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Family Court

Limited Scope Representation (LSR) is a way that you can use a lawyer to help you, so that the lawyer is helping with only certain parts of your case, as you choose.

1. What are some examples of how to use Limited Scope Representation?
2. What are the benefits?
3. Do courts accept this type of legal assistance?
4. What forms and contracts should I know about?
5. How do I find a lawyer who can help me do LSR?
    

1. What are some examples of LSR?
   
   You and the lawyer can agree that you perform some of the work in your case and the lawyer will do others. For example:

   • You can just consult a lawyer and get legal information and advice about your case when you need it

   • You can hire the lawyer to represent you on certain issues in your case (such as child support and/or custody) while you do the rest yourself

   • You can hire the lawyer to prepare the forms and other court documentation but file them yourself and represent yourself at the hearings

   • You can hire the lawyer to coach you on how to represent yourself at the court hearings and help in the preparation of evidence that you will present in court

   • You can hire the lawyer to help you with the more complicated parts of your case such as discovery and legal research while you do the simpler tasks yourself

   If you chose to handle your case this way, remember that communication and teamwork is the key to success in limited scope representation cases. You must make sure to discuss your legal matter with the attorney in detail and ask questions about issues that are not clear to you. Remember that you and your attorney must have a clear understanding of each others’ assignments.

2. What are the benefits of LSR?
   
   The benefit to you is that you can use your litigation budget best by doing the simpler parts of the case yourself and focusing the attorney’s time on the complicated tasks that you do not think you can do effectively yourself. This way you keep greater control of your case that if the attorney was handling the entire case.
   
   Remember that the attorney has had the education and experience to work on the more technical parts of your case, guide you throughout the court process, and spot important legal issues that you may not see on your own.  

3. Do courts accept this type of legal assistance?
   
   The courts accept this type of legal assistance because it can help self-represented litigants get as much assistance that will protect their rights. An attorney at your side in a limited scope manner will give you an opportunity of covering all bases when you present your case.

4. What forms and contracts should I know about?
   
   There are special forms and service contracts that have to be used by you and your attorney when you agree to limited scope representation. You can always agree to increase or change the scope of representation between the two of you at any time.
   
   A special notice has to be filed in the case to inform the court and the other party of the limited scope representation if the attorney is going to appear in the case for you [Form FL-950, Notice of Limited Scope Representation].

5. How do I find a lawyer who can help me do LSR?
   
   To find an a lawyer who is willing to help you in a limited scope manner, you may contact the Lawyer Referral Service. If you already know a lawyer that you would like to hire, ask him/her about a limited scope representation arrangement.

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