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Legal Coach for Do-It-Yourselfers
Unbundled Legal Services
The age of information is having its effect upon our traditional legal system. While it is not for everyone, a new method for delivery of legal services is now getting underway in Illinois. In the right situations, lawyers unbundle their services and do only parts of a client's case instead of handling the whole thing. The client does the rest. The lawyer stays "behind-the-scenes" and serves as a coach or consultant. This method is obviously for clients who are concerned about cost and confident in their ability to go it alone. Our office provides this limited service as a supplement to our traditional full-service practice.
These services also come under the heading of ala carte divorce services - (unlike a restaurant, ala carte is definitely NOT more expensive) you pay for only what you want and omit the rest. There is no retainer fee when this method is used. Clients pay as they go and stay in control of their legal costs.
The use of law coaches and unbundled legal services is becoming increasingly more popular in situations where:
- It's a "friendly" divorce and parties want advice on how to get their agreement approved and entered by the court.
- Where the parties have already reached full agreement in mediation and want a lawyer merely to take it to court.
- Where a party does not have a lawyer and wants some legal coaching or piecemeal help: i.e. discovery, financial paperwork, letters, document preparation, negotiation strategies or preparation for depositions and routine (only) court appearances.
- Where a party is about to enter mediation and would like some insight into and tips about the process.
Unbundling of legal services is the practice of law with a fresh, consumer oriented approach. Today's clients have infinite access to legal information, self-help books, computer programs, on-line court forms and all kinds of tips on what to do. They are knowledgeable and inquisitive and demanding regarding their purchase, control, supervision and cost of legal services.
Clients do not sign a retainer agreement and have no commitment to the lawyer. Clients save money and use only the legal services they need or wish to pay for. Many feel that limiting the role of their attorney gives them ownership of their case and increased control over the process and strategy decisions.
Clients do not have to worry about paying a retainer fee.
In this limited-practice or unbundled approach, clients typically use the lawyers for advice on the law (or the legal system) or for ghost writing letters and court pleadings. The lawyer might also assist the client with discovery and in preparing for negotiations, mediation sessions or routine court proceedings.
It is believed that the typical client that is attracted to unbundled legal services is:
- Able to afford a lawyer
- Resourceful
- Self-help oriented
- Has a technical background
- Able to do research (especially on the Internet)
- Concerned that traditional lawyer involvement may do more harm than good.
Click here to view a Sample Limited Legal Services Agreement in Adobe Acrobat Reader Format (PDF).
 (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view.
To download it free click here).
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