| There is a new concept in the legal industry called | | | | one small part of their case - without violating ethical |
| unbundled services. It is largely unknown by lawyers. | | | | rules. Many states have started to adopt rules |
| But it has appeared in the attorney-ethical rules of | | | | recognizing the existence of unbundled services. |
| many states. Most consumers have never heard of it. | | | | The most promising application is for family law |
| Most lawyers still have no idea of what it means. But | | | | services such as divorce, child custody, support, and |
| the influence of this concept may change the future of | | | | property distribution. The reason: more people attempt |
| legal services. | | | | to handle their own family law cases than any other |
| To understand the concept of unbundled services, one | | | | area of law. And the courts are increasing frustrated |
| must have an understanding of the traditional ways | | | | and bogged down with self-represented divorce |
| attorneys handle representation. For most of history an | | | | parties. The need for flexibility and creativity in legal |
| attorney began representation at the beginning of a | | | | service is the most evident in family law cases. |
| case. Representation didn't end until the end of the | | | | Unfortunately, attorneys have been slow to offer |
| case. People needing legal services had two choices: | | | | unbundled services. They are either not aware of this |
| either pay an attorney a fee for the entire case, or go | | | | new trend or have declined to change their service |
| it alone. There was no in-between. It was almost | | | | offerings. The result: over three quarters of family law |
| unthinkable for an attorney to provide help filling out | | | | cases involve people that have not hired an attorney. |
| one form or attending one hearing. It was all or nothing. | | | | There are strong advantages for attorneys that offer |
| There was nothing wrong with this system for those | | | | unbundled services: a larger potential customer base, |
| with the substantial assets needed to pay an attorney. | | | | less collection problems, and the satisfaction of helping |
| But people that did not have much money were out of | | | | lower income clients. |
| luck. | | | | If you cannot afford an attorney, consider searching |
| Many local state bar associations recognized this | | | | for an attorney that will offer different services on an |
| problem. The issue was recently studied by the | | | | "a la cart" basis. This can include preparing the initial |
| American Bar Association. A new concept was borne | | | | divorce documents, attending one hearing, or |
| out of these studies - unbundled services. The basic | | | | participating in mediation. Do it yourselfers can also |
| premise was that some legal advice was better than | | | | enlist the help of an attorney to prep for their final |
| no legal advice. Unbundled services recognized the | | | | hearing. The era of unbundled services has arrived and |
| reality of many consumers - that attorney fees | | | | will ultimately empower the consumer and increase |
| exceeded the financial capability of many. Unbundled | | | | access to the court system. |
| services solved this problem. This concept makes it | | | | Copyright 2006 The Divorce Center P.A. |
| acceptable for an attorney to represent a client for | | | | |