Are you considering representing yourself in your family law case? You might assume that hiring a lawyer means handing over your entire case. In reality, that’s not the only option. Many self represented parties choose to hire a lawyer for limited scope services (also known as unbundled services), such as drafting or reviewing court documents, without the lawyer officially “going on the record” for the whole case.
What “Limited Scope” or “Unbundled” Services Mean
Under the Law Society of Ontario’s rules, lawyers are allowed to offer limited scope (or “unbundled”) legal services. This means you can hire a lawyer to help with specific tasks, such as:
Drafting an Application, Answer, Motion or other court documents
Preparing or reviewing affidavits
Drafting documents to comply with court rules
Giving strategic advice on what to include or leave out
Reviewing documents before filing to spot legal or procedural issues
These services can be quite valuable when dealing with family law matters in Ontario given that the rules about what needs to be filed, how, and when can be confusing even for lawyers, let alone self represented parties.
Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer Just for Document Drafting
Improved Quality & Clarity
A lawyer can ensure your materials are clear and legally sound, increasing your chances of the judge understanding and being persuaded by your position.
Compliance with Court Rules
Family law forms and procedures can be quite strict. Lawyers can help you create documents that follow the Ontario Family Law Rules.
Cost Control
You only pay for the specific service (e.g., document drafting), not full representation. This makes legal help more affordable while still helping you improve your case.
Do All Law Firms Offer This?
Not all law firms provide limited scope services, although an increasing number do. There are various reasons for the limited number of firms that provide unbundled services. One reason is that each individual client's case is worth less financially to the firm or lawyer. Additionally, many lawyers prefer having control of a case in all aspects, rather than only being responsible for a part or parts of it.