forms from your ex
• Tax returns and W2s for the past three years
• income documents for your ex-spouse such as paystubs
• Retirement income documents for your ex-spouse such as summaries and statements
• Personal property new worth in your ex-spouse’s possession such as appraisals or photographs with receipts
Custody Schedule:
• Custody orders from prior/current court cases
• Current child custody schedule
• Any professional reports in possession of you or your ex such as a therapist report
• Your records of custody exchanges and visits with your children
• Email and correspondence with your ex regarding parenting time
• Calendar of visits with your children
Child Support:
• Child support orders from prior/current court cases
• Paystubs, W2s, and government documents showing income
• Your records of child support payments.

Understanding Your Obligations

You should know up front that it is likely you will have obligations in your case that you may be used to relying on an attorney to handle for you – but you will have to have a deal with or handle on your own. You will be doing some of the actual legwork. This often includes: Not understanding that you are going to be responsible for taking on the tasks that your attorney typically would take on is the most important piece of information to have up front about hiring a limited scope attorney. The success or failure of this arrangement rides on your willingness to be a part of the process. There will be increased responsibilities on your part, and on top of that, you’ll have to be able to set aside your feelings of resentment towards your attorney when he or she tries to delegate tasks to you. You have the right to be frustrated by this process , especially if you hired a limited scope attorney because you needed help, but had concerns about the costs. You will be expected to take part in the research process yourself and communicate with the attorney about what you learn. (s)he can advise you on your strategies for being more efficient with your time and efforts. Many problems in your divorce and family law case can be resolved if you take the time to do the research on your own, so doing the research and then discussing it with your limited scope attorney is a win-win. You get to learn more about your case and the law at play while your attorney has the satisfaction of knowing that you are working hard as well.